Bid for new home up 'steep and narrow' Cotswolds lane approved despite dozens of objections

Controversial plans to demolish a garage to make way for a new home in a town on the edge of the Cotswolds have been approved. More than 25 people along with the town council opposed the scheme to redevelop 11 Hunger Hill in Dursley which is up a steep and narrow single track lane.

The existing property is a two-storey, detached house but plans approved by Stroud District Council this week will see a garage demolished and a new two-storey home built on its site. John Rubin, of Dursley Town Council, spoke against the scheme at the development control committee on January 23.

He said the proposals went against their neighbourhood development plan and other planning policies. It would be “overbearing planning” and would impact on neighbouring properties, he also told the committee.

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“The height of the property reaches the chimney pots of number 11 and nearly the ridge of number 7 to 9 Hunger Hill,” he said. “This has an impact on the setting of the views from houses opposite and the rear of those in Harrolds Close.”

He also said construction would cause significant obstruction and potential damage given the width of the lane. “There’s nowhere for parking or turning of building vehicles, construction traffic, heavy plant or deliveries in this single track, steep and narrow lane.”

Nigel Meredith, who lives opposite the site, also spoke against the plans. He said some 27 objections had been lodged against the proposals and explained Hunger Hill is an extremely narrow and steep lane. “

“Any additional dwelling would make this already dangerous situation worse with more car use on a road with restricted width, no passing place and no footpath,” he said.

He also said the new home would limit light on nearby properties. The applicant’s agent who spoke in favour of the new home.

He said the aim was to create a sustainable and affordable home which is sympathetic to the surrounding area. “This site is not in a conservation area, it’s not in the area of outstanding natural building and it’s not near a listed building,” he said.

More than 25 people along with Dursley Town Council opposed the scheme to redevelop 11 Hunger Hill which is up a single track, steep and narrow lane.

“The application seeks demolition of the existing garage to provide the space to build a new dwelling to the side of 11 Hunger Hill.”

He explained it would be built with natural stone to be in keeping with the nearby homes and would use modern methods of construction. Councillor Gary Luff (G, Painswick and Upton) proposed approving the scheme but agreed it was not a perfect proposal.

“It affects other people, construction is difficult but we have a sustainably built designed house in a very sustainable location and we have a presumption in favour of sustainable. This is sustainable development.”

The committee voted to approve the scheme by nine votes to two.

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