Telford bungalows built 10 inches higher than allowed given permission to stay

Developers who built two bungalows in Telford nearly 10 inches higher than approved have been allowed to keep the ground level changes, despite objections.

Residents and St George’s and Priorslee Parish Council objected to the retrospective application from Ashlee Homes for the properties in Freeston Avenue, St Georges.

There had been concerns about flooding on the site, leading to one resident accusing Telford & Wrekin Council of failing “for months to take enforcement action or adequately address” issues.

Permission has already been given to change the bungalows into children’s care homes following a planning battle.

The resident added: “Local residents therefore feel ignored and unprotected by this lack of response.

“This application should be refused, and appropriate enforcement measures taken.”

Council planners responded by confirming that enforcement officials had been involved but “no formal enforcement notice has been served.”

They added that whilst the application is retrospective it would “not be reasonable to oppose development on those grounds.”

Planners added “Whilst work has regrettably taken place which deviated away from the earlier approval, the local planning authority consider the scheme put forward provides mitigation measures to resolve the issues raised and are satisfied that the measures are sufficient.”

Concerns about flooding were shared by the council’s own drainage official who had initially objected to the application.

They later accepted an applicant’s scheme for dealing with water run off.

An objector claimed that the elevated ground level caused water to run into neighbouring properties. They were worried about it being made worse in winter.

Planners have now approved the plans with seven conditions.

The conditions include having a retaining wall, an approved drainage scheme and adequate vehicle space, to avoid congestion and to protect the amenities of the area.

Planners concluded that the changes “are considered to be acceptable” and that the level of change is considered to be “negligible”.

Over flooding concerns a previously approved drainage scheme was amended to include a gully, which alongside a drain to the north “will collect the surface water more effectively from the access road.

“After much discussion with the applicant, the council’s drainage officer is satisfied that the solution put forward will minimise any risk of flooding on site and therefore can support the scheme, subject to a condition that the additional drainage infrastructure is installed prior to the occupation of the buildings,” the planners write.

They added that as the dwellings are bungalows, the increase in the finished floor levels would have “negligible impact and no direct overlooking from habitable rooms would occur.”

They concluded that it would result in no significant detrimental harm or direct overlooking.