Ovingdean man given permission to extend home despite official objection

An Ovingdean man has been given planning permission to enlarge his bungalow despite the objection of officials.

Nick Childs, of Ainsworth Avenue in Ovingdean, has been permission to extend the first floor of his home, including a front dormer and gable end.

The bungalow will also have Juliet balconies at the rear and windows on the side walls.

The plans are for a part-pitched and part-flat roof with hipped barn ends.

Six neighbours wrote in to support the plans while a neighbour living opposite objected, saying that the design was bulky.

A report to the Brighton and Hove City Council Planning Committee recommended rejecting the application.

It said that the design was uncomplimentary, bulky and included an “incongruous roof”. As a result the bungalow would not be in keeping with surrounding homes.

It added: “The development would break the existing continuity and harmony of the setting and be detrimental to both the visual amenity of the street scene and the existing character of the host property.”

Councillor Graham Cox said that the applicant had made a great deal of effort to fit in with neighbouring properties which were in a variety of styles.

Councillor Carol Theobald, who had been to the site, said that the changes would make an impact but not as much as it would appear from the planning officer’s report.

Councillor Geoff Wells said that he had worked locally as a plumber and knew the area. He said that it was not an incongruous application and other properties were bigger and bulkier.

Councillor Penny Gilbey said that it would fit in with the street scene.

The applicant, Mr Childs, quoted his neighbour’s support and said that at least six neighbours agree and have gone on record to say so.

The application was approved.