46 Grange Road 15/02143/LBC and 15/02143/FUL
I write on behalf of the Grange Association to object to this proposed parking area in front of a grade C listed building within the Grange Conservation Area.
Our reasons for objecting are:-
1.
46 Grange Road used to have an extensive parking area off Lauder Road but the owners chose to give this away when they separated the guest accommodation into a separate house (application 14/02801/FUL). The fact that application 14/02801/FUL did not include a parking area suggests that, at the time, this parking area was not considered necessary.
This must surely still be the case.
2.
The proposed new parking space is quite unnecessary. There is ample residents' parking space directly in front of the house and few houses nearby likely to use those spaces.
3.
The proposed parking area would be in front of the house which is listed.
The Householders’ Guidance specifically says “Parking in front gardens will not normally be allowed …in listed buildings, where loss of original walls or railings and the creation of a hard surface would have an adverse effect on the character and setting of the building and its special
architectural or historic interest”. This would clearly be the case here
(policy Env3).
4.
In describing the special character of the area, the CACA states “The buildings are complemented by the profusion of mature trees, spacious
garden settings, stone boundary walls and green open spaces.” This proposal would remove a tree (policy Env12), reduce the front garden, remove some of the stone garden wall and reduce green open space. It clearly would not enhance or preserve the special character of the area
(policy Env6).
5.
The proposed parking area would be more than 25% of the front garden which is set as the limit in the Householders’ Guidance.
6.
The CACA recommends “The green character of front and side gardens should remain dominant where additional on-site parking is proposed.”
The loss of this much green space would significantly affect the special character of the area (policies Env6 and Env3)
7.
The Listed Building and Conservation Area Guidance states “the loss of
garden ground can seriously affect the setting of a listed building” (policy
Env3).
8.
The proposal would mean the loss of the high section of the original stone wall. This high section of the wall is a particular feature of this house.
Stone boundary walls are characteristic of this conservation area and are highlighted in the Conservation Area Character Assessment. The Listed
Building and Conservation Area Guidance states “However, any proposals to alter unsympathetically, relocate or remove items within the curtilage, such as stables, mews, garden walls, stone steps , stone paving and cobbled or setted areas are likely to detract from the quality of the building’s
setting...” (policies Env3 and Env6).

We urge the Planning Committee to refuse planning permission for this inappropriate proposal.