A ROW between Barnsley Council’s planning bosses and a couple who have been seeking permission to build an innovative new home has finally been decided on by a government body.
Applicants Chris and Sue Barton submitted their bid to transform a patch of land on Tower Street, Worsbrough, which would have resulted in a four-bedroom ‘passivhaus’ - focused on achieving extremely high energy efficiency - being created.
It was then knocked back by the council, who claimed the plan was not in keeping with the area due to the ‘incongruous materials’ proposed.
The wrangle then resulted in the couple lodging an appeal with the Planning Inspectorate, which has the power to overrule the local authority if the refusal is found unjust.
However, the government body sided with the council and also ruled out the couple’s claim for costs associated with the knocked-back application and their subsequent appeal.
A report, compiled by inspector Jack Smith, said the proposal was ‘alien’ to the area.
“The street-facing elevation would be void of expression except for a small number of windows - as such, the building would turn away from the street scene, with no front door located in a visible position when viewed from Tower Street,” it added.
“This would contrast with the predominant character of active frontages of the properties found in the immediate locality where front access doors are visible from the street scene.
“Taking all of these adverse elements of the proposed design into account, they would be further exacerbated by the elevated position of the proposed dwelling.
“This would subsequently increase the visibility of the building along Tower Street at various points and from positions within Columbia Street to the rear of the appeal site.
“The appellants suggest that these proposals represent a high level of energy efficiency which are innovative.
“When viewed from Tower Street, the modern form of the proposed building would appear unusual and alien, due to its promotion of an unfamiliar roof design and overall shape.
“This form would be a significant departure from the traditional appearance found within the immediate locality.
“On approach to the proposed building, the unfamiliar roof design and alien architectural form of the whole building would be apparent due to the space afforded between the proposed building and the neighbouring property.”
The couple argued that the building would have a high level of efficiency, achieved through its design, construction method and use of materials.
The commitment to achieving a certified passivhaus standard was a matter to which Mr Smith ascribed ‘moderate weight’ in his decision.
“In my overall consideration of the scheme, these benefits are modest.
“They do not outweigh the harm I have found in relation to character and appearance and in providing an appropriate highway access.
“There are no material considerations of such weight or significance before me as to justify a decision otherwise than in accordance with the development plan.
“To conclude, I am not persuaded that the local authority has acted unreasonably in the substantive and procedural matters.
“As such, unnecessary or wasted expense has not been demonstrated - therefore an award of costs on this issue is not justified.”
