Appeal lodged against refusal for house extension

A HOMEOWNER is appealing against a decision to refuse planning permission for an extension to his property – and is inviting councillors round to his house to have a look for themselves.

Arrol Maxwell was disappointed when a Dumfries and Galloway Council officer rejected his construction plans for his home in Townhead Park, Collin.

He had hoped to create an extension at the front of the single-storey, detached building in order to create more living space.

However, council planning case officer Lindsey Little refused the application in May this year on the grounds that the extension wouldn’t fit in with the local area.

The officer’s planning report states: “The proposal is considered to be unacceptable due to the prominent siting of the extension to the front of the dwelling and the inappropriate scale and massing arrangement, which cumulatively would be unsympathetic to the character of the existing dwellinghouse and its immediate neighbourhood.”

Townhead Park is a relatively modern residential cul-de-sac, which has a mix of detached and semi-detached one and two-storey houses.

Mr Maxwell’s detached property already has an extension to the rear and a previously integrated garage, which has since been converted into living accommodation.

However, the house sits within a good sized plot, with garden ground to both the front and rear.

The house owner lodged an appeal via the council’s local review body in July, and would like councillors to view the property themselves.

Planning agent John MacColl, from Dumfries, explained that the front of the house was chosen due to the layout of the property and that a large extension already occupies the back garden.

He wrote: “The proposed extension to the front of the house is at a low level, well below the ridge level and enclosed by trees/hedges on the side boundaries and because of this it has no adverse impact on the adjoining properties or the amenity of the area.

“Owners who wish to extend their properties for family reasons and to support the local school numbers should not be prevented from doing so, especially in cases like this where there is absolutely no adverse impact on the adjoining properties or the general amenity of the area.”

He added: “A site visit by the local review body would be helpful in identifying the points raised in the supporting statement which would hopefully assist in providing a favourable decision.”