Controversial plans to significantly extend a house in Blundellsands, described by neighbours as “better placed in Ibiza or Miami” have been refused permission on appeal.
Sefton Council had refused permission last year for the works at the house in The Serpentine North in Blundellsands, which had attracted opposition from neighbours horrified at the plans.
The plans, which were brought to a meeting of Sefton Council’s planning committee last June involved adding one or two storey extensions around each side of the house in an art deco style – alongside building a roof terrace and converting some of the existing garages at the property.
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A petition with 80 signatories objecting to the plans, endorsed by Cllr Diane Roscoe was submitted to the committee, which also received 26 objections from residents.
Concerns included the impact on nearby heritage assets, including neighbouring Blundellsands Hall and a listed drinking fountain opposite the house, as well as fears over the wider effect the development would have on the Blundellsands conservation zone in which the property sits.
Other objections referred to the architectural style of the planned extensions and concerns the roof terrace would overlook neighbouring properties.
17 letters were also received in support of the application, which was recommended for approval by officers.
However, members of the council’s planning committee voted to refuse the application on the grounds that the extent of the remodelling was not in keeping with the original house in terms of size, scale or materials.
A later application, with proposals that reduced the footprint of the extensions to include a two storey extension and rooftop terrace also received objections from local residents but were later approved by Sefton Council in October 2022.
The applicant however had also taken the original application to the planning inspectorate to appeal Sefton Council’s decision.
The planning inspectorate rejected the appeal, stating the application should be refused because it would bring a “significant and harmful change in the character and appearance of the area.”
In a statement to the LDRS about the planning inspectorate’s rejection of the appeal, objectors said they were happy with the decision to refuse, describing the plans as “better placed in Ibiza or Miami”.
A further application has now been submitted to vary the plans approved in October. That application is currently open for comments before planning officers decide the next steps.
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