People living on a Mansfield street are divided on whether a a two-storey extension to one of the houses on it should go ahead. Plans have been submitted for an extension to the south western side of a property on Budby Avenue, along with a single storey extension to the rear of the house and the demolition of its garage.
The proposals will be discussed at a meeting of Mansfield District Council's planning applications committee, but concerns have already been raised by some neighbours. The council says it has received objections from two properties as well as a letter signed by 11 people, with concerns including the loss of light for some properties and an "adverse impact on the street scene."
April Troop, 32, is one of those living on Budby Avenue who has no objections to the plans. She said: "I think that they need to do it because they've got a growing family and I think it just makes sense for them.
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"It won't impinge on my life and with the way the housing market is, I can completely see why they would do this instead of trying to move. I know there have been concerns from some but I think a lot of the people on the street feel the same way as we do."
The two storey extension would comprise of a play room, utility room and toilet on the ground floor, with a shower room being located on the first floor level. The separate extension to the rear of the property would provide additional living space.
Amendments have already been made to the originally submitted application, including the relocation of the bathroom and the provision of three car parking spaces. On the issue of parking, a report from a Mansfield District Council planning officer says: "As the proposal would increase the number of bedrooms to five, the required number of car parking spaces would be three.
"With the loss of the garage space, there would be one existing space remaining in front of the garage. Amended plans show that the area in front of the house can provide an additional two spaces, thereby creating the required three car parking spaces.
"Creating these two additional spaces would require the demolition of the front boundary wall and the removal of the front hedge. Whilst this would be a change to the appearance of this part of the street it would not require planning permission to be carried out.
"It is also noted that there is on-road car parking available along Budby Avenue. There is therefore no objection to the proposal on car parking or highway safety grounds."
But some residents of Budby Avenue did express their concerns about the plans. David Gelsthorpe, 81, has lived in his property for around 50 years and said: "I was totally against it initially but I do understand both sides of the argument.
"I know that adjoining properties are concerned about a loss of light and if I were to put myself in their position I would totally understand why they were worried about that. But I also know that the family need to extend because they've got children.
"The issue is that it can't be at the expense of everyone else, because some of the people on this street have lived here for a very long time. In the end I fell down the side of opposing the argument but I shan't be going to the planning meeting.
"I don't suppose for one minute that things would get nasty, but when you see everything that happens in the world today you've got to think about how people might react. I can still see both sides but I think these things have got to be done properly."
Despite receiving concerns from some, Mansfield District Council's recommendation is for the plans to be approved. This would be based on several conditions being followed, including that the car parking spaces would be provided within six months of work being complete and that the whole development starts within three years.
The council's planning officer says: "The proposed two storey side extension would not have a significantly adverse impact upon the appearance and character of this part of Budby Avenue. It is assessed that there would be no significant harm resulting from the proposed two storey side and single storey extensions on the amenity of neighbouring residential properties."
Summarising the comments received in support of the application, the council says: "The proposed side extension does not stand out from the front of the house, does not encroach on the building line, and so will be invisible until level with the building." The meeting of the planning applications committee will take place from 6pm on Tuesday, August 30.
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