Why councillors refused disabled woman’s plan plea

A PLANNING chief has explained why a disabled woman’s application for a conservatory bedroom was turned down despite her having the support of more than 40 neighbours.
Cllr Tony McCarthy, chairman of Warrington’s development management committee said: “The committee had sympathy for the applicant but it was a difficult one.
“It was the sort of application that tugs at your heartstrings.  But the Government’s advice is that an applicant’s personal circumstances seldom outweigh more general planning considerations.”
It was the second time Mrs Christine Tickle’s retrospective application for the conservatory at her home in Warren Road, Appleton, had been refused.
An appeal has been made against the first refusal and the result is expected around the end of January or beginning of February.
Cllr McCarthy said: “It may be that the inspector who hears the appeal decides to overturn the committee’s decision, in which case the conservatory will be able to stay as it is.
“But although the committee had great sympathy with the applicant, we have to draw the line somewhere. If we approve one such application, what do we say to the next one.
“After the first refusal we suggested that the glass walls be replaced with brickwork. But the applicant did not want to do that.”
Planning officers had recommended the scheme be refused, despite hear that the applicant’s GP had informed the council that the applicant had multiple medical problems, was significantly disabled and as a result, had difficulty climbing the stairs to go to bed.
The conservatory had been added to provide a ground floor bedroom.
But officers said the conservatory was highly visible on the street scene and failed to harmonise with the original building.
“The conservatory appears overly prominent and incongruous with the character of the area to the detriment of wider visual amenity,” they said.
Although the personal circumstances of an applicant could be considered, the Government’s advice was that they seldom outweigh more general planning considerations.
Neighbours and local councillor Judith Wheeler supported the applicant and claimed the development had no detrimental impact on the area.