Neighbour unhappy with extension plan

PLANS to extend a house in Henley have been criticised by a neighbour.

Jeffrey Powell, of Blandy Road, wants to build a first floor extension over his single-storey garage and a single-storey rear extension.

He also plans to replace a roof and build a new open front porch and a rear verandah.

A design and access statement submitted to South Oxfordshire District Council, the planning authority, said the house is in poor condition and needs modernisation to make it suitable as a family home.

It said that the existing roof leaks and, along with the walls, is poorly insulated.

The statement added that the house is “set back” from the road and located on a spacious corner plot.

But Gillian Davies, who also lives in Blandy Road, raised concerns about the impact building work would have if plans were approved.

She also highlighted the potential impact on a resident who lives with a health condition.

In a letter to the district council, she wrote: “We have no objections to the planned design but we do have concerns about the building process.

“Pedestrian access will be blocked by contractors’ vehicles parked partially on the pavement so that it will not be possible to walk two abreast or use a wheelchair.

“This would mean that David Davies, who has rheumatoid arthritis, would have impaired access to the pavement, as would other more frail members of the local community.

“We are seeking assurance that local residents will have full access to the pavement throughout the building process.”

Mrs Davies also raised concerns about potential damage by contractors’ vehicles.

She wrote: “We understand that it is standard practice at the start of a significant contract works to make a photographic record of the site as a condition survey. This establishes a benchmark for making good any damage by the contractor at the end of the works.

“We seek assurance that in any contracts with his builders, [they] would fully cover repair of pavements and kerbs in the larger curtilage, including the stretch from 27 to 29 Blandy Road.

“These problems would not arise if vehicles are parked on the road, not on the pavement.”

She added: “The road is wide enough to allow vehicles to park fully on the road without obstructing vehicular access.”

The Henley Society, a conservation group, said that although it approves of the plans, members were “not happy” with the overall proposal.

Henley Town Council’s planning committee recommended the plans for approval at its meeting held on Tuesday last week .

A final decision will be made by the district council by October 13.