A dormer and loft conversion will not be built on a house after the Planning Inspectorate ruled against it. In March this year, applicant Lucy McMahon applied to Bolton Council for planning permission to undertake the works at a property on Forest Drive in Westhoughton . The plans proposed the building of a side dormer and a loft conversion, with associated alterations.
The dormer would have been over eight metres wide and two and a half metres high. But planning officers at Bolton Council recommended that the plans be refused due to the impact on the surrounding area. A report prepared by officers stated: "The dormer represents a significant change in the built character of the area and does not respect the character and identity of the locality in terms of design, siting, and scale, particularly since similarly sized flat roofed dormers are absent in the immediate vicinity.
“The proposed side dormer would cause significant harm to the character and appearance of the existing property and surrounding area and is therefore considered to be unacceptable.” Letters were also received raising concerns about the proposals, citing issues such as the “overly dominant effect on neighbours” and that it was “overlooking and visually intrusive” as well as an “overdevelopment.” The application was denied in May this year.
In July this year, the applicant appealed to the Planning Inspectorate about the council's decision. Now, the agency has dismissed the appeal. Read more.