Inspector rules against ‘harmful’ changes to roof design

A DEVELOPER with permission to build four houses on the edge of a trading estate in Henley has had an appeal to modify the roof design dismissed.

Knole Homes was granted planning permission in April last year to build four two-storey terraced houses on land on the corner of Newtown Road and Reading Road. The permitted design includes three homes of three bedrooms and one with two, all with parking, bin stores and amenity space.

In February, its application to South Oxfordshire District Council to modify the approved roof design, from mansard to hipped, was refused on the basis that it would result in “significantly increased bulk”.

The developer said the modified design would “improve the architectural appearance of the building and simplify its construction” and provide the buildings with a more “traditional” roof form.

It appealed against the council’s decision in March, arguing the changes to the roof design were “modest and proportionate to the buildings involved” and the increased mass was in keeping with the character and appearance of the area.

The planning inspectorate dismissed the appeal on July 29, saying most of the buildings along Newtown Road feature flat or shallow pitched roof forms, and the design would be harmful to the appearance of the area. In his ruling the planning inspector said that although the modified design resulted in a lower eaves height, it would increase the overall size of the building. He said the “taller and bulkier” appearance would contrast with the prevailing roof designs along Newtown Road.