Politics & Council · Swindon
Kingsdown home extension approved despite road safety and scout group concerns
By Swindon Now Editorial Team · Published
Swindon Borough Council has granted permission for a home extension on Retingham Way, placing strict conditions on the developer following objections from neighbours and local Scouts.
Planning permission has been granted for a property extension at 2 Retingham Way in Kingsdown, Swindon, despite local opposition regarding the impact on highway safety and a nearby scout hut.
The approved application includes plans for both a two-storey side extension and a single-storey front extension. The project, which was referred to the Swindon Borough Council planning committee by Councillor Marco Di Pinto, faced six formal objections from neighbours, as well as concerns from the 1st Stratton St Margaret Scout Group.
The primary focus of the opposition centred on the property's location near the junction of Windbrook Meadow. Objectors raised fears that the construction and subsequent occupancy could lead to increased on-street parking and traffic congestion at a vital access point for the Kingsdown Park development.
Addressing the planning committee, Councillor Di Pinto noted, "My principal concern relates to parking and highway safety. This property sits directly opposite the junction with Windbrook Meadow, which serves as the only vehicular access into and out of the wider Kingsdown Park development. It is absolutely paramount that this junction remains clear and free from obstruction at all times."
The 1st Stratton St Margaret Scout Group also expressed concerns regarding the safety of young people, noting that increased pavement parking in the vicinity could create hazards. Residents called for an enhanced Construction Management Plan to mitigate these risks, including bans on construction activity during evenings, weekends, and Bank Holidays.
Despite these objections, council planning officers concluded that the extension is modest in scale and would not cause unacceptable harm to the character of the street or neighbouring properties. The Local Highway Authority raised no objection, provided that specific conditions were met.
The planning committee has granted approval subject to a set of strict requirements:
Development must be completed using specified external facing materials.
The property must not be occupied until all designated parking facilities have been completed on-site.
Space must be laid out and made available for the secure and sheltered storage of at least two bicycles before the residence is occupied.
The council confirmed that the new window placements, including a rear-facing bathroom window, would not lead to an unacceptable increase in overlooking of the scout hut. While concerns about construction noise were noted, officials stated that the project would not result in a material change to the use of the dwelling.
Source: Swindon Advertiser - Lifestyle · View original