More HMOs and solar panels in Swindon's planning applications

Old Town: Members of Swindon Borough Council’s planning committee will discuss a Miss Thomas-Irving’s proposal to convert the offices in the Victorian terraced houses at 26 and 27 Victoria Road into two separate nice-bedroom HMOs.

The conversion will involve three-storey rear extensions being added to the houses.

South Swindon Parish Council has objected to the plan and requested its call-in to the committee at its meeting on Tuesday December 13.

Businesses large and small have been applying to put solar panels on their roof, in an effort to help cut rising energy costs.

Chiseldon: Three Trees Farm Shop and café in The Ridgway has applied to install 131 panels on its roof, supplying the business with 46,000 kilowatt/hours per year.

Gablecross: Internet commerce giant Amazon has been given permission to put more panels on the roof of its enormous warehouse on the A420. The planner's report says less than a third of the roof space has panels at the moment, and that “most of the roof” will now be able to have panels installed. It says only that this will mean “many” panels are used.

Extensions: Applications have been submitted to build extensions to houses, or outbuildings or convert garages and lofts into habitable rooms at: 38 Walcot Road, Old Walcot; 4 Severn Avenue, Haydon Wick; 2 Manor Park, South Marston; 15 Mildmay Close, Grange Park; 15 Pheasant Close, Covinghham; 125 Redhouse Way, Redhouse; and Home Farm, 51 High Street Blunsdon.

Such applications have been approved for: 94 William Street Kingshill; 10 Pilton Close, Nine Elms; 9 Draycott close, Walcot; 44 Church Walk South, Rodbourne Cheney; 6 Folly Crescent, Highworth; 164 Marlborough Road, Lawn; 97 Oxford Road, Stratton St Margaret; 11 Doickle Way, Stratton St Margaret; 157 Upham Road, Old Walcot; 66 Farrfield, Stratton St Margaret; 175 Oxford Road, Stratton St Margaret; 63 The Mall, Old Town; 15 Chives Way, Woodhall Park; 29 Robinson Close, Covingham; 17 Pathfinder Way, Oakhurst, Portquin Cottage, Broad Bush, Blunsdon; 14 Salcombe Grove, Old Walcot and Pippin Cottage, 73 Priors Hill, Wroughton.

Planners have refused the plan put in by Mr T Dosansh  to build a two storey extension to the front of 148 Rodbourne Road. They said: “The introduction of another forward projecting gable, forming a double forward projecting gable, would be an incongruous addition that would be at odds with and uncharacteristic of the street scene.”

The retrospective application by  Miss D Kader, to be allowed to  keep a rear balcony at 154 Whitworth Road has also been refused.

A neighbour and the Central Swindon North Parish Council had objected to the proposal and planners agreed saying: “The proposed wood panelling of the balcony, appears bulky due to the scale of the panelling, the siting and results in a dominating feature, which is far from ‘lightweight’. Balconies are uncharacteristic for the area, particularly temporary-looking  structures such as this.”

Unless she appeals Miss Kader is likely to have to remove the balcony

An equally tough line was taken with Nick Mazzotta’s plan for a new garage and store space at 113 Southbrook Street.  Planners said: “The footprint of the proposed detached garage/ store represents a dominant, bulky form due to the sheer scale of the proposal. In addition, the proposal represents a dominant form in that it extends almost four metres forward of the build line on Southbrook Street.”

Trees: Applications have been put in to work on protected trees, or trees in conservation areas at: the footpath between headland Grove and Dores Road, 8 Kimmeridge Court, Old Town; Miniacre, Mays Lane Chiseldon and Kingscourt, Mount Pleasant Lane, Chiseldon.