Issue - meetings

Consideration was given to planning application 25/0865/FUL 2 The Willows, Stockton-on-Tees, TS19 8BD.

Since the writing of the original report, amendments to the submitted drawings were sought to alter the shape of the roof of the proposed single storey flat roof rear extension to become a pitched roof, as per Members decision at the March 2026 planning committee meeting.

The requested changes were made to the applicant’s planning agent, however, instead they have sought to address the matters in an alternative manner, by removing the Juliet balcony to the first-floor rear elevation and replacing it with a fixed window.

Due to the narrow remit of the decision at March 2026 planning committee meeting, the application was being brought before Members for decision on the revised details.

Further consultation with neighbouring residents had taken place, and at the time of writing, 4no objections comments from 3no households had been received. Overall, the further comments made by neighbours were not considered to alter the original recommendation of Approval with Conditions for the application.

Overall, whilst the proposed design choice was not what was recommended by Members, the amendments to the plans, along with the recommended conditions, were considered to suitably mitigate the previous concerns raised in relation to the flat roof potentially being used as a balcony and affecting neighbouring occupiers’ amenity.

The consultees that had been notified and the comments that had been received were detailed within the main report.

Neighbours were notified and the comments received were detailed within the main report.

The planning policies and material planning considerations that were relevant to the consideration of the application were contained within the main report.

The Planning Officers report concluded that in view of the acceptability of the proposed plans and planning mechanisms in place, the application was recommended for approval with conditions as detailed within the main report.

Objectors attended the meeting and were given the opportunity to make representation. Their comments could be summarised as follows:

- Concerns were raised relating to the proposed height of the property as this had now become a 2-storey property with a wrap around extension and did not fit in with the character of the area.

- At a previous planning committee meeting held on 4 March the Planning Committee approved the application with a condition that a low-pitched roof replace the original flat roof, however the new changes meant the roof could potentially be used as a terrace. Had the low-pitched roof been proposed then this would have provided robust mitigation against the roof being used as a terrace as well as overlooking and would have been a permanent safeguard.

- The Committee should hold up the previous decision they made in March 2026.

The applicant’s agent was in attendance and given the opportunity to make representation. Their comments could be summarised as follows:

- The proposed balcony was originally a Juliette balcony and had been replaced by a fixed window which would not provide access to the roof as the glass  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16