Downsizing plans to build apartments in Sheffield suburb refused as “over-development”

Plans were submitted to Sheffield Council to knock down the current building at The White House, on Vicarage Lane, Dore, and replace it with a block of nine apartments with bike storage car parking, a communal garden and landscaping.

It was turned down by five votes to four in a meeting of the planning and highways committee.

In the meeting, Graham Northern spoke in favour of the plans on behalf of the applicant and said: “My client has lived in this property for over 20 years and due to a change in his circumstances, wants to change his home.

“The White House was on the market for two years with very little interest and no offers presented. The general comments were that it was a very dated building and not the type of property people were looking for.

“It is his intention to live in one of the apartments once the development is completed, bearing in mind the proposals have been designed sympathetically to fit in with the surrounding properties to a high standard of quality.”

But most committee members said it was not the right development for the area.

Councillor Andrew Sangar, who voted against the plans, said: “I will be opposing this. I think it’s an over-development of the site, it is much too high. It is at least a storey too high. It’s too blocky and out of keeping with the surrounding area.”

Some disagreed, including Coun Dianne Hurst, who voted in favour and said: “I think this is a reasonable attempt at a development whereby people can downsize from large and expensive properties to manage to make a modern apartment which is cheaper and easier to run but still remain in the location they want.

“I think it’s a positive move towards enabling people to remain in their community while downsizing and for that reason I will be supporting it.”

Ahead of the meeting there were 22 representations made in total, 18 were objections, three supported the plans and one was a neutral comment.

Those objecting included Dore Village Society, ward councillor Colin Ross and neighbours.

In their decision to refuse the application, the committee went against officers’ recommendations which was to approve it.

To read the application in full, go to https://planningapps.sheffield.gov.uk/online-applications/simpleSearchResults.do?action=firstPage

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