Plans to amend an approved extension at a home in Penrith have been approved by councillors despite objections from Penrith Town Council over concerns about overlooking.
The application for changes to an already approved extension at 2 Frenchfield Way was considered by the Eden Area Planning Committee at Penrith Leisure Centre because planning officers had recommended approval, contrary to the town council’s objection.
The proposal sought a variation to a previously approved scheme for a two-storey rear and side extension with a first-floor balcony. Amendments included widening a west-facing first-floor bedroom window, enlarging a bathroom window, removing a ground-floor window and a rooflight, adding two flush floor lights within the balcony area, installing a 1.8-metre-high obscure glazed privacy screen and introducing quoin-style detailing to better match the existing property.
Officers advised there would be no increase in the building’s height, footprint or overall scale compared with the scheme already granted permission.
One neighbouring resident objected, raising concerns that widening the bedroom window and using the balcony could result in a loss of privacy for their property located across Frenchfield Way. The town council also objected on similar grounds, citing fears that the revised glazing and balcony arrangement could intensify overlooking towards homes on the other side of the road.
Committee members were told that a first-floor bedroom window in the same position had already been approved under an earlier permission, and that the current proposal only increased its width rather than introducing a new opening. Planning officers said the separation distance between the properties was approximately 29.7 metres, exceeding the commonly accepted 21-metre guideline for facing first-floor windows, and noted that the homes are positioned at an angle rather than directly opposite each other.
Members also heard that the revised balcony design included a full-height obscure glazed privacy screen intended to prevent direct views towards neighbouring properties.
Councillors voted unanimously to support the amendments and grant planning permission, subject to conditions, allowing the revised design at Frenchfield Way to proceed.
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