Council / Councillors give planning consent for house extension on appeal
PLANNING refusal for a house extension in Sandwick has been overturned by councillors.
Shetland Islands Council’s planning committee was unanimous in its decision at a meeting on Wednesday.
Planning permission had been sought for a single storey extension on the front of the Roogistaens house across the road from the Carnegie Hall in Sandwick.
It was refused by the planning department as the officer felt it would not be in keeping with the character of the local area.
However, the applicant appealed, bringing it to the planning committee for councillors’ consideration.
The proposed extension is timber clad and features large glazed windows, and it would contain a living room.
No objections had been received by the council’s planning department – including none from the neighbour living in the adjoining house next door.
But planning officer Jack Wiseman told Wednesday’s meeting that it was felt the extension was “too large for the site” and disproportionate to the surrounding area.
It would have a projection of 4.5m, a width of 5.5m and a maximum height of 3.8m
When asked what criteria is used for a development being out of character, the planning officer highlighted the spaciousness of the site and the proposed extension’s relationship with the house next door.
Agent Ewen Adamson from CASE Shetland said the extension had been carefully designed, and that it would be visually partly obstructed by a wall.
He also felt there was “no distinct style in Sandwick” when it came to buildings.
“It comes down to a subjective call by a planning officer whether it fits in with an area,” Adamson said.
Shetland South councillor Bryan Peterson, who is not a member of the committee but chairs the Sandwick Community Council, also spoke at the meeting.
He said Sandwick Community Council wished to retrospectively speak positively on the application.
During debate all councillors on the committee said they were happy to overturn the original decision.
Shetland West member Mark Robinson moved that planning permission be granted, and he was seconded by central councillor Catherine Hughson.
He felt the proposed extension is “well done”. “I don’t think it’s out of keeping with the rest of the area,” Robinson said.
Committee chairman Davie Sandison said it was his view that development of old properties needs to move on with “modern materials and design”.
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