COUNCILLORS went against officer recommendations in delegating for approval plans to build a four-storey block of flats at Station Road, Horsham.
The building at 7 Station Road would contain 11 flats and have six parking spaces, members of Horsham District Council’s development management committee heard on Tuesday.
Officers recommended refusal due to overdevelopment and the detrimental effect on the street scene.
A previous application for a three-storey building with just two parking spaces had been approved but the applicant said the flats were small and the design of the building was unsuitable for the area so ‘subtle adjustments’ had been made.
David Holmes (LDem, Horsham Park) noted objections to the plans but said they were restricted by the decision made on the previous application, with fewer parking spaces and a building of similar height.
“If we reject this tonight I personally have no doubt it would win on appeal with no opportunity to place conditions,” he said.
He was concerned about ‘severe congestion’ of traffic and parking in the area but if they rejected the plan the previous one could go ahead.
He proposed they delegated the decision with a view to approval so consideration could be given to the building design, parking arrangements, flooding and legal agreement contributions.
Frances Haigh (LDem, Horsham Park) felt there was no need for more housing in that area but on balance she would choose the new plan against the old one.
Malcolm Curnock (LDem, Broadbridge Heath) was concerned for the safety of pedestrians where vehicles would emerge at the back of the station.
Ian Howard (Con, Southwater) said there was an improvement in the number of parking spaces but he was concerned about the outside view of the building.