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LP/65/2006 |
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LANDS TRIBUNAL ACT 1949
RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS -
modification
-
dwelling
houses
-
restrictions
preventing erection
of
more
than
one
dwelling
house
on
each
of
two
adjoining
plots
-
application
to
modify to
permit
not
more
than
two
additional
dwellings
in
existing
rear
gardens
-
whether
restrictions secured
practical
benefits
of
substantial
value
or
advantage
-
whether
modification
would
cause injury
-
application
refused
-
Law
of
Property
Act
1925
S84(1)(aa)
and
(c).
IN THE MATTER OF AN
APPLICATION UNDER SECTION 84 OF THE LAW OF PROPERTY ACT
1925 |
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by
(1) GERALD GEORGE
DAVIES
(2) BARBARA
DAVIES
(3) THOMAS GEORGE
SHEEHAN
(4) CATHERINE
BIRRELL SHEEHAN |
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Re: Land at rear
of
27 and 29 Highbury
Crescent
Camberley
Surrey
GU15
1JZ |
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Before: N J Rose FRICS
Sitting at Procession House, 110 New Bridge Street, London,
EC4V 6JL
on 25 July 2008 |
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Dr Thomas Sheehan for himself and
the other applicants with permission of the Tribunal Dr Robert Crossley
for himself and the other objectors with permission of the
Tribunal
The following case is referred to in this
decision:
Re Glevum Estates (Western Counties) Ltd LP/53/1972,
[18 December 1973], unreported
© CROWN COPYRIGHT 2008
1 |
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DECISION
Introduction
1. This is an
application by Mr Gerald Davies, Mrs Barbara Davies, Dr Thomas Sheehan and
Mrs Catherine Sheehan under section 84(1) of the Law of Property Act 1925.
The applicants seek the modification of restrictive covenants affecting
freehold land containing two dwelling houses known as 27 and 29 Highbury
Crescent, Camberley, Surrey, GU15 1 JZ so as to permit the construction of
not more than two additional dwellings in parts of the existing rear
gardens.
2. The
application site is affected by four restrictive covenants. The first was
imposed by a conveyance dated 20 August 1930 between Rosamond Austin and
Mary Winifred Hele (the Vendors) and Gladys Mary Johnson, Doris Straker
Johnson and William Henry Johnson (the Purchasers). By Clause 5 of that
conveyance the Purchasers covenanted
“For the benefit of the Vendors
and their successors in title owners and occupiers of the land now
belonging to the Vendors living on the opposite side of the road fronting
the property hereby conveyed the Purchasers herein to the intent and so
that the restrictive covenants hereinafter contained shall be binding on
the part of the said land and premises hereby assured into whosesoever
hands the same may come ... that the Purchasers and the persons deriving
title under them will not at any time hereinafter erect or permit to be
erected on the land hereby conveyed more than four houses which shall be
of less value than One Thousand Pounds exclusive of buildings and no pairs
or other than wholly attached residences shall be built on the said land
...”
3. On 22
March 1957 the President of the Lands Tribunal, Sir William FitzGerald QC,
modified this restriction so as to permit the erection of a total of 32
houses on the land the subject of the 1930 conveyance and an extension of
it. It is apparent from the President’s decision that the plans and layout
of the 32 houses had been approved by the local authority. In fact, the
development which was eventually carried out on the site consisted of 34
detached houses. It is not clear whether any formal consents were granted
for the additional houses. In any event, 34 detached houses were erected
in a cul-de-sac development now known as Highbury Crescent. They have
remained there, apparently without challenge, for many years.
4. The second
restriction was imposed by a transfer dated 30 June 1969 between Arthur
Frederick Instone and Mary Elizabeth Perring (the Transferors) to William
Harry Hitchcock and Robert Lippett (the Transferees). The Transferees
covenanted
“Not to fell any trees hereby
transferred except such as may become dead or
dangerous.” |
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No copy of the 1969 transfer was
produced. The extent of the land affected by the 1969 transfer is not
clear, but this uncertainty does not appear to be material in the context
of the current application.
5. The third
restriction was imposed by a transfer of 27 Highbury Crescent dated 18
January 1971 between William Harry Hitchcock, Henry Arthur Roberts and
Robert Lippett (the Transferors) and two of the current applicants, Mr and
Mrs Davies (the Transferees).
6. The fourth
restriction was imposed by a transfer dated 23 April 1971 between William
Harry Hitchcock, Henry Arthur Roberts and Robert Lippett (the Transferors)
and James Bond and Barbara Bond (the Transferees). This transfer related
to 40 Highbury Crescent, which is now known as No.29 and is owned by Dr
and Mrs Sheehan.
7. Both the 1971 transfers contained the
following covenant by the transferee
“so as to bind the land hereby
transferred into whosesoever hands the same may come and to benefit the
remainder of the said estate or any part thereof that the transferee will
observe and perform the restrictions and stipulations set out in the Third
Schedule hereto”.
It is apparent from the transfers
that the land with the benefit of this restriction is the Highbury Park
Estate, consisting of the 34 detached houses forming Highbury
Crescent.
8. The covenants in the Third Schedule
were as follows:
“Not to do or suffer or permit to
be done any act upon the land hereby transferred which shall cause
annoyance to the owners or occupiers for the time being of any part of the
said estate.
Not to use the property hereby transferred otherwise than as a
private dwelling house.
Not to fell any trees growing on
the land hereby transferred except such as may become dead or dangerous
and to replace any such trees which may be felled with trees of a similar
type”.
9. The
modification of these restrictions sought by the applicants would allow
the erection of not more than two further dwelling houses on the site of
Nos.27 and 29. No planning permission has been granted for such
development. The applicants, however, have provided the following details
of the development which they envisage. The house or houses would be
behind Nos.27 and 29 and would not border the existing Highbury Crescent.
The house or houses would front Portsmouth Road (A325). The house or
houses would be of a similar height to the existing houses in Highbury
Crescent. The effect of the sloping site would be that the ridge height or
heights of the proposed house or houses would be lower than those of
Nos.27 and 29. All services and access to the house or houses would be
obtained from Portsmouth Road. |
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10. All the
objectors to the current application occupy houses in Highbury Crescent.
They are all paid-up members of the Highbury Park Estate Preservation
Group, which was formed to pursue objections to the proposed
modifications. They are:
Mr and Mrs Bains (No.1); Mr and
Mrs Nokes (No.3); Mr and Mrs Muriss (No.4); Mrs Sait (No.5); Mr Ford
(No.8); Mr and Mrs Singh (No.11); Mr and Mrs Sussex (No.12); Mrs Johnston
(No.13); Mr and Mrs Stevens (No.14); Mr and Mrs Morris (No.16); Mr and Mrs
Willmott (No18); Mr Griffiths (No.19); Dr and Mrs Crossley (No.20); Mr and
Mrs Young (No.21); Mr and Mrs Hughes (No.22); Mr and Mrs Watson (No.24);
Mr and Mrs Gooding (No.25); Mr and Mrs Luckett (No.26); Mr and Mrs Bath
(No.34); Mr and Mrs Halliday (No.36); Mr Chown and Mrs Barr
(No.38).
11. With one
exception the applicants accept that the objectors are entitled to the
benefit of the restrictions. They suggest that Mrs Sait is not so
entitled, because she has sold her house. They also say that Mr Willmott
and Dr Singh have not submitted notice of objection forms. These gentlemen
did not register as private objectors, although they joined the
Preservation Group. Since the Group does not itself have a legal
entitlement to the protection of the restrictions, Mr Willmott and Dr
Singh are not formal objectors to this application. Mrs Sait, on the other
hand is a formal objector, since she is entitled to the benefit of the
restriction, she has submitted a valid notice of objection and, at the
date of the hearing, she had not completed the sale of her property. Dr
Sheehan appeared for all four applicants with permission of the Tribunal
and gave evidence. Dr Crossley appeared for all the objectors with
permission of the Tribunal and gave evidence. He also called Mr Gooding
and Mr Muriss as witnesses of fact.
12. I inspected the
application site and the immediately surrounding area on 24 July 2008 in
company with representatives of the applicants and the
objectors.
Facts
13. From the
evidence and my site inspection I find the following facts. The town of
Camberley was largely established to provide services and facilities for
the adjacent military staff college and military academy at Sandhurst.
Numerous substantial houses were erected in the locality in generous
grounds to provide accommodation for military staff and for retired senior
military officers. Smaller houses were constructed in and around the town
and nearby for tradesmen.
14. In the 1950s
Camberley became one of a number of towns that entered into arrangements
with London boroughs to move businesses and their employees out of the
capital. Large municipal housing estates were constructed in Camberley and
nearby in Frimley, Frimley Green and Mytchett. Ready road access to London
via the London Road (A30) together with a rail link resulted in
significant private housing development, particularly during the 1960s to
1990s. Ease of access to Heathrow Airport resulted in Camberley becoming
an attractive location for airline staff. Since the 1990s the further
residential expansion of Camberley has been largely confined to the
redevelopment of existing mainly residential properties and infill
development. |
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15. The Highbury
Crescent development is situated on the north-west side of Portsmouth
Road, a short distance south-west of the junction with the A30. It was
constructed between 1968 and 1970 and comprises 34 detached houses of
broadly similar size and design. It is a cul-de-sac, running in a westerly
direction for a short distance from Portsmouth Road and then turning
south. It includes two amenity areas surrounded by roads. The larger of
these is situated roughly in the middle of the estate and contains a group
of trees protected by a tree preservation order (TPO). The TPO also
relates to all trees of various species and condition within two areas
extending along a major part of the boundaries of the estate. It includes
some of the trees which would be felled if the development proposed by the
applicants were to proceed.
16. Nos.27 and 29
Highbury Crescent presently stand on a wedge shaped site at the southern
end of the road. The total site area is some 0.264 hectares, bounded to
the east by Portsmouth Road and to the west by Gibbett Lane. The existing
properties each have a curtilage that is significantly larger than most in
Highbury Crescent. The application site itself has an area of 0.12
hectares. If it were sold off separately, the rear gardens of No.27 and 29
would be reduced to a depth of 13.5m.
17. In November 2003
a planning application was submitted on behalf of Dariston Land and
Development, proposing the demolition of Nos.27 and 29 and the erection of
12 two-bedroom flats. The application was withdrawn in February 2004. Two
revised applications for a broadly similar development project were
submitted in March 2004. The application plans indicated the erection of a
three-storey building of contemporary style, with accommodation at second
floor level contained within the roof space, positioned in the same
general location as the existing houses. The proposed flats were shown to
be served via a new access from Portsmouth Road, the existing accesses
from Highbury Crescent being closed off. As a result of the failure of the
local planning authority to determine one of the duplicate planning
applications within the statutory period an appeal was lodged with the
planning inspectorate. The second application was presented to the
Council’s planning committee, which resolved that planning permission be
refused. The appeal was subsequently withdrawn.
The evidence
18. Prior to the
hearing the applicants submitted two expert reports, one on planning and
the other on market value. Neither expert was called to give oral evidence
because, Dr Sheehan said, the objectors had failed to produce any expert
evidence of their own to support their case.
19. The applicants’
approach to the production of expert evidence demonstrates a
misunderstanding of the nature of proceedings under s.84(1). The objectors
are entitled to the benefit of the restrictions. If the applicants are to
secure the modification of those restrictions, they must persuade the
Tribunal that the provisions of one or both of the grounds upon which they
rely - that is, paras (aa) and (c) - are satisfied and that the Tribunal should exercise
its discretion to modify. This is the case even if there are no objections
to the application. |
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20. In the event Dr
Crossley chose to consider in some detail the matters raised in the two
expert report. For that reason only it is appropriate that I summarise the
expert opinions expressed.
21. Mr Michael
Gilfrin Dip TP, MRTPI is the founding partner of MGA Town Planning and
Development Consultants of Lightwater. He considered that the access to
any development on the application site would be located on the outside of
a gentle bend in Portsmouth Road and would benefit from generous
visibility sight lines in both directions along that road. It was likely
that planning permission could be obtained for one or two detached houses,
either from the local planning authority or the planning inspectorate on
appeal. Since the existing houses, Nos.27 and 29, would be retained, and
since the proposed development would be substantially screened from view
from Highbury Crescent, the impact on the street scene would be minimal,
in clear contrast to that of the originally proposed block of flats. The
erection of one or two houses would involve the removal of some trees, but
this would have a limited impact on the locality and no impact on the
character and appearance of Highbury Crescent.
22. Ground levels
fell in a southerly direction from the end of Highbury Crescent. It was
therefore likely that any house or houses erected on the application site
would be of the same height or minimally higher to the roof ridge than the
existing properties Nos.27 and 29, depending upon building design and the
roof pitch. The bulk of the proposed houses would only impact upon the
occupiers of Nos.27 and 29, since the new properties would be visible
above any new boundary fence separating the existing and proposed
development. It was likely that limited overshadowing would occur to the
rear gardens of both properties, since the new development would be
located immediately to the south. The majority of the houses in Highbury
Crescent faced in an east-west direction, with main living rooms, kitchens
and bedrooms facing garden areas to the front and rear of each property.
The occupiers of these properties would not be able to see any development
constructed on the application site from their houses or gardens. The
development might just be seen if one looked at the site from the southern
end of the footway and carriageway of Highbury Crescent. Because of the
orientation of existing houses, existing site features including trees,
and the separation of the application site from other properties in
Highbury Crescent, the visual amenities and outlook enjoyed by the
occupiers of such properties would not affected.
23. Access to the
application site would be solely from Portsmouth Road. It was anticipated
that any planning permission to develop the application site would require
the construction of an access from Portsmouth Road prior to any other
works being undertaken. Thus, the occupiers of properties in Highbury
Crescent would not be affected by construction works associated with site
clearance and the subsequent erection of one or two detached houses. All
services would be secured from Portsmouth Road. When development was
completed future vehicular activity associated with residential occupation
would similarly have no impact upon the residents in Highbury
Crescent.
24. The proposed
house or houses would be of a size similar to the existing houses in
Highbury Crescent, albeit they would front on to and be served from
Portsmouth Road. They would be in character with other residential
properties fronting this part of Portsmouth Road, |
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which had been affected by a
number of recently erected flat developments. The proposed house or houses
would probably be a minimum of 50m from any dwelling on the east side of
Portsmouth Road, from which they would be screened by existing well
established trees and shrubs, including trees on the frontage of the
application site. The proposed development would have no impact upon the
outlook, amenities and privacy enjoyed by the occupiers of such
properties, located on land which was once part of the substantial
residential curtilage to Beaufront, a large Edwardian house. Nor would the
proposed development have any impact upon the occupiers of properties on
the west side of Gibbett Lane and to the west of the application land,
since they enjoyed views away from the site, and were well screened by
trees and hedges.
25. Mr A P
Gribbon MRICS, IRRV is a partner in Gribbon and Pelham of Camberley. He
said that, at the time of his site inspection, he had considered the
likelihood that the occupiers of dwellings with the benefit of the
restriction might be able to see the proposed new houses. At worst, the
roof line together with the upper part of the side flank wall to one
property might be seen from the footway and carriageway to Highbury
Crescent. They would not be visible from any of the properties within that
road. The proposed development would cause no material visual impairment
to any of the dwellings in Beaufront Road, on the east side of Portsmouth
Road.
26. The new house or
houses might be seen in part from some dwellings fronting Portsmouth Road,
namely Nos.17 and 21 and a flat development known as The Laurels. The same
applied to a further property with no obvious numbering, but which he took
to be No.23. All these properties had the benefit of tree screening. All
were in an existing urban area and they mainly had an outlook over other
dwellings. Assuming that a tree screen were retained to Portsmouth Road
(which Mr Gribbon understood to be the applicants’ intention) no
significant visual impairment to those dwellings would be caused by the
proposed development.
27. On the
assumption that the development of the application site would restricted
to two two-storey dwellings “of appropriate size”, Mr Gribbon considered
that the modification of the restriction would have no adverse effect on
the market value of any of the properties having the benefit of the
restrictions.
28. Dr Sheehan made
the following additional points. The purpose of the application was to
enable the construction of two dwelling houses. There was no intention to
erect flats. The proposed development had been carefully planned to avoid
any disturbance to the residents of Highbury Crescent. Some residents
fully agreed with the proposal and understood the benefit to them of
removing “a plot of wasteland” and preventing the erection of a block of
flats on the application site. Only two members of the Group had taken the
trouble to inspect the plans of the proposed development. The visual
appearance of Highbury Crescent had changed as a result of the
construction of extensions and alterations to the frontage of many of the
existing dwellings. If the proposed modification were granted only one or
two dwelling houses could be erected, whatever the local planning
authority decided. |
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29. Dr Crossley said
that he had retired ten years ago as Rector of St Paul’s Church,
Camberley. He and his wife had chosen to move to Highbury Crescent, which
was a “precious oasis of peace in a busy, noisy environment”. It was
possibly the only estate in Camberley with the benefit of mutual
restrictive covenants. It was unique in the area. All the houses were of
similar age and style. There were mature trees and grass in the middle of
the road. Children could play safely there, since virtually the only
traffic belonged to residents or visitors. The character of the estate had
been retained because of the existence of the restrictive covenants and
the Lands Tribunal decision in 1957. Dariston had confidently proceeded
with their planning appeal until they discovered the existence of the
covenants. Had a block of flats been built in the site of Nos.27 and 29,
the damage to the estate would have been incalculable. In the absence of
detailed planning permission for the proposed development it was not
possible to form a realistic conclusion as to what any modification might
entail in practice. The number of trees to be felled would depend on the
number of properties to be built and their position on the site. In any
event, the reference to the removal of 17 trees did not appear to take
into account the trees which would need to be felled in order to create
the proposed corridor for access from Portsmouth Road. Without more
information it was not possible to be sure whether the felling of trees or
the height of the development would have an impact on Highbury Crescent
visually, or in terms of noise, or cause other injury, loss of privacy or
loss of character or have other adverse effects on other property owners.
The necessary detailed information could only be obtained with the benefit
of a detailed planning permission. Most of the trees which it was proposed
to retain behind Nos.27 and 29 were very large and situated outside the
applicants’ ownership. They were all very close to a gas substation. There
was a risk that they too would need to be felled if their roots were shown
to be interfering with the substation. Whilst the views of the applicants’
experts were to be respected, they were only opinions. They were based on
assumptions, which might or might not prove to be justified. The
application site formed part of the rear gardens of No.27 and 29. If it
were fenced in it would provide very attractive garden land for which
there would be great demand. No rear gardens in Highbury Crescent could
properly be described as “wasteland”.
30. Dr Crossley
added that the existing covenants had provided a valuable benefit to all
properties in Highbury Crescent, including Nos.27 and 29, by preserving
the essential character and privacy of the road; they ought not to be
tampered with. Any modification would be bound to set a precedent. It was
inevitable that it would increase the pressure to allow similar changes in
the future, which could potentially destroy the nature of the road and its
environment. The objectors had purchased their properties with the benefit
of the restrictions. It would be unfair if they had to continue to live in
apprehension of further modifications. A large majority of the residents
in Highbury Crescent had contributed to the legal costs incurred by the
Group in objecting to the application. They did not want the covenants to
be changed.
31. In the course of
cross-examination Dr Crossley accepted that, if extensions were added to
the existing houses at Nos.27 and 29, the view of the trees from Highbury
Crescent might be removed.
32. Mr Murris lives
at 4 Highbury Crescent. He said that his house was immediately next door
to No.2, which was the first house on the right as one entered the road
from Portsmouth Road. The site of No.2 was one of the largest plots in the
road. It was owned by an estate |
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agent. A block of flats had been
erected 100 yards further along Portsmouth Road. Discussions about a
further flats development had taken place with the owners of the three
houses lying between No.2 and the existing blocks of flats. Those
discussions had not yet proved fruitful and the three houses were not part
of the Highbury Crescent building scheme. Nevertheless, one could not rule
out the possibility that, in the future, an attempt would be made to erect
another large block of flats on a site which included part or all of the
site of No.2. Mr Murris did not know whether a developer would decide to
apply to the Tribunal for a further modification to permit such
development. Such an application, however, was more likely to be made if
the present application succeeded and the Tribunal’s decision could then
be cited as a precedent. A block of flats at the entrance to the estate
would have a serious effect on its amenities.
33. Trees were an
important part of the estate’s character. They formed a curtain round it,
protecting the privacy of the residents. The proposed new access from
Portsmouth Road would break this boundary and destroy the unity of design
achieved by the original architect. The current overgrown state of the
application site was the result of the approach adopted by the applicants.
Some trees have been felled but not replaced, although the TPO required
their replacement.
34. Mr Gooding lives
at No.25 Highbury Crescent, immediately adjoining No.27. He said that his
peace of mind had been disturbed by the original proposal to build flats
on Nos.27 and 29 and by the threat that he might be responsible for costs
if his current objection failed. He could not afford professional
representation in presenting his objection at the hearing. If Nos.27 and
29 could be developed together, there was a risk that other adjoining
properties could follow. He should have been in France on his employer’s
business, but had had to take time off work to attend the hearing. The
application had caused him considerable stress. He had not inspected the
plans of the proposed development at the location suggested by the
applicants, because the owner of No.36 had prepared copies of the plans
for him and other residents.
35. In response to
some of the matters raised by the objectors, Dr Sheehan made the following
additional observations. There was no risk of a further application to
erect flats on the application site. It was impossible to obtain insurance
cover for such a proposal in view of the restriction to dwellinghouses
only. There was no realistic prospect of further development being
proposed in Highbury Crescent in breach of the existing restrictions. A
further block of flats might be proposed to the north-east of No.2, but no
developer would trouble to include No.2 because of the need to apply to
the Tribunal for modification of the covenants.
Conclusions
36. There are two
main objections to the application. The first is that, in the absence of a
detailed planning permission, it is not possible to form a reliable
opinion as to the effects of the proposed development on the objectors’
property. The second is that, if the restrictions were modified, a
precedent would have been established for further breaches of the
restrictions. I consider each of these objections in
turn. |
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37. In Re Glevum
Estates (Western Counties) Limited LP/53/1972 [18 December 1973],
(unreported) the President of the Tribunal, Mr Douglas Frank QC,
said
“I find that the applicant has
not made out his case under paragraph (aa). Perhaps I should add that as a
general proposition any applicant seeking to rely upon that paragraph
should be armed not only with a planning permission but also with detailed
plans of a kind which could be incorporated in an order. What the
applicants are in effect asking for is a blank cheque, which I should not
have been disposed to have granted in any event.”
38. Glevum
concerned a site of about 2.3 acres subject to a covenant restricting
development to a single dwelling house. The applicants wanted the
restriction to be discharged in order that they could carry out a form of
high density development, probably of the order of 25 houses. The
circumstances of the present case are somewhat different. The applicants
are seeking modification of the restrictions, not their discharge. They
are not asking for a blank cheque, but for permission to erect one or two
additional houses. Nevertheless, the President’s remarks are still
apposite. In order to satisfy the requirements of ground (aa) it is
necessary to satisfy the Tribunal that the restriction, in impeding some
reasonable user of land,
“does not secure to persons
entitled to the benefit of it any practical benefits of substantial value
or advantage to them.”
If the Tribunal is to assess the
extent of the benefit to an objector of impeding a particular user of
land, it is essential for the Tribunal to be provided with full details of
that user. It is true that the applicants have provided a general
description of the form of development which they have in mind, and I
infer that they would be prepared to agree that any modification should be
subject to those conditions being adhered to in any future development of
the application site. But without the benefit of a formal planning
permission any description of the proposed house or houses would be
difficult to express satisfactorily and enforcement problems could
arise.
39. As Dr Crossley
pointed out, Mr Gilfrin’s report was subject to certain caveats. He said
that the overall ridge height of the proposed development would “depend on
building design, including roof pitch”. He was unable to specify which
trees would remain following development, but limited himself to saying
that there would be “a significant number”. Mr Gilfrin’s caution is
clearly justified. He made it clear that a full planning application would
require floor plans and elevations and the identification of existing site
levels, trees, and the location of adjacent buildings and roads. It would
need to be supported by a Design and Access Statement “which will examine
the design principles and concepts applied in preparing the proposed
development on the site and how issues relating to access to the
development have been dealt with.” An up-dated arboricultural report,
assessing the impact of the proposed development upon existing trees and
identifying the steps taken to minimise such impacts, would need to be
prepared and submitted as part of any planning application. A noise survey
would also be required, to assist the planning authority in deciding
whether appropriate conditions could be imposed on any planning permission
to ensure an adequate level of protection against noise from the adjoining
Portsmouth Road. There can be no certainty that, once the necessary
documentation has been prepared, it would be sufficient to satisfy the
local authority that permission for development in the form proposed
should be granted; Mr Gilfrin |
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made it clear that there was a
possibility that consent might be refused and the matter would have to be
taken to appeal.
40. In my judgment,
in the absence of detailed planning permission, there is insufficient
information available to enable the Tribunal to form a clear conclusion as
to the effects of the proposed development on those entitled to the
benefit of the restrictions. The applicants have therefore failed to prove
that the requirements of ground (aa) have been satisfied. They have also
failed to prove that the proposed modification would not cause injury to
any of the objectors. Ground (c), therefore, has not been made out
either.
41. I would add that
I am in no doubt that, if the proposed modification were granted, it would
establish a precedent and might well encourage other developers to apply
for further modifications in the future. The risk of such applications
being made is clearly a matter of great concern to some of the residents
of Highbury Crescent. I bear in mind that, notwithstanding the building
alterations which have been made in certain cases, the number of houses in
Highbury Crescent has remained unchanged for nearly 40 years. In my
judgment the power to prevent a precedent being established is a practical
benefit of substantial advantage to the objectors. For this reason, too,
the applicants have failed to establish either of the grounds relied upon.
I therefore have no jurisdiction to modify the covenants and the
application must be refused. The parties are now invited to make
representations on costs, and a letter on that accompanies this decision,
which will become final when the question of costs has been
determined.
Dated 13 August 2008 |
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N J Rose FRICS |
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11 |
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