PLANS for a building to be transformed into flats have been approved... despite being refused two years ago. 

Tendring Council's planning committee has green-light proposals to turn a semi-detached building in Hill Road, Harwich, into four self-contained flats with a two-storey extension.

The committee approved the application, submitted by a Mr Pickett, despite the fact the same application was refused back in 2021.

For both applications, residents of neighbouring properties opposed the plans over concerns for the loss of privacy and potential disruption through noise, anti-social behaviour and any further developments in the area. 

The lack of parking opportunities was also mentioned, with one resident saying on-street parking “is at full capacity most days, even to the extent that when maintenance and building works take place” contractors would ask to use neighbouring driveways and parking spaces.

As well as in 2021, the application was also refused in 2022.

The proposal was thrown out due to documents detailing an “overbearing impact in the outlook from the rear sunroom and side windows” of the neighbouring property and its rear garden. 

“The extension would appear as a disproportionately large and oppressive addition resulting in unacceptable harm to the living conditions of existing occupants,” the decision by Tendring Council stated at the time.

An appeal regarding the refusal was dismissed based on a conflict with the development plan and the lack of “material considerations worthy of sufficient weight, that would indicate otherwise”. 

During the application process in 2023, neighbouring residents came forward with similar concerns, yet planning permission has been granted.