The Bishopston Society has given this application careful consideration and is concerned about the proposal for an external balcony at first floor level which would overlook the rear garden of 133 Ashley Down Road alongside.
We accept that the applicant has proposed privacy screens on either side of the balcony, but are still concerned about overlooking from the front edge of the balcony and the possibility of noise and disturbance to neighbours.
Supplementary Planning Guidance No. 2 'Guide to Residential Extensions 2005 'states the following;
'The addition of a balcony or terrace to a property above ground floor level can be problematic and in most circumstances would not be acceptable. Not only might they allow overlooking into neighbouring properties or private gardens, they can also increase the general level of noise and disturbance'.
On balance we recommend that permission is refused for the balcony.