Policy H7 - Balconies and Roof Gardens

Justification:

The Hoe Neighbourhood Area is an area of dense residential development as well as public open space. Local residents expressed concern about new balconies and roof gardens having an adverse impact on the privacy of neighbours' gardens or habitable rooms. It is important to local people that neighbour amenity is not compromised by being overlooked from new balconies and roof gardens.

This policy largely reflects the guidance set out in the Plymouth and South West Devon Joint Local Plan Supplementary Planning Document (page 240), which states that balconies and roof gardens can be unacceptable in higher density areas because of the impact they can have on the privacy of neighbours' gardens or habitable rooms. In assessing a proposal for a balcony or roof garden, the degree of overlooking will be considered.

The Hoe Neighbourhood Area is likely to experience more applications for balconies, roof gardens, other decking, terraces and patios than other parts of Plymouth as a result of its seaward views, relatively high density of development, central location, and cluster of hotels. It is therefore valuable to use the Plymouth and South West Devon Joint Local Plan Supplementary Planning Document guidance in the Hoe Neighbourhood Development Plan, as it will take tried and tested text from Local Plan level that does not yet have policy status and convert it into a policy.

Intent:

Policy H7 allows for the development of new balconies and other similar roof gardens or terrace areas subject to certain conditions where they do not negatively impact the wider built environment.

Key Evidence Sources:

• The Hoe Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan
• Barbican Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan
• Plymouth and South West Devon Joint Local Plan Policies DEV10, DEV20 and DEV21
• Plymouth and South West Devon Joint Local Plan Heritage Impact Assessment
• Plymouth and South West Devon Joint Local Plan Supplementary Planning Document (page 240)
• Plymouth Hoe Design Guide