Wheelchair access plans rejected for fourth time

A disabled man's fourth attempt to get permission to make his home wheelchair accessible has been rejected.

Over the last three years, Paul Smith, from Donnington, has submitted planning applications to make changes to his home on Jubilee Avenue.

His latest proposals included a single storey side and rear extension to "provide essential accessibility improvements to enable continued occupation of the dwelling by a wheelchair user".

However Telford & Wrekin Council's planners argued that the scale and design of the project would cause "significant detrimental harm to the amenity of the neighbouring properties".

Smith has received support from local residents and an occupational therapy adviser.

His adviser wrote: "It is my professional assessment that this extension represents the minimum necessary to meet the essential accessibility and clinical needs of the wheelchair-using resident."

Smith told planners: "Overall, the proposal represents a sensitive, neighbour supported, and inclusive adaptation of the property, designed to meet the essential accessibility needs of a wheelchair user while fully respecting the character of the area."

But planners at the council ruled that the proposals were of "similar footprint and flat-roofed design as previously applied for" and rejected on appeal.

They decided that the proposed extension was "disproportionate in size in relation to the existing building".

Planners added that they were sympathetic to the needs of a disabled person and took that into account.

They said: "By virtue of its scale and design, the proposed development would cause significant detrimental harm to the amenity of the neighbouring properties, due to significant loss of privacy along the boundaries of each respective property."

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.

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