CHANGES are afoot for Winchester buildings after planning chiefs met yesterday (January 9).

City Councillors permitted a planning application for a new garage to be built at Friary House on St Michael’s Road which will include accommodation set into the roof.

The application, submitted by Mr Leeson, for the grade II listed building was approved in accordance with the officer’s recommendations.

Councillors also agreed to the installation of a permanently fixed diesel generator, at Denplan Court on Victoria Road, intended to be used as emergency back up to power Denplan Ltd when the mains power is disrupted.

Though the committee permitted the application, in line with the recommendation, concerns were raised about noise levels and so restricted the hours at which the generator could be maintained from 9am-6pm.

However Mr Kitchen’s application to remove and rebuild on existing outbuildings in Colden Common was refused. The proposal to replace an ancillary outbuilding at Yew Tree Cottage on Main Road with an office building comprising of office space, toilets, shower and a kitchen was denied.

The case officer’s recommendation to refute planning permission was based on the needs of having an office building in the countryside as well as possible employment development outside the settlement boundary – a direct contradiction of planning policy.