Great news just in from the Planning Department that Michael Jennings’ attempt to get away with the roof gardens that he built at St Joseph’s against an explicit planning condition, have been partially refused.
A split decision has resulted in the roof garden for Flat 12 that would’ve overlooked the neighbouring property being refused. The Planning Department have wisely also gone a step further and will be insisting that the contravening roof space is filled in, within two months, ensuring that it unable to be used in the future.
It’s unfortunate that a reduced roof terrace has been approved for Flat 11, on the Western side of the development but only 4 metres deep. The only upside is that a 3 metre section of the roof will also have to be filled in and strict conditions will be applied against the use of awnings, furniture etc.
Those involved would’ve preferred the Planning Department to take a stand against this serial abuser of the planning process by entirely refusing the variation of condition 11, after all, why apply a condition if you’re going to change it later?
Had local residents not monitored the construction, the Planning Department probably would not have had any idea that Michael Jennings had breached the conditions and he would have got away with it.
Local residents just have to take a deep breath and tackle all the other breaches on site now.
