Home extension approved despite dozens of neighbour objections

Nicholas Thomas, Local Democracy Reporter

Councillors have backed a family’s extension plan for their home despite dozens of neighbour objections.

Members of Newport City Council’s planning committee heard applicant Rafiq Tufail proposed “a number of alterations” to the Coedkernew property in Nant-Y-Moor Close.

They include a single-storey ground-floor extension to “wrap around” the existing home, new roof areas, an outdoor deck and a garage conversion.

During a recent public consultation on the plans, the council received 34 objections ranging from privacy and traffic concerns to claims the extended property would be overbearing.

Coedkernew Community Council also raised concerns the redeveloped home could “be turned into some sort of business” in future.

Mr Tufail challenged the objections, telling the committee he felt his plans had been criticised unfairly.

“It’s not going to be a HMO, it’s going to be a house for us,” he said. “All we want to do is have a family home to live in.”

Case officer Adam Foote said “many” of the objections focused on the impact of the proposals on neighbours.

“We consider the development is of suitable scale as to not result in an overdevelopment of the plot,” he said.

“There is a generous plot, and we believe the development can be accommodated on site without having any unacceptable adverse impact.”

Cllr Tim Harvey told committee colleagues he could see no reason to refuse the application.

The committee agreed to grant planning permission, subject to conditions.