Running along the eastern boundary of the application property is the driveway to No. 16. Currently visibility out of this driveway is good, due to the open nature of the adjacent soft landscaping area. However, the proposed timber fencing would entirely obstruct views of any vehicle manoeuvres out of the driveway to no.16, for both pedestrians and drivers arriving from the west. It should be noted that this is also a shared surface where potential conflicts between cars and pedestrians are already inherently present. As such, it would be likely to cause serious harm to pedestrians and vehicle users of this part of the road. Policy CS2 of the Development Plan seeks to ensure that new development creates safe and secure spaces. It is considered that the proposal would not comply with policy CS2 (iv), in that the proposed fence would severely obstruct pedestrian and vehicular visibility into and out of the driveway to No.16, creating an unnecessary highway danger to all users of this section of the shared-surface highway. As a result, the development would fail to create a safe public space, in conflict with policy CS2.

The proposed timber fencing would be visible from within the public realm given its location on this prominent corner plot. The fencing would extend and enclose part of the grass area to the side of the dwelling. This area of land forms a section of green space which was approved as part of the landscaping scheme for the residential development within which it lies. It is, therefore, an important and intrinsic part of the design and layout of the overall housing development and contributes significantly to the character and appearance of the street scene. It is considered, therefore, that the proposal would appear as an incongruous development and would result in an unacceptably harmful visual impact on both the character of the property and the wider street scene and the character and appearance of the surroundings. As a consequence, the proposal would fail to meet the requirements of policies CS2, EV/1 and H/17 of the Development Plan and the Charnwood's Borough Council Design Supplementary Planning Document which supports these Policies, in respect of development proposed to residential dwellings.