A PIANIST can build an extension with a music room to his childhood home for his retirement, despite the objection of neighbours.
Ashley Vowles applied for planning permission for a first-floor extension to the house in The Pastures in Llanyrafon, Cwmbran, where he’d grown up, as well as a dormer extension to the back and alterations to the garage.
Following objections from neighbours a borough councillor asked the application be decided by Torfaen Council’s planning committee.
The Wednesday, December 18 meeting heard from Mr Vowles and a planning agent speaking on behalf of a family that own the home on Caernarfon Crescent behind it and overlooked by the existing bungalow on higher ground.
Andrew Ayles, representing the family, said they wished to make a “strong objection” and he suggested the plans were at odds with Torfaen’s policies on design and extensions, describing the plans as overbearing and said they would impact on sunlight in the garden.
The report, for the planning committee prepared by the council’s planning department, said there wouldn’t be any loss of light.
Mr Ayles also said there was concern part of the extension would be used as a music room.
He said: “The designs show a music room on the ground floor that will impact my client’s tranquility and enjoyment of their garden.”
No “technological information” about soundproofing had been provided said Mr Ayles who also asked the committee to defer a decision so they could visit the site for themselves.
Mr Vowles, who attended the meeting at the Civic Centre in Pontypool, “I never thought in my wildest dreams I would be at a planning committee addressing them.”
He said: “My parents bought the house in the 1970s and it was the family home and I lived there for 30 years.
“There seems to be concern about the music room it was always there it was the dining room where I sat and played the piano for many hours and some people even pay me to play now.”
The applicant said he’d used the same architect who’d designed other extensions on the cul-de-sac to meet requirements and was also committed to the necessary biodiversity improvements.
He said: “We could have so many bats by the time we finish it will be like Transylvania in Llanyrafon.”
Mr Vowles added his intention is to live in the house in his retirement.
The committee approved the application unanimously.