A SLICK presentation by a 24-year-old woman who wanted to turn a dilapidated Chandler's Ford bungalow into a two-storey family home won the day when it came to getting planning permission.
Amy Winterson not only gained approval for the scheme but also won praise from councillors for putting her case so well.
Eastleigh Council planning officers had recommended the scheme for 215 Leigh Road be thrown out on the grounds that the bungalow was one of a row of five identical properties.
Planning officer Robin Reay told committee members: "The predominant style of dwellings in the locality is single-storey with a pyramid roof. It is considered the proposed changes to the roof would be predominant and affect the character of this particular part of Leigh Road in an adverse way."
After distributing dossiers of photographs to illustrate her points, Miss Winterson told the committee there were no objections from neighbours, the design was of high quality and the property was not in a prominent site but set well back from the road.
She added: "Similar conversions have been granted within 100 metres of our property."
It was an argument that won over councillors and brought praise for the clarity of Miss Winterson's presentation from Councillor Gillian Connell.
Fellow committee member Councillor Wayne Irish said: "The bungalow is very sad and needs a lot of care and attention. It is going to be a very good family home."
After the meeting, Miss Winterson and partner Gareth Savage said they were "delighted" with the outcome.
She added: "You can't stop change."
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