Conversion of house to form 5 self contained apartments.

Ward: Central

Conversion of house to form 5 self contained apartments.

The following updates were reported:

·          A memorandum had been received from Councillor AT Oliver, raising objection to the development on the following grounds: long-term multiple occupation would be likely to blight the surrounding residential area; unsatisfactory internal layout; lack of external amenity space; the proposal does not respect the character of the existing Victorian dwelling; the proposal would adversely affect the privacy and amenity of adjoining dwellings.

·          The Sub-Committee was advised that the recommendation detailed in the report should be altered to reflect the receipt of amended plans prior to the meeting.

·          One further letter of objection had been received

In accordance with the criteria for public speaking, Mr Gorman spoke in objection, and Mr Clay spoke in support of the application. 

Councillor MAF Hubbard, the Local Ward Member, acknowledged the reasons behind the proposed development and said that it was a reasonable proposal, in keeping with the area.  He commented that he would prefer there to be no provision for on-street parking in view of the fact that the application had provided for off-street parking. 

The Development Control Manager stated that the right to an on-street parking space was separate to planning issues, although it would be possible to include a Section 106 Agreement in any permission granted to ensure that no resident would be entitled to an on-street parking permit. 

Councillor DB Wilcox requested that provision also be made for an off-street parking place for an electric buggy for the disabled. 

Councillor MD Lloyd-Hayes and Councillor WJ Walling expressed concern that the proposal for one-bedroomed units did not properly reflect current demand, which was for two and three bedroomed properties.  Councillor Lloyd-Hayes said that the application site was located on a dangerous stretch of road and she felt that it would be detrimental to highway safety.  She said that she did not support the application for these reasons. 

RESOLVED:

That planning permission be granted subject to the inclusion of a Section 106 Agreement restricting residents parking rights to off-street only, subject to a revised condition securing the provision for a disabled users’ electric buggy, and subject to the following conditions:

1.      A01 (Time limit for commencement (full permission)).

         Reason: Required to be imposed by Section 91 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

2.      B02 (Matching external materials (extension)).

         Reason: To ensure the external materials harmonise with the existing building.

3.      C10 (Details of rooflights).

         Reason: To ensure the rooflights do not break the plane of the roof slope in the interests of safeguarding the character and appearance of this building of [special] architectural or historical interest.

4.      C11 (Specification of guttering and downpipes).

         Reason: To safeguard the character and appearance of this building of [special] architectural or historical interest.

5.      E12 (No balconies/roof amenity area).

         Reason: To safeguard the character and amenities of the locality.

6.      G01 (Details of boundary treatments).

         Reason: In the interests of visual amenity and to ensure dwellings have satisfactory privacy.

7.      F16 (Restriction of hours during construction).

         Reason: To protect the amenity of local residents.

8.      H06 (Vehicular access construction).

         Reason: In the interests of highway safety.

9.      H13 (Access, turning area and parking).

         Reason: In the interests of highway safety and to ensure the free flow of traffic using the adjoining highway.

10.    H17 (Junction improvement/off site works).

         Reason: To ensure the safe and free flow of traffic on the highway.

11.    H27 (Parking for site operatives).

         Reason: To prevent indiscriminate parking in the interests of highway safety.

12.    H29 (Secure covered cycle parking provision).

         Reason: To ensure that there is adequate provision for secure covered cycle accommodation within the application site, encouraging alternative modes of transport in accordance with both local and national planning policy.

13.    F39 (Scheme of refuse storage).

         Reason: In the interests of amenity.

Informatives:

1.      N15 - Reason(s) for the Grant of PP/LBC/CAC.

2.      N19 - Avoidance of doubt.