Issue - meetings

Granted planning permission subject to the conditions and informatives as set out in the Committee report.

PROPOSAL

Proposed change of use from house in multiple occupation (HMO) to supported housing for 5 residents.

RECOMMENDATION

(1)            That the Committee resolve to GRANT planning permission subject to the conditions and informatives as set out in the Committee report.

(2)            That the Head of Planning is delegated authority to make changes to the wording of the committee’s decision (such as to delete, vary or add conditions, informatives, planning obligations or reasons for the decision) prior to the decision being actioned, provided that the Head of Planning is satisfied that any such changes could not reasonably be regarded as deviating from the overall principle of the decision reached by the committee nor that such change(s) could reasonably have led to a different decision having been reached by the committee.

Jasmin Tailor (Planning Officer) introduced the report which the Committee was advised was seeking a change of use of the existing property, recently used as a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) to a C3(b) use for supported housing for up to five residents where care is provided with no external alternations proposed.

The Chair thanked officers for introducing the report, and then invited Bimla Thakur (who had registered to speak in objection to the application) to address the Committee.  The following key points were highlighted:

·                 Concerns were raised in relation to what local residents felt would be the intended use of the property as a supported care facility given the significant impact on the surrounding area and neighbouring properties.

·                 Further concerns were also raised in relation to security and safety risks relating to the proposed use and management of the property and the impact on the wellbeing of local residents.

·                 Whilst sympathetic to the efforts being made to care for the more vulnerable in the community, the need for this type of provision in the area was queried given the existing availability of purpose built supported housing in the locality and what was felt to be the unsuitability of the property given its current construction, layout and boundary walls.

·                 Concerns were also raised in relation to adherence to previous planning consent along with the impact in relation to parking, traffic and nuisance on neighbouring residents and on the overall character of the area with the Committee therefore urged to refuse the application.

The Chair thanked Bimla Thakur for addressing the Committee and then invited questions and comments from members in relation to the information heard.  Whilst no specific questions were raised, confirmation was provided that Bimla Thakur was speaking as a neighbouring resident to the application site.

The Chair then welcomed Smita Patel (who had also registered to speak in objection to the application) and invited her to address the Committee. The following key points were highlighted:

·                 In addressing the Committee, Smita Patel outlined what she felt to be the flawed nature of the application given the amendment in proposed use from a change of use from Class C3a to C3b to a change of use from  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5