Agenda item

To receive and consider the attached application of the Chief Planning Officer regarding an application for change of use and alterations of dwelling house (C3) to residential institution (C2)

The report of the Chief Planning Officer presented an application for the change of use and alterations of dwelling house (C3) to residential institution (C2)

Members attended a site visit prior to the meeting and site plans and photographs were displayed and referred to throughout the discussion on this application.

Further issues highlighted in relation to the application included the following:

·  The application had been referred to panel at the request of a local Ward Councillor due to concerns regarding parking, disturbance from staff changeovers and lack of local amenities.  There had also been a number of local objections.

·  The proposals would create residential accommodation for adults with learning difficulties.

·  The garage block would be converted to create 2 flats.  This would be the only major external change.

·  The property had previously been used as a residential nursing home.

·  There would be increased parking within the property’s grounds to allow staff parking.

·  There would be a condition for a £10,000 off-site highways contribution should this be necessary.

·  It was recommended that the application be approved subject to conditions outlined in the report.

Local residents addressed the panel with concerns and objections to the application.  These included the following:

·  The property had been a family home since 2002.  Since that time the area had gained conservation status and a residential institution would not fit within the conservation area status.

·  A commercial institution would not preserve or enhance the area.

·  There would be potential disturbance to residents for 24 hours a day over 365 days a year.

·  There would be a loss of some greenspace for the extra parking.

·  There would be overlooking to other properties and a loss of privacy.

·  Nearby properties had traditional single glazed sash windows which could not be double glazed to prevent noise pollution.

·  Many nearby properties were family homes and there would be disturbance to children late in the evening.

·  There had been some disruption to neighbours when the property had previously been a residential care home.

·  Previous applications to turn the property into flats or a nursey had been refused.

Tha applicant addressed the Panel.  The following issues were highlighted:

·  The ethos of the organisation was to enable residents to have access to community facilities.

·  Residents were supported to attend work and college and to use leisure and retail facilities.

·  Local residents had been invited to visit one of the organisations other centres to see how they operated.

·  Proposals had been amended to address local residents concerns.

·  Residents of the home would not include those detained under the Mental Health Act.

·  The proposals would create 28 jobs.

·  In response to questions from Members, the following was discussed:

o  The property was close to some of the organisations other facilities.

o  Local people would be encouraged to apply for employment.

o  Traffic surveys indicated that there would only be a two percent increase in traffic on Outwood Lane.

o  When fully occupied there would be ten residents at the property.

o  Residents would usually require one to one care when leaving the premises.

o  Should planning permission be granted further certification would be required from the Care Quality Commission.

In response to Members comments and questions, the following was discussed:

·  There would be a condition to keep the number of maximum bed spaces to ten,

·  There would be an average maximum of twelve staff present at any one time with fewer staff present during the night.

RESOLVED – That the application be approved as per the officer recommendation and conditions outlined in the report.