Agenda item

To receive the report of the Chief Planning Officer for the refurbishment, reconfiguration and extension of the hospice Martin House Childrens Hospice Grove Road, Boston Spa, Wetherby LS23 6TX.

(Report attached)

The report of the Chief Planning Officer set out a pre-application for the refurbishment, reconfiguration and extension of Martin House Children’s Hospice, Grove Road, Boston Spa.

The pre-application enquiry had been submitted by WSP Indigo Planning on behalf of Martin House Children’s Hospice.

Members had attended a site visit earlier in the day. Photographs and slides were shown throughout the presentation.

The proposals submitted consist of the refurbishment of the existing accommodation and the provision of new accommodation to provide new ensuite children’s bedrooms, an education suite, parent’s bedrooms and staff facilities. An additional 26 car parking spaces are proposed.

The Hospice are aware that this location is within the green belt, however, they were of the view that the proposed extension was not disproportionate or inappropriate in this area. The access, parking, tress and neighbours had all been taken into account within their proposals.

Representation had been received from Wetherby Ward Members and Clifford Council both of whom provided supportive comments. A letter for the Wetherby Ward Members was read out by the Planning Officer.

The Panel were advised that Martin House was a community lead care facility which offered specialist and respite care and support for children and families from North, East and West Yorkshire. Care is provided to the children and families on a number of complex issues 24/7, 365 days a year. Martin House is a beacon of best practice both nationally and internationally. They invented the model of palliative care for children.

Members heard that technologies are changing and larger facilities were required for the numerous pieces of equipment which is need such as larger wheelchairs, hoists, TV’s etc.

It was noted that due to boiler problems the hospice has had to close on two occasions in the last two years and this issue would also be addressed as part of the refurbishment.

Children and families had been consulted as part of the process to ask them what they wanted. The refurbishment would include bedrooms with better access for bedrooms and ensuite bedrooms for privacy, separate entrance for those visiting the hospice, new access and egress to the site, homely feel for families and children, maintain the openness of the gardens which are used for events and act as a buffer to the new housing estate to the east of the site.

The current location is ideal as it is close to hospitals and also easily accessible for children and families across North, East and West Yorkshire.

The development would not be adding further bedrooms just making the bedrooms that they have better.

Members were required to answer a number of questions as set out in the submitted report:

9.5 Do Members have appropriate information to understand whether a case for ‘very special circumstances’ exists?  YES

9.8 Do Members support the emerging scale, massing and design of the proposals?   YES

9.12 Do Members have any comment to make on the applicant’s proposals at this time in respect of climate change?  Members approved of the proposals. However requested that measures such as the use of heat source pumps could be incorporated – It was noted as the Hospice are looking to reduce running costs.

9.17 Do Members have any comments on the highways aspect of the proposals? – Members did not raise any specific concerns but noted that Highways had requested further information relating to car parking and the additional access that would be considered as part of the application when it comes forward.

9.21 Do Members have any comments on the landscape aspect of the proposal?  Members liked the children’s garden and were happy that this feature would be retained after the extension.

9.23 Do Members have any comments about the accessibility aspects of the proposal?   No. Members were of the view that their visit to the site had been of assistance in understanding the issues which need to be addressed.

RESOLVED – To note the content of the report.

The Chair thanked the speakers for their presentation and for the welcome that they had received during their visit to the site earlier in the day. He went on to thank the Hospice for all the work and support that was given to children and the families.

The Panel showed their appreciation of the work and support provided by the Hospice with a round of applause.