Agenda item

Two storey side and single storey rear extensionat 12 Bacchus Way, Morton, Alfreton, DE55 6HR.

(Planning Manager – Development Management)

The Committee considered an application that had been submitted for the conversion of house (Use Class C3) into children’s home (Use Class C2) at2 Durham Avenue, Grassmoor, Chesterfield, S42 5DL. The application had been referred to Committee by Local Ward Member, Councillor M Durrant, who had raised some concerns. An update report had been circulated which set out late representations regarding the application.

The recommendation by officers was to approve the application. The report to Committee explained the reasons for this.

The report highlighted that local and national planning policy aims to provide adequate specialist care homes for children and that the dwelling would be well suited to the use, due to its proximity to local services including parks, schools and medical services. The report also contended that the scheme included adequate parking and would not harm the character of the area or the amenity of adjoining residents.

Officers concluded that the proposal met the requirements of policies of the Development Plan. They recommended, therefore, that the application be approved subject to conditions.

Before the Committee considered the application it heard from local Ward Member, Councillor Lee Hartshorne, and objector, Rob Whitehead. Committee also heard from Gabriela Smith who spoke on behalf of the applicant.

Councillor L Hartshorne left the meeting.

Committee considered the application. It took into account the relevant Local and National Planning Policies. This included Local Plan Policy LC4, concerning type and mix of housing, and National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) paragraph 63, concerning housing needed for different groups in the community.

Committee discussed the application. Some Members highlighted that, whilst there was potential for some disruption to the community to be caused, there was a need to meet the considerable demand for care homes for children. It was also highlighted that there were few material considerations against the application and any disruption caused would be no greater than a young family or foster family moving into the house. It was suggested that further conditions should be added to secure the amenity of neighbouring properties, these included a condition that would ensure the property returned to Use Class C3 if it stopped being used as a care home for children, a condition that removed the Permitted Development rights for the property whilst it was in Use Class C2 and a condition that ensured construction work on any renovations to the property would only take place within certain hours. Committee agreed that the proposed conditions were sensible.

At the conclusion of the discussion Councillor K Gillott and Councillor A Cooper moved and seconded a Motion to approve the application, in line with officer recommendation, subject to conditions set out in the report, along with the additional conditions proposed by Planning Committee Members. The Motion was put to a vote and approved

RESOLVED – That planning permission be conditionally approved subject to the conditions and informatives set out in the report, along with additional conditions agreed by Planning Committee Members, with the final wording of the conditions delegated to the Planning Manager (Development Manager).

Councillor L Hartshorne returned to the meeting.

Councillor L Hartshorne in the Chair.