Agenda item

Application for the conversion of existing public house and manager's residence to 5 two-bedroom apartments (Conservation Area) (affecting the setting of a Listed Building), 37, Market Street, Eckington

(Planning Manager - Development Management)

The report to Committee explained that an application had been submitted for the conversion of an existing public house and manager’s residence into five, two-bedroom apartments, at 37 Market Street, Eckington.

The application had been referred to Committee by local Ward Member, Councillor J Kenyon, who had raised concerns about it.

Committee was recommended to grant planning permission, subject to the conditions set out in the report.

The report to Committee explained why Members were asked to approve the application. The report contended that the proposed conversion would be in keeping with the existing building and surrounding area and that it would be in line with existing Development Plan polices. Although the building was lost as a community facility, it had been closed for several years, with no indication that it would re-open and that there were other public houses within proximity of the site. Its conversion would not adversely impact on the overall viability of the town centre or harm the heritage asset.

Before Members discussed the application those registered to speak were asked to address the Committee. L Trollope, Agent for the Application, spoke in support of it. There were no other speakers.

Committee considered the application. It took into account the Planning Issues. These included the Principle of Development. Committee heard how changes of use which did not have an adverse impact on the character of the area or neighbouring land uses were permissible. It also took into account the implications for the wider town centre, heritage considerations, the impact on neighbouring properties and highway safety issues.

Members discussed the application.  They noted the length of time that the public house had been closed. They also reflected on the contribution which the proposed apartments could make to the vitality of the Town Centre. Members also discussed the car parking arrangements for the proposed apartments.

At the conclusion of the discussion Councillor P Elliot and W Armitage moved and seconded a motion to approve officer recommendations.

The motion was put to the vote and was approved.

RESOLVED -

That the application be approved in line with officer recommendations, with the final wording of conditions delegated to the Planning Manager (Development Management). 

Conditions

      The development hereby permitted shall be started within 3 years from the date of this permission.

2      The development hereby approved shall be carried out in accordance with the details shown on the following drawings unless otherwise subsequently agreed through a formal submission under the Non Material Amendment procedures and unless otherwise required by any condition contained in this decision notice:

·         Proposed Ground Floor Plan (PL04) uploaded to the Council’s website on 06.01.2021

·         Proposed First Floor Plan (PL05) uploaded to the Council’s website on 06.01.2021

·         Proposed Elevations (PL06A) uploaded to the Council’s website on 19.01.2021

·         Revised Site Plan (PL01) uploaded to the Council’s website on 11.03.2021

3    The proposed windows on the south-west facing side elevation of the building shall be of a non-opening design and shall be fitted with obscure glazing prior to the change of use hereby approved being first brought into use and shall be maintained as such thereafter at all times.

4         Before above ground works start, a plan to show the positions, design, materials, height and type of boundary treatment to be erected shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The approved scheme shall be completed before the occupation of the dwelling hereby approved and shall be retained as approved thereafter.

5         Before above ground works start, precise specifications or samples of the walling and roofing materials to be used shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.  The development shall then be carried out in accordance with the approved details.

6     Before above ground works commence, the following shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority:

            a) a scheme of landscaping, which shall include indications of all existing trees and hedgerows on the land,

            b) the details of any trees and hedgerows to be retained, together with measures for their protection during development,

            c) a schedule of proposed plant species, size and density and planting locations and 

            d) an implementation programme

7     All planting, seeding or turfing in the approved scheme of landscaping shall be carried out in the first planting and seeding season following the occupation of the buildings or the completion of the development, whichever is the sooner.  Any trees or plants which within a period of 5 years from the completion of the development die, are removed or become seriously damaged or diseased shall be replaced in the next planting season with others of similar size and species, unless the Local Planning Authority gives written consent to any variation.

Prior to building works commencing above foundation level, a Biodiversity Enhancement Plan, including a timetable for its implementation, shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The agreed scheme shall then be implemented in full as agreed and maintained as such thereafter.