Agenda item

Approved.

The report before Members proposed to convert a three-storey former care home into three flats, one on each floor. The flats would comprise of 2 three-bedroom flats on the first two floors and 1 one-bedroom flat on the second floor.

In accordance with the public speaking arrangements the Committee was addressed by an objector with a response by the applicant.

The objector commented that he was in favour of the property being returned back to a residential property however, there was one issue with the retention of the outside fire escape which was not required, rarely used, dangerous as it had no handrail struts to prevent children falling from the stairs and was generally unfit for purpose.

In response the applicant confirmed that the property was to be converted into three flats, one of which he was planning on residing in. The drawings showed the fire escape in place as he had no plans to remove it but would be willing to negotiate over its removal if it became an issue regarding the granting of planning permission.

With its agreement Councillor Joshua Chapman addressed the Committee.

Councillor Chapman commented that the local residents were pleased that the property was being returned to a residential use however, concerns existed regarding the retention of the fire escape which could attract privacy and noise issues which would impact on the amenity of surrounding properties. Councillor Chapman concluded by commenting that the fire brigade had stated that the fire escape was not required and asked that Members considered adding a condition to the planning permission requesting its removal.

It was RESOLVED that the proposal was unacceptable as it stood but would be acceptable subject to the applicant entering into a planning obligation under S106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended), to secure the following:

• A financial contribution of £18,000 to be used for educational purposes in accordance with the policies DC29 and DC72 of the LDF Core Strategy and Development Control Policies Development Plan Document and the Planning Obligations Supplementary Planning Document.

• All contribution sums should include interest to the due date of expenditure and all contribution sums to be subject to indexation from the date of completion of the Section 106 agreement to the date of receipt by the Council.

• Save for the holders of blue badges that the future occupiers of the proposal would be prevented from purchasing parking permits for their own vehicles for any existing, revised or new permit controlled parking scheme.

• The Developer/Owner to pay the Council’s reasonable legal costs associated with the Legal Agreement prior to the completion of the agreement irrespective of whether the agreement was completed.

• Payment of the appropriate planning obligations monitoring fee prior to the completion of the agreement.

That the Head of Regulatory Services be authorised to enter into a legal agreement to secure the above and upon completion of that agreement and subject to securing the applicant's confirmation of the full removal of the existing external fire escape staircase prior to use of any of the flats commencing, If this was not achieved then the application was to come back to the Committee for determination, grant planning permission subject to the conditions as set out in the report.