Agenda item

Change of use from residential (C3) to residential care home (C2) for adults of working age with mental health conditions.

Public Participation

Lynne Robertson, Donald Royle, Phil Clements spoke in objection to the application.

Laura Dennet and Vicky Walker spoke in support of the application.

The Area Team Leader presented the application for change of use for two adjoining properties from residential (C3) to residential care home (C2) for adults of working age with mental health conditions, which was recommended for approval. Key issues were stated to include the principle of the change of use, effect on the character of the area and residential amenity.

Members of the Committee then had the opportunity to ask technical questions of officers. Details were sought on conditions on soundproofing at the properties, level of staff cover proposed for care home residents, and confirmation that the application was partly retrospective and was already in use as a care home facility and was seeking expansion.

Members of the public then had the opportunity to present their views to the Committee, as detailed above.

A discussion then arose, where the number of proposed residents within the two properties to be joined was raised and whether it was a suitable number for the scale, and it was confirmed by the Area Team Leader that recent changes to the rules on permitted development meant that each property could be individually converted to a house in multiple occupation for up to six persons without the need for planning permission There was also discussion on the level of parking provision and the presence of the smoking shelter that was proposed, as well as the concerns of local residents and the need for suitable facilities to provide care to those with mental health issues.

Resolved:

That Planning Permission be Granted, subject to the following conditions

1)        Thedevelopmentherebypermitted shallbe begunbefore the expiration of three yearsfrom the dateofthispermission.

          REASON:  TocomplywiththeprovisionsofSection91 oftheTownand Country PlanningAct1990 asamendedby thePlanningand CompulsoryPurchaseAct 2004.

2)      Thedevelopmentherebypermittedshall becarriedout inaccordancewith the followingapproved plans:

Plan Ref: WR/001, Received: 25.08.2015.  Existing Floor Plans & Location Plan Plan Ref: WR/002 A, Received: 05.11.2015.  Proposed Floor Plans

          REASON:For theavoidanceofdoubt and in theinterestsofproper planning

3)      The change of use hereby approved shall not be first implemented until a scheme outlining the proposed noise insulation and attenuation measures along the party wall of 19 and 18 Woodstock Road has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.  The agreed noise attenuation measures shall be implemented in accordance with the approved details and specification prior to 19 Woodstock Road being first brought into use for C2 purposes and maintained/retained as such in perpetuity.

          REASON: Theapplicationcontainedinsufficientinformationtoenablethis matter to be consideredprior to grantingplanningpermissionand is considered to be necessary in the interests of the residential amenities of the area.

Informative:

1)      The application involves the existing two dropped kerbs being joined and therefore the footway between the two current dropped kerbs would also require lowering.  The consent hereby granted shall not be construed as authority to carry out works on the highway.  The applicant is advised that a licence will be required from Wiltshire’s Highway Authority before any works are carried out on any footway, footpath, carriageway, verge or other land forming part of the highway. Please contact our Vehicle Crossing Team on vehicleaccess@wiltshire.gov.uk and/or 01225 713352

2)      The applicant is advised that the development hereby approved may represent chargeable development under the Community Infrastructure Levy Regulations 2010 (as amended) and Wiltshire Council’s CIL Charging Schedule. A separate Community Infrastructure Levy Liability Notice may be issued by the Local Planning Authority. Should you require further information with regards to CIL please refer to the Council's Website

www.wiltshire.gov.uk/planninganddevelopment/planningpolicy/communityinfrastructurelevy

3)    The applicant’s attention is drawn to the letter dated 15.09.2015  from Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service which sets out  recommendations for ensuring that the proposals are safe and are able to meet building regulations.