Agenda item

Public Participation:

Mrs Marlene Peters spoke in support of the application

Mr Rob Peters, the Agent, spoke in support of the application

Mrs Jan Thatcher spoke in support of the application

Councillor Mary Douglas, the local member, spoke in support of the application.

The planning officer outlined the application, clarifying that the intended use was a hybrid use, outside normal planning categories, as a children and families centre. It was explained that the applicant was Wiltshire Council, and because there had been an objection, the application had been called-in for the committee to consider, in accordance with the Council's Constitution.

A discussion ensued where the following issues were debated:

·         The economic viability of the site in its existing use as a B&B, and whether or not the change of use constituted a true loss of this tourist capacity.

·         The busy and dangerous nature of the road and the measures being proposed by the applicant to address highway safety.

·         The suitability of the proposed use for the site.

Resolved:

That planning permission be GRANTED for the following reasons:

It is considered that the viability of the existing Bed and Breakfast use is marginal. Marketing of the property has taken place over a significant period of time with no offers being received for the property. A number of new or enhanced hotel and other accommodation facilities have opened up in the past couple of years with the Salisbury and surrounding area which has affected trade. Given this it is not considered that the loss of the B & B would be to the detriment of tourist trade in the city. In addition, saved Policy PS1 of the adopted Salisbury District Local Plan permits in principle social service type facilities within the settlement.

It is not considered that significantly more noise and disturbance will occur with the use of this facility than with the current bed and breakfast use. Out of hours operations as proposed will be minimal and it is likely that at weekends there may well be a decrease in numbers of people visiting the site and subsequently noise and disturbance. It is considered that there will be no significant effects from noise and disturbance in compliance with saved Policy G2 (viii) of the adopted Salisbury District Local Plan.

Parking is to be provided at the site for four vehicles to park. Three in the front of the property (including one disabled space, and one in the adjoining garage. Visitors will not be able to park at the property and will be discouraged from doing so. It is considered that the parking as shown on the submitted plans and as is intended to be provided is satisfactory and will meet the needs of the new use and comply with saved Policy G2 (i) and parking standards contained within the saved policies of the adopted Salisbury District Local plan.

And subject to the following conditions:

(1) The development hereby permitted shall be begun before the expiration of three years from the date of this permission.

REASON:  To comply with the provisions of Section 91 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 as amended by the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.

(2) The development hereby approved shall be undertaken in full accordance with the following approved plans:

Site location and block plan received 11^th October 2010

Proposed first and second floor plan received 11^th October 2010

Proposed ground floor plan received 11^th October 2010

Existing first and second floor plan received 11^th October 2010

Existing ground floor plan received 11^th October 2010

IMA transport assessment and statement dated October 2010

Turley associates design and access statement dated September 2010

REASON: for the avoidance of doubt

(3)    Prior to the first occupation of the use hereby approved the parking spaces shown on the plan no IMA-10-064-002 shall be laid out and retained in perpetuity.

REASON: In the interests of highway safety

(4)    The measures outlined in part seven of the IMA transport assessment in the section entitled transport statement shall be carried out and implemented within three months of the first occupation of the premises hereby approved such measures shall enure for as long as the property is used for its proposed use.

REASON: In the interests of sustainable development.

(5)  The resource centre for children and families shall be used solely for the purposes outlined in section four of the planning design and access statement submitted by Turley associates and dated September 2010.

REASON: For the avoidance of doubt.

(6)  The turning area shown on the submitted drawing no  shall be marked out and remain available for this purpose at all times.

REASON: In the interests of highway safety

(7)  Prior to the first use of the premises as a centre for children’s and families a sign located within the forecourt of the development, indicating to users that the car turning area must be available at all times for turning purposes only, details of which including the size and location of the sign, shall be submitted for the further written approval of the LPA. The sign shall thereafter be provided in accordance with the approved details prior to the first use of the development.

REASON: In the interests of highway safety

(8)  Prior to the first use of the premises as a centre for children’s and families details of a means to prevent additional vehicular access to the forecourt by means of barrier or chain shall be submitted for the written approval of the LPA; and the barrier or chain shall be installed in accordance with the approved details before the first use of the development.

REASON: In the interests of highway safety

INFORMATIVE:

1. The applicant is advised that in accordance with Regulation 9 of the Town and Country Planning Regulations 1992 (S I No 1492) this planning permission enures solely for the benefit of Wiltshire Council as the applicant interested planning authority.