Agenda item

Report No: DEV/SE/18/033

Planning Application - (i) Change of use from dental clinic (D1) to dental clinic and community healthcare facility (D1); (ii) 5no. additional car parking spaces

Planning Application - (i) Change of use from dental clinic (D1) to dental clinic and community healthcare facility (D1); (ii) 5no. additional car parking spaces

This application had been referred to the Development Control Committee on 6 September 2018 following consideration by the Delegation Panel, the item had been referred to the Panel at the request of a Ward Member (Moreton Hall).

At the September Committee Members resolved that they were minded to approve the application, contrary to the Officer recommendation of refusal and inclusive of a condition to limit usage of the site to the applicant.

Officers determined that the decision making protocol needed to be invoked which required the Committee to consider this further report, inclusive of a risk assessment, prior to a final decision being made on the application.  A Member site visit was held prior to the September Committee meeting. 

As part of her presentation the Senior Planning Officer drew attention to the ‘late papers’ which were issued as a supplement to the agenda papers and which set out:

·         The applicant’s argument against a ‘personal’ condition limiting the use of the site and the Officer’s subsequent amended wording for condition No 3;

·         The clarification that the facility would only have 6 treatment rooms and not 7, as previously understood by Officers and stated in the September Committee report; and

·         The agent’s response to the further comments received from Suffolk County Council Highways in which they maintained their objection to the application and refuted the applicant’s technical note in respect of parking and sustainable travel.

In conclusion, the Case Officer explained that the Planning Authority was continuing to recommend refusal of the application for the reasons set out in Section C of Report No: DEV/SE/18/033.

Also included within the report at Section E (subject to the amendment to condition 3 in the late papers) were proposed conditions for the application should Members determine to approve the scheme.

Speakers:    Mr Sinclair Armitage (Project Manager, Community Dental Services) spoke in support of the application

                   Mr Richard Sykes-Popham (agent) spoke in support of the application

Councillor David Nettleton spoke in support of the application and again stated that he did not agree with the access restrictions that were made reference to.  He reiterated the public transport and foot/cycle way connections that existed at the site’s location.

Councillor Nettleton proposed that the application be approved, contrary to the Officer recommendation of refusal and subject to the conditions outlined in the report, for the following reasons:

·         The harm made reference to by SCC Highways had not been evidenced and the parking could be managed sustainably;

·         There were other use class D1 facilities in the vicinity of the application site; and

·         The proposal would provide a much needed community healthcare facility for the public.

This was duly seconded by Councillor Terry Clements, who also spoke in support.

Upon being put to the vote and with the vote being unanimous, it was resolved that

Decision

Planning permission be GRANTED, CONTRARY TO THE OFFICER RECOMMENDATION OF REFUSAL, subject to the following conditions:

1.   The development hereby permitted shall be begun not later than 3 years from the date of this permission.

2.   Before the first floor use hereby approved commences details of the travel arrangements to and from the site for employees and customers, in the form of a Travel Plan, including monitoring provisions shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The approved arrangements shall be implemented before the first floor use hereby approved commences and thereafter adhered to.

3.   The building subject to this application shall only be used for community healthcare services (including dentistry) on an appointment only basis and for no other uses within use class D1.

4.   The number of treatment rooms shall be limited to 6 at ground floor and to 4 at first floor.

5.   The use hereby approved shall be operated in accordance with the details set out in the Car Parking Management Plan (received 13.09.2018).

6.   The first floor use shall not commence until the cycle parking has been provided in accordance with the details shown on drawing PL01 Rev.A and thereafter the areas shall be retained and used for no other purposes.

7.      The development hereby permitted shall not be carried out except in complete accordance with the details shown on the approved plans and documents.