Agenda item

Report No: DEV/WS/23/024

Planning application - Change of use from residential dwelling (class C3) to a residential children's home (class C2)

(Councillor David Smith declared, in the interests of openness and transparency, that he had attended Haverhill Town Council’s meeting when the Town Council considered the application. However, he stressed that he would keep an open mind and listen to the debate prior to voting on the item.)

Planning application - Change of use from residential dwelling (class C3) to a residential children's home (class C2)

This application was considered by the Delegation Panel on 1 August 2023 at the request of the Ward Member, where it was decided that the application should be determined at the Development Control Committee. 

A Member site visit was held prior to the meeting and as part of her presentation to the Committee the Planning Officer also showed videos of the site.

The Planning Officer also advised Members that one further neighbour objection had been received since publication of the agenda; which largely reiterated the points/comments raised in previous representations and summarised in the report.

Officers were recommending that planning permission be granted, subject to the conditions set out in Paragraph 45 of Report No DEV/WS/23/024 and inclusive of one further suggested condition in respect of the details of the ground works required to facilitate the proposed parking areas.

Speaker:      Paddy Capell (neighbouring resident objector) spoke against the application

                   (Ms Capell was not present at the meeting in order to address the Committee, instead the Democratic Services Officer read out a pre-prepared statement on her behalf)

In response to comments made by Members, particularly in respect of the parking provision proposed as part of the scheme, the Chair reminded the Committee that they were to determine the application before them and not seek to “redesign” the proposal.

The Service Manager (Planning – Development) also highlighted that Suffolk County Council as the Highways Authority were content with the parking as proposed in the plans.

Councillor Sara Mildmay-White proposed that the application be approved, as per the Officer recommendation. This was duly seconded by Councillor Roger Dicker.

Upon being put to the vote and with 12 voting for the motion, 2 against and with 2 abstentions it was resolved that

Decision

Planning permission be GRANTED subject to the following conditions:

1. Time limit

The development hereby permitted shall be commenced no later than 3 years from the date of this permission.

2. Compliance with plans

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

3. Parking and manoeuvring

The use shall not commence until the area(s) within the site shown on the proposed site plan, submitted to the Local Planning Authority on 12 July 2023 for the purposes of manoeuvring and parking of vehicles has been provided and thereafter that area(s) shall be retained and used for no other purposes.

4. Cycle storage

Prior to the first use of the dwelling as a children’s home, details of the areas to be provided for the secure, covered and lit cycle storage shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The approved scheme shall be carried out in its entirety before the development is brought into use and shall be retained thereafter and used for no other purpose.

5. EV charging

Prior to the first use of the dwelling as a children’s home, details of electric vehicle charging infrastructure shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The approved scheme shall be carried out in its entirety before the development is brought into use and shall be retained thereafter and used for no other purpose.

6. Refuse/recycling bins

Prior to the first use of the dwelling as a children’s home, details of the areas to be provided for the presentation of refuse and recycling bins shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The approved scheme shall be carried out in its entirety before the development is brought into use and shall be retained thereafter for no other purpose.

7. Number of children

At no time shall more than four children be in residence at the    premises. 

8.   Staff Members 

At no time shall more than three members of staff be present at the site.

9. Ground works

Prior to the first use of the dwelling as a children's home, details of the ground works required to facilitate the proposed parking areas shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The approved scheme shall be carried out in its entirety before the development is brought into use and shall be retained thereafter for no other purpose.