The Committee considered the report of the Head of Planning and Development.

In presenting the application, the Major Projects Manager advised the Committee that since the publication of the agenda three further objections had been received from nearby residents making similar points to those covered in the Officer’s report but also raising questions about the manner in which the residential care home might operate and the adequacy of the property for the use proposed.

The Major Projects Manager also advised the Committee that having reviewed the report and recommendation, he considered that further conditions should be added to any planning consent in order to provide an appropriate level of safeguarding. 

Firstly, a C2 use which was residential care included other uses such as medical, training or educational uses.  There was also the ability under the Permitted Development Order to change from C2 to education.  He would therefore recommend that subject to the precise wording being finalised in consultation with the Head of Legal Partnership, a condition be imposed stating that the building shall only be used for the purposes of residential care and for no other use within Class C2 and that any rights to change without the need for planning permission are removed.

Secondly, the applicant had accepted an additional condition limiting the number of children resident in the building to four with an age cap of eighteen years so, in effect, the scale of the use and the nature of the occupants receiving care would not change fundamentally over time.

The Chairman read out a statement which had been submitted by Mr Aston, an objector.

Councillor Garland (Visiting Member) addressed the meeting.

During the discussion on this application, it was suggested that a further condition should be added to any planning consent requiring noise insulation on party walls.

RESOLVED:

1.  That permission be granted subject to the conditions and informative set out in the report, the additional conditions recommended by the Major Projects Manager at the meeting and a further condition requiring noise insulation on party walls.

2.  That the Head of Planning and Development be given delegated powers to finalise the wording of the additional conditions, in consultation with the Head of Legal Partnership as appropriate, and to amend any other conditions as a consequence.

Voting:  10 – For  0 – Against  2 – Abstentions