Issue - meetings

Change of use of 2no. outbuildings to granny annexes. 

Recommendation: Approval. 

RESOLVED: That a decision on the application be deferred for a Member site visit to consider the proposal.

Change of use of 2no. outbuildings to granny annexes.

Officers introduced the application which was recommended for approval. Members were informed that there was potential for an appeal on this application hence the Council needed to demonstrate that it had learnt from previous appeal decisions.

A petition in objection to the application had been received. The lead petitioner was in attendance to address the Committee Members. Key points highlighted included:

• The original report contained an incorrect front view of the property.
• The correct view was provided, showing the left-hand side of the property.
• The view included numbers 20, 18, and 16 to the right, and numbers 19 and 21 to the left.
• The property owners had dug up the front shared drive for one week, which had then remained for seven months.
• They illegally tapped into the mains water pipe, causing brown water issues.
• Affinity Water had had to fix the pipe on several occasions.
• The owners damaged fences and exposed neighbouring properties.
• The property was used as an unlicensed HMO with up to 10 people living in it.
• The house was covered in mould, posing a risk to a newborn child.
• Water and electric pipes were fed through a trench around the back, causing the fencing to fall down.
• The owners claimed the outbuildings were for their parents, but residents feared they would be rented out.
• The Council had rejected the planning permission for the outbuildings.
• The residents were concerned about the impact on the street scene and community.
• There were issues with litter and fly-tipping in the area.
• The safety of children and neighbouring properties was compromised.

Members noted that only material considerations could be taken into account.

The agent for the application was also in attendance and addressed the Committee Members. Key points highlighted included:

• The agent advocated for the approval of the planning application for the proposed use of the outbuildings as residential annexes for the applicant's elderly parents.
• The proposal aimed to provide a safe, comfortable, and accessible living environment for the applicant's parents, allowing them to maintain their independence while being close to their family.
• The proposed development was intended to have a minimal impact on the surrounding area, as the outbuildings were already in place and their conversion to residential use would not alter the character or appearance of the area.
• There was no significant increase in traffic or demand on local services expected, as the annexes were intended for family use only.
• The proposal aligned with the National Planning Policy Framework, which emphasised the importance of providing a range of housing options to meet the diverse needs of the population, including the elderly and those with disabilities.
• The proposed development complied with local planning policies that encouraged the use of existing buildings for residential purposes.
• Concerns raised by neighbours were noted, but they were not considered relevant or significant enough to warrant refusal of the application.
• Planning permission would be required to change the use of the annexes to self-contained dwellings, and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 37