Agenda item

Change of use of a dwellinghouse (Use Class C3) to a four bed home where specialist care is provided for residents (Class C2)

Recommendations: Approval

RESOLVED: That the application be approved as per officer’s recommendation.

That the application be approved as per officer’s recommendation Change of use of a dwelling house (Use Class C3) to a four-bed home where specialist care is provided for residents (Class C2)

Officers introduced the application and made a recommendation for approval. 

A petitioner in objection of the proposed development addressed the Committee and referred to photographs that were circulated to Members and officers prior to the meeting. It was submitted that there had been a lack of transparency regarding the nature of the business for the childrens home. The house was originally built as two-bedroom property with a small garden. There had already been extensive development at the rear. Concerns about a long history of anti-social behaviour in the area were raised and a recent incident of drug dealing had been reported to the police. It was noted that this area had been listed as an area of priority  by the Charville Ward Panel and police. There were already eight houses on a narrow road with limited parking space and the development did not meet parking policies. It was submitted that the development would cause road safety concerns and would generate more traffic and noise. Traffic and parking was already an issue due to the nearby school and park. It was noted that there were already childrens centres nearby Weymouth Road.

The agent for the application addressed the Committee and outlined the proposal. It was noted that the applicant had worked closely with officers, residents and local consultees since August 2021 to address any concerns and make this application acceptable. The new small residential care facility would meet an established need in the Borough. The principle of the development was considered acceptable and would create a caring environment.  It was noted that occupiers would have access to private rear amenity space, communal space and there would be no adverse noise impacts on neighbouring properties. There would also be two members of staff onsite 24 hours, 7 days a week with a manager on site between 09:00 – 17:00. Two car parking spaces had been included as part of the proposal and this had been considered as sufficient. Additional car space could also be easily accommodated by the nearby area and three cycle spaces had also been proposed. The Committee was reassured that the facility would provide long term care to vulnerable children and Members were urged to approve the application.

In response to Member clarification questions regarding resident concerns about noise and ASB, it was noted that there would be two members of staff on site 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

Councillor Darran Davies, Ward Councillor for Charville addressed the Committee and supported the residents petition against the change of use. It was noted that there were 10 special provision properties in Charville and since the use of these properties, there had been a vast increase in anti-social behaviour. The proposal was already on an oversubscribed road and would add to the parking and traffic congestion issues. It was submitted that the parking provision suggested was inadequate and concerns were raised regarding the traffic survey. There was a shortage of four-bed homes in the Borough and the Committee was asked to consider the residents and continue to put them first.

The Legal Advisor advised the Committee to make its decision based on the information before it and to avoid making any assumptions regarding anti-social behaviour. There had been no objections from the police or any other council departments regarding anti-social behaviour.

In response to Member questions about the adequacy of two car spaces and the removal of a four- bed house, it was explained that local plan standards had been considered alongside the wider impacts through transport assessments that had been undertaken. A third car could be parked on street and this was not enough to form a refusal reason. The survey had also been undertaken in the evening to gauge real impacts of the parking situation. In terms of the removal of a four-bed house, this had been weighed against the introduction of a needed care facility. It was also noted that there was no identified amenity space needed for this use and there was also a park nearby.

Although Members supported the provision of the facility, they were keen to safeguard the interests of residents. It was advised that condition 4 could be strengthen to state that the building shall only be used a four-bedroom residential care home for no more than four children aged 11 – 17 years old.

The officer’s recommendation, inclusive of strengthening condition 4 to include that the building shall only be used a four-bedroom residential care home for no more than four children aged 11 – 17 years old, was moved, seconded, and when put to a vote, was unanimously agreed.

RESOLVED: That the application be approved as per officer recommendation subject to strengthening condition 4.