Issue - meetings

Conversion of Public House with ancillary accommodation above to provide 2 x 3 bed single family dwellings.

RECOMMENDATION: grant permission subject to conditions.

The Committee considered a report on the application to grant planning permission for the conversion of the public house with ancillary accommodation above to provide 2 x3 bed single family dwellings. The report set out details of the proposal, the site and surroundings, planning history, relevant planning policy, consultation and responses, analysis, equalities and human rights implications and recommended to grant permission subject to conditions.

The planning officer gave a short presentation highlighting the key aspects of the report. The Committee’s attention was drawn to a tabled addendum setting out details of a ministerial statement and accompanying guidance made on 28 November announcing a number of changes to national policy regarding s106 planning obligations for small scale developments. Officers identified that the ministerial statement constituted a material consideration to which the Committee would need to have regard in determining the application. The addendum also set out details of further representations received. It was additionally advised that an application had made on 8 December to designate the pub an asset of community value. The Council had an 8 week deadline within which to determine the application.

A number of objectors addressed the Committee as well as a written statement read out on behalf of a local resident unable to attend, and raised the following points:

·         The pub currently as well as historically represented an important meeting space for local people and was considered to be an important heart of the community and local asset. 

·         There were no other traditional pubs located in the vicinity.

·         The pub had been run as a viable and successful business over many years, with no evidence provided by the applicant that this position had changed. The last landlord, who had run the pub for 10 years until its closure at the beginning of the year, had confirmed that the business had been financially viable.

·         The freeholder was selling the site at short notice to a speculator in order to make money from the change of use to residential with limited concern on the impact on the local community.

·         The redevelopment would make no contribution to the area as a local asset and would only provide one additional residential unit above that currently provided.

Cllr Berryman addressed the Committee as a local ward councillor and made the following points:

·         The pub had been run as a successful business for years including through the recession.

·         The redevelopment would not provide affordable housing but two high value units on a street already containing several new residential developments.

·         Businesses in the local parade were already suffering from the closure of the pub.

·         Over 1500 local residents had signed a petition against the proposed change of use of the pub, with the campaign making the front page of the local newspaper.

 A number of supporters, including a representative for the applicant, addressed the Committee and made the following points:

·         The scheme would have a positive impact on the amenity of surrounding residential properties as the pub had been the subject of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3