Agenda item

            That planning permission be granted subject to the conditions detailed in the report of the Chief Officer (Planning and Environment) and subject to the applicant entering into:-

(a)       A Section 106 Obligation/Unilateral Undertaking to ensure that the units are offered for sale or rent to meet affordable local housing needs.

(b)       A Section 106 Obligation/Unilateral Undertaking or advance payment of £733 per unit towards the maintenance and enhancement of open space in the locality. 

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Officer (Planning and Environment) in respect of this application.  The usual consultations had been undertaken and the responses received detailed in the report.  Additional comments received since the preparation of the report were circulated at the meeting. 

            The officer detailed the background to the report and explained that the proposal was to convert commercial units, which had been vacant for some time due to the operators moving to larger premises, to 4 no. dwellings.  It was proposed to brick-up some of the window and door openings along with the existing garage to adapt the building for residential use.  Higher Kinnerton was a Category C settlement and therefore any new dwelling needed to be for local need to comply with Policy HSG3.  The applicant had not yet decided whether the properties would be available for sale or rent but a Section 106 (S106) obligation or unilateral undertaking could ensure that the units were offered for sale or rent to meet affordable housing needs. 

            Councillor Chris Bithell proposed the recommendation for approval which was duly seconded.  He felt that the application complied with all requirements of planning policy and the building had been marketed for further commercial use without success.  It was reported that the principle of conversion into residential use was acceptable and the requirement to meet local affordable housing need could be met through a S106 obligation. 

            In referring to paragraph 7.06, Councillor Mike Peers raised concern that the applicant had not yet decided whether the dwellings would be provided for sale or rent and that the response of the Housing Strategy Unit was also not listed under the consultation section of the report.  He asked whether there was any update on whether the properties would be for sale or rent.  In response to the comments made, the officer recognised that it would have been beneficial to include the response of the Housing Strategy Unit in the report.  He added that discussions had also taken place with the applicant’s agent to clarify whether it was intended that the properties would be for sale or rent.  The S106 obligation would ensure that the issue of offering the units for sale or rent to meet affordable local housing need was addressed.

Councillor Richard Lloyd sought clarification on whether there were eight parking spaces within the site as reported in paragraph 7.03.  The Senior Engineer – Highways Development Control confirmed that the proposal provided eight parking spaces within the curtilage of the site which met the policy requirements.  In response to a query from Councillor Owen Thomas, she added that there was no requirement for a turning space within the site and that it was acceptable for vehicles to reverse out owing to the nature of Park Avenue.    

            RESOLVED:

            That planning permission be granted subject to the conditions detailed in the report of the Chief Officer (Planning and Environment) and subject to the applicant entering into:-

(a)       A Section 106 Obligation/Unilateral Undertaking to ensure that the units are offered for sale or rent to meet affordable local housing needs.

(b)       A Section 106 Obligation/Unilateral Undertaking or advance payment of £733 per unit towards the maintenance and enhancement of open space in the locality.