Agenda item - BH2014/00431 - 31 Isfield Road, Brighton - Full Planning

Change of use from 6 bedroom small house in multiple occupation (C4) to 7 bedroom house in multiple occupation (Sui Generis) including insertion of window to north east elevation.

RECOMMENDATION - GRANT

Change of use from 6 bedroom small house in multiple occupation (C4) to 7 bedroom house in multiple occupation (Sui Generis) including insertion of window to north east elevation.

(1)                   The Area Planning Manager, Nicola Hurley, introduced the application and gave a presentation by reference to photographs, plans and elevational drawings. The property currently had an existing single storey extension at the rear and permission was sought for the change of use. The main considerations related to the impact of the change of use. Currently the property was in use as a 6 bedroom C4 small house in multiple occupancy and it was licensed prior to the 2013 changes – as such the C4 use was considered to be established. Based on the level of HMO occupancy in the radius it was calculated that 15.5% were in HMO occupancy – City Plan policy CP21 discussed rates above 10% warranting a reason for refusal; however, as the use HMO was established the application should be considered in terms of the impact of the additional bedroom. The impact was considered acceptable and for these reasons the application was recommended for approval.

Questions for Officers, Debate and Decision Making Process

(2)                   In response to Councillor Duncan it was confirmed that details in relation to the cycle parking would be covered under the proposed Condition 6.

(3)                   In response to Councillor Mac Cafferty the dimensions of the seventh bedroom were confirmed.

(4)                   A vote was taken and the Officer recommendation to grant planning permission was carried on a vote of 8 in support, 2 against and 2 abstentions.

177.9    RESOLVED - That the Committee has taken into consideration the recommendation and agrees with the reasons for the recommendation set out in section 11 and resolved to GRANT planning permission subject to conditions and informatives.