Agenda item - BH2012/01263 - Amber Court, 38 Salisbury Road, Hove - Full Planning

Change of use of part of basement level of block of flats to commercial office (B1) with associated external alterations including new access ramp and cycle storage to front elevation.

(1)             The Area Planning Manager, Nicola Hurley, gave a presentation by reference to plans, photographs and elevational drawings. The application site related to a three-storey flat roofed property on Salisbury Road with the ground floor raised at street level; it was noted that the eastern side of the street was largely traditional. Permission was sought for a lower ground floor level to create office space with similar fenestration to the existing frontage. The main considerations related to the impact of the office on the character of the building; highways safety and amenity considerations. The principle of the application did conflict with Policy EM4; however, it sought to provide additional employment opportunities in the city. There would be a ramp and pedestrian access within the existing curtilage and a number of buildings in the street already had lower ground floors, but the design would not replicate the existing proportions. The lower ground floor was considered to be well designed and there would be no harmful loss of light or outlook. Whilst Environmental Protection had suggested there would be increased noise due to the new use policy stated that B1 office use was compatible with residential units. It was not expected that the application would cause material harm and for these reasons the application was recommended for approval.

Question(s) for Officers, Debate and Decision Making Process

(2)             In response to Councillor Hyde the Principal Transport Officer, Steven Shaw, explained that there would be a loss of two parking spaces at the front of the site, but all the other garages and parking at the rear would be retained. In relation to proposed 14 cycle spaces this figure had been driven by the applicant.

(3)             In response to the Chair it was explained that the new frontage proposed fenestration to match the existing.

(4)             In response to Councillor C. Theobald it was explained that the cycle provision would be communal for use by both the residential and commercial aspects of the site, and the potential number of employees at the site had not been identified by the applicant.

(5)             The Committee expressed some concern about the details of the materials and it was agreed that this would be agreed by the Head of Development Control in consultation with the Chair, Deputy Chair and Opposition Spokespersons.

(6)             A vote was taken and the Officer recommendation that planning permission be granted was carried unanimously by the 11 Members presents at the meeting.

189.4    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 and details of materials to be provided under condition 5) to be agreed by the Head of Development Control in consultation with the Chair, Deputy Chair and Opposition Spokespersons..

              Note: Councillor Duncan was not present at the meeting.