Agenda item - BH2014/03354 - 51 Barnett Road, Brighton - Full Planning

Change of use from three bedroom single dwelling (C3) to four bedroom small house in multiple occupation (C4).

RECOMMENDATION – GRANT

Change of use from three bedroom single dwelling (C3) to four bedroom small house in multiple occupation (C4).

1)               The Principal Planning Officer, Jon Puplett, introduced the scheme with reference to photographs, plans and elevational drawings; there was also an additional condition in respect of refuse storage. The application sought change of use to a small HMO in C4 use, and permission was sought due to the article 4 direction affecting the ward. It was clarified that the scheme sought to turn the existing living room into a fourth bedroom, and HMO mapping showed that 4.5% of properties within the policy radius were in HMO use – this was below the 10% threshold and compliant with policy. The application was recommended for approval for the reasons set out in the report.

Debate and Decision Making Process

2)               Councillor C. Theobald noted that she agreed with the comments of the three ward Councillors in the report, and she felt the HMO concentration was already too high.

3)               Councillor Carden noted that the application fell within policy and could not see any reason to refuse. Officers also clarified how the article 4 direction operated.

4)               Councillor Jones stated his view that the property should remain a family home, but in policy terms he could see no reason to refuse the application.

5)               Councillor Cox stated that students had to be housed in the city, and a refusal would likely be lost at appeal.

6)               Councillor Phillips noted that not all HMOs were occupied by students, and they also provided more affordable accommodation for working young people.

7)               In response to the Chair the Senior Solicitor, Hilary Woodward, clarified that the article 4 direction removed permitted development rights to change to an HMO and instead the change of use had to be determined through a planning application. The Planning and Building Control Applications Manager, Jeanette Walsh, noted that there was an intention to review the methodology contained in policy CP21.

8)               Councillor Littman noted he could see no reason to refuse the application.

9)               A vote was taken by the 12 Members present at the Committee and the Officer recommendation that planning permission be granted was carried with 8 in support and 4 abstentions.

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