Agenda item - BH2016/01766 - 76-79 and 80 Buckingham Road, Brighton - Full Planning

Conversion of nos 76-79 Buckingham Road to provide four residential dwellings (C3).Demolition of no 80 Buckingham Road and the erection of a five storey building to provide 20 residential units (C3) and a community use unit (D1). Associated car parking, cycle parking, landscaping and servicing provision.

RECOMMENDATION – MINDED TO GRANT

Ward Affected: St. Peter’s and North Laine

Conversion of nos 76-79 Buckingham Road to provide four residential dwellings (C3). Demolition of no 80 Buckingham Road and the erection of a five storey building to provide 20 residential units (C3) and a community use unit (D1). Associated car parking, cycle parking, landscaping and servicing provision.

Officer Presentation

(1)          The Principal Planning Officer, Gareth Giles, gave a presentation by reference to site plans, photographs and elevational drawings. It was explained that at the meeting of the Committee which took place on 12 October 2016, Minded to Grant planning permission had been given subject to a Section 106 Agreement and a number of conditions. The affordable housing provision considered at the meeting was of 40% (9 units) of the net 22 new units being provided on-site. This complied with City Plan Part One Policy CP20 which requires the provision of 40% on-site affordable housing for sites of 15 or more net dwellings. Officers had requested that the applicant liaise with the Council’s panel of Registered Providers for affordable housing to confirm their willingness and ability to provide the proposed units. Four of the Registered Providers had responded saying the number of units was too small to currently consider and the fifth had responded saying they would only consider Shared Ownership units if they could acquire the freehold. The Council’s Housing Strategy Team had independently confirmed the position of each Registered Provider.

(2)       As on-site affordable housing provision was not currently feasible given the ;lack of willingness from Registered Providers of affordable housing to take on the units, a fall-back position of financial contributions towards affordable housing in lieu of on-site provision in the form of a Commuted Sum was therefore relevant. In addition, an option should be included in the Section 106 Agreement to provide on-site affordable housing should the position of the Registered Providers change in the future.

            Questions for Officers

(3)          Councillor Littman sought clarification regarding the commuted sum being sought and how this would be applied if used off site.

(4)          Councillor Gilbey sought clarification as to whether the Committee were being requested to choose between either of the options and it was confirmed that the Committee were being requested to agree to both options in order that the most appropriate could be pursued.

(5)          Councillor Morris asked for clarification regarding configuration of the roofs.

            Debate and Decision Making Process

(6)          Councillor C Theobald considered that the scheme was acceptable, the options suggested provided a good compromise and asked whether it was intended that the blue plaques on site would be re-instated. It was explained that the applicants had agreed to reinstate the existing plaques on completion of the work.

(7)          Councillor Cobb concurred considering that the Council would need to determine the location of any off site provision.

(8)          A vote was taken and the 10 Members present at the meeting voted unanimously that minded to grant planning permission be given.

7.3         RESOLVED – That the Committee has taken into consideration and agrees with the reasons for the recommendation set out in Appendix 1 to the report as modified by this update report and resolves that it is MINDED TO GRANT planning permission subject to a S106 agreement and to the Conditions and Informatives also set out in the report.

              Note: Councillor Mac Cafferty was not present at the meeting during consideration of or voting in respect of the above application.

              MINOR APPLICATIONS