Agenda item - BH2018/00164, 58 Staplefield Drive, Brighton- Full Planning

Change of use from 3 bedroom dwelling house (C3) to 4 bedroom small house in multiple occupation (C4). (Part Retrospective)

RECOMMENDATION – GRANT

Ward AffectedMoulsecoomb & Bevendean

              Change of use from 3 bedroom dwelling house (C3) to 4 bedroom small house in multiple occupation (C4). (Retrospective)

              Officer Presentation

(1)          The Principal Planning Officer, Jonathan Puplett, introduced the application and gave a presentation by reference to site plans, floor plans, elevational drawings and photographs. It was explained that the application related to a two storey semi-detached house on the west side of Staplefield Drive. Retrospective planning permission was sought for the change of use of a three bedroom dwelling house (C3) to a small house in multiple occupation (C4) with four bedrooms.

(2)          The main considerations in determining this application related to the principle of the change of use to either class C4, a mixed C3/C4 use or to a sui generis House in Multiple Occupation. A mapping exercise had been undertaken which had indicated that there were 35 neighbouring properties within a 50m radius of the application property. Three other properties had also been identified as being in HMO use within the 50m radius. The percentage of neighbouring properties in HMO use within the radius area was thus 8.57%. Based upon the existing percentage of neighbouring properties in HMO use, which was less than 10%, the proposal to change use to a four bed house in multiple occupation would not be in conflict with policy CP21.

(3)          No external alterations had been made to the property, and consequently there were no adverse impacts on the design and appearance of the property. It was recommended that permitted development rights to make any future alterations be removed by planning condition. Overall the proposed standard of accommodation was considered to be acceptable and conditions were recommended to restrict the number of occupants proposed to four as this was the number that had been proposed by the applicant and would also ensure that the proposed communal rooms were retained as such and not used as additional bedroom space in the future. No on-site was available however the proposed development was unlikely to cause significantly increased demand for on-street parking. It was recommended that cycle parking provision be secured by planning condition.

            Debate and Decision Making Process

(4)          The Committee raised no further matters and moved directly to the vote.

(5)          A vote was taken and of the 8 members of the Committee present when the vote was taken on a vote of 6 to 2 planning permission was granted.

18.14    RESOLVED - That the Committee has taken into consideration and agrees with the reasons for the recommendation set out in the report and resolves to GRANT planning permissions subject to the Conditions and Informatives also set out in the report.

(Note1): Councillors Mac Cafferty, Miller, Morgan and C Theobald were not present at the meeting when the vote was taken.