Agenda item - BH2018/01160, 10 Selham Close, Brighton - Full Planning

Change of use from residential dwelling to 6no bedroom small House in Multiple Occupation (C4) incorporating revised fenestration, sound proofing, cycle stands and associated works.

RECOMMENDATION – GRANT

Ward Affected: Hollingdean & Stanmer

              Change of use from residential dwelling to 6no bedroom small House in Multiple Occupation (C4) incorporating revised fenestration, sound proofing, cycle stands and associated works

              Officer Presentation

(1)          The Principal Planning Officer, Liz Arnold, introduced the application and gave a presentation by reference to drawings, elevational drawings, block plans, floorplans and photographs. It was noted that the main considerations in the determining this application related to the principle of the change of use, the design of the external works, the standard of accommodation which the use would provide, impact upon neighbouring amenity and transport issues.

(2)          The proposed bedrooms would meet the minimum national space standards and were adequate in terms of size, circulation space and layout to cater for the furniture needed and with good levels of natural light and outlook within the unit. The communal area, consisting of an open planned kitchen, lounge and dining area, measuring approximately 20sqm, would be fairly tight for a 6 person property, with the plans only detailing space for a 4 person sofa. However, the communal space did have a functioning layout, the property benefitted from a large rear garden space and the bedroom sizes were adequate in terms of size and circulation space. On that basis, with access to a large rear garden, a functional communal space and bedrooms with adequate amounts of useable floor space, the future occupants would likely benefit from an acceptable standard of accommodation and the application could be supported on that basis. If however the communal space was converted to a bedroom in future, this would severely restrict the level of shared space available to the occupants and, therefore, a condition would be applied to any permission granted restricting the use of that room to communal use only to ensure an acceptable layout and level of communal space was retained. The proposed change of use would result in a more intensive use of the property including the number of trips made to/from the property and a greater impact on the immediate and surrounding area. It was not considered however that this would be of such magnitude to warrant refusal of planning permission and approval was therefore recommended.

              Debate and Decision Making Process

(3)          The Committee then moved straight to the vote. A vote was taken and the 10 Members present when the vote was taken voted 9 to 1 that Planning Permission be granted.

77.8    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 permission subject to the Conditions and Informatives also set out in the report:

              Note: Councillors Hyde and Bennett were not present at the meeting during consideration or determination of the above application.