Agenda item

Report of the Planning and Development Manager, recommending conditional approval in respect of the application for a proposed development at the above address, attached.

Retrospective application for change of use from a single dwelling house (Use Class C3) to a 9-bed House in Multiple Occupation (Sui Generis) and a 5-bedroom House in Multiple Occupation (Use Class C4)

Mrs Barter (Local Resident) and Mr Claisse (Highfield Residents Association) were present and with the consent of the Chair, addressed the meeting.

UPON BEING PUT TO THE VOTE THE OFFICER RECOMMENDATION TO GRANT CONDITIONAL PLANNING PERMISSION WAS CARRIED

RECORDED VOTE:

FOR:      Councillors Jones, Letts, Mead, Osmond and Thomas

ABSTAINED:  Councillor Fitzhenry

RESOLVED that planning approval be granted subject to the conditions in the report and the amended conditions set out below. 

Amended Conditions

3 - Landscaping, lighting and means of enclosure detailed plan

Notwithstanding the submitted details within one month of the date of this consent, a detailed landscaping scheme and implementation timetable shall be submitted to and approved by the Local Planning Authority which includes:

(i)  proposed finished ground levels or contours; means of enclosure; car parking layouts; other vehicle pedestrian access and circulations areas, hard surfacing materials, structures and ancillary objects (refuse bins, lighting columns etc.);

(ii)  planting plans; written specifications (including cultivation and other operations associated with plant and grass establishment); schedules of plants, noting species, plant sizes and proposed numbers/planting densities where appropriate;

(iii)  an accurate plot of all trees to be retained and to be lost. Any trees to be lost shall be replaced on a favourable basis (a two-for one basis unless circumstances dictate otherwise);

(iv)  details of any proposed boundary treatment, including retaining walls; and

(v)  a landscape management scheme.

Any trees, shrubs, seeded or turfed areas which die, fail to establish, are removed or become damaged or diseased, within a period of 5 years from the date of planting shall be replaced by the Developer in the next planting season with others of a similar size and species unless the Local Planning Authority gives written consent to any variation.  The Developer shall be responsible for any replacements for a period of 5 years from the date of planting.

The approved hard and soft landscaping scheme (including parking) for the whole site shall be carried out prior to occupation of the building or during the first planting season following the full completion of building works, whichever is sooner.  The approved scheme implemented shall be maintained for a minimum period of 5 years following its complete provision.

REASON:

To improve the appearance of the site and enhance the character of the development in the interests of visual amenity, to ensure that the development makes a positive contribution to the local environment and, in accordance with the duty required of the Local Planning Authority by Section 197 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

5 – Restriction on number of occupiers

The Sui Generis House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) shall only be used for a maximum of 9 residents and for no other purpose unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority and the Use Class C4 HMO shall only be used for a maximum of 6 residents and for no other purpose unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority.  The communal lounges and kitchens as shown on the plans shall be retained for the communal use of the occupants of the properties.

REASON:

To define the planning permission and to ensure that the HMO meets Council's standards.

REASONS FOR THE DECISION

The development has been assessed as being acceptable to residential amenity and its local residential context taking into account the policies and proposals of the Development Plan as set out below. Other material considerations do not have sufficient weight to justify a refusal of the application for the reasons given in the report to the Planning and Rights of Way Panel on the 23 November 2010. The proposal would not harm the character or amenity of the area and the level of car parking is acceptable. In accordance with Section 38 (6) of the Planning & Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 Planning Permission should therefore be granted.

Policies SDP1, SDP7 and H4 of the City of Southampton Local Plan Review - Adopted March 2006.  Policy CS16 of the Local Development Framework Core Strategy - January 2010.