Decision details

Councillor Tunnicliffe withdrew from the meeting for this item and did not participate in the discussion or decision making.

 

The Committee received an application for change of use.

 

The application sought approval to change from residential to commercial A3 use (restaurants and cafes), erection of extensions and internal and external alterations to the listed building.

 

The Committee received representations in objection to the application from the following:

·       A representative from Jesus Green Association.

·       A local resident.

 

The representations covered the following issues:

       i.          Concern over lack of consultation. Public consultation on the change of use had been bypassed by using the planning system.

     ii.          Concern over (delivery) logistics and waste arrangements.

   iii.          The proposal reduced the amount of housing in the area.

   iv.          The application for change of use was made by the tenant not the owner. Activity would spill out onto the lock. Use of the lock should be controlled through the Master Plan. Private commercial activity outside of the City Council’s control should not occur on Jesus Green.

    v.          Queried why under-use of the building (in the application) was not a material consideration.

 

Mr Martin (Applicant) and Mr Godfrey (Applicant’s Representative) addressed the Committee in support of the application.

 

Councillor Bick (Market Ward Councillor) addressed the Committee about the application.

 

The representation covered the following issues:

       i.          The City Council protected housing through Local Plan Policy 5/4. The application did not meet the 4 criteria under this policy to justify a change in use.

a.    The Lock House was already in use as a house in multiple occupation.

b.    It was suitable for habitation.

c.    Tenants were happy with current privacy arrangements and amenity space.

d.    The Lock House was constructed for a housing purpose, there was insufficient reason for it to become a community café.

     ii.          The Lock House provides a surveillance opportunity over the nearby open space to deter anti-social behaviour.

 

Councillor Gillespie (Market Ward Councillor) addressed the Committee about the application.

 

The representation covered the following issues:

       i.          He had withdrawn his previous objection as waste disposal arrangements were now acceptable and local food would be sourced for the café.

     ii.          There was a strong need for a community café and meeting rooms in the area.

   iii.          There was no comparison with the Mid Summer House situation.

 

The Committee:

 

Resolved (3 votes to 3 – and on the Chair’s casting vote) to reject the officer recommendation to approve the application.

 

Resolved (by 3 votes to 1) to refuse the application contrary to the officer recommendation for the following reason:

 

The proposal will result in a loss of residential accommodation and is therefore contrary to policy 5/4 of the Cambridge Local Plan (2006).