Issue - meetings

The Committee received an application for full planning permission.

The application sought approval for the construction of two blocks with basement car park comprising 46 serviced apartments (Sui Generis use); 32 x studio units and 14 x one bed units. Hard and soft landscaping including a garden room, and cycle and refuse storage associated with the use are proposed.

The Senior Planner updated her report to say the Applicant had clarified that flats 20 and 27 were suitable for wheelchair users.

The Committee received a representation in objection to the application from a resident of Sandy Lane.

The representation covered the following issues:

       i.          Had no objections to the design of the application.

     ii.          Expressed concern about traffic and parking in the area:

a.    The application would exacerbate existing issues.

b.    Several BnBs plus AirBnBs were already in the area.

c.    Sandy Lane was not designed to service the number of vehicles already using it. The application could lead to more. It would be hard to control and monitor.

Mr Brown (Applicant’s Agent) addressed the Committee in support of the application.

Councillor Sargeant (West Chesterton Ward Councillor) addressed the Committee about the application:

       i.          The developer had got into difficulties by moving away from student accommodation to another use. This could lead to higher car usage.

     ii.          Took issue with details in the Applicant’s Transport Statement.

a.    Any cars not parking on-site would put pressure on neighbouring areas.

b.    Making a comparison between the serviced apartments in this application and local apart-hotels was not a suitable comparison. Apart-hotels generally provided more car parking spaces.

c.    Details about bus routes servicing the area around the application were erroneous, so public transport links were not as listed in the Transport Statement.

   iii.          Sandy Lane was not a suitable area for overflow parking.

The Committee:

Resolved (by 3 votes to 1) to grant the application for planning permission in accordance with the officer recommendation, for the reasons set out in the officer report, and subject to the conditions recommended by the officers.