Agenda item

Approved, subject to requirements to be set out in the Minutes.

The Principal Planning Officer submitted a report to the Committee which sought approval for a single storey extension forming a new frontage and access to the upper floor, single storey rear extension, conversion of upper floor to 2 flats, sub-division of the ground floor shop into 2 units forming 1 retail unit (class E) and one café/restaurant with takeaway and installation of an extraction flue to the rear. Members’ attention was drawn to the addendum which contained one additional neighbour objection. It was outlined that the site was in a sustainable location and was currently vacant. The principle of the development was accepted as there are examples of residential accommodation at first floor within the area and the ground floor uses would bring a vacant unit back into use, contributing towards the vitality and viability of the local centre. It was not considered that the design of the extensions would harm the appearance of the area. The application site was located within a sustainable location close to public transport links and shopping facilities and as such the nil provision of car parking was accepted. Waste storage and cycle storage were proposed to the front and rear of the property and within the proposed flats.

Councillor E Roberts, in her capacity as a Ward Councillor for Delapre & Briar Hill, spoke against the application and expressed concern around waste and parking issues. She noted that restaurants were not prevalent on this side of the street and stated that the flat roof was concerning, noting that the area suffered regularly with flooding. She stated that the Planning Department needed to start working more closely with Highways and the Local Flood Authority and Highways could not continue not accepting parking surveys. Councillor Roberts did not agree that the uses would improve the vitality and viability of the area.

Ali Ay, the agent on behalf of the applicant, spoke in favour of the application and commented that the development would bring a long-time empty building back into use, and the applicant had worked with planning to ensure the application was acceptable.

Jabeer Miah, representing the applicant, spoke in favour of the application and commented that the applicant proposed to sell healthy food from the premises. The upstairs dwellings were not HMOs and the location was considered sustainable. Mr Miah advised that the shop had been empty since October 2020 and there had been no interest in it since. It was advised that there are a lot of shops closing and there is a need to keep the street working with viable uses.

In response to questions, the Committee heard from Mr Miah that the extension did not warrant additional drainage works as it was a small extension and the existing building is a shop.

In response to questions, the Principal Planning Officer advised that fire protection was the remit of Building Control and so not a consideration for the Planning Committee for a development of this size. It was advised that it would be unreasonable to require parking for this development due to its highly sustainable location, and that Planning Inspectors are consistently advising that development in sustainable locations do not require parking, as people choose the area due to its sustainable location where they can walk or cycle into the town centre and local services. 

Members discussed the report.

RESOLVED:

That the application be APPROVED subject to the conditions and reasons as set out in the report.