Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED to note that an apology for absence was received from Councillor Waters.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the planning committee held on 21 April 2021 had been confirmed and signed by the previous Chair of the Planning Committee, Councillor Paul Bell.

Applications for planning permission, listed building consent and appeal information

            The Committee considered the planning application report and noted additional    information on the applications included in the late letters’ list.

(i)           Planning application WP/20/00858/FUL – 41 Cotswold Drive, Wellingborough

The Committee considered an application for a changeof use application from a dwelling C3 to a residential institution C2 (children’s home with one child) at 41 Cotswold Drive, Wellingborough for Mr N Reuben.

The report detailed the proposal, description of the site, the planning history, relevant planning policies, outcome of consultations and an assessment of the proposal.

The planning application was recommended for refusal for the reasons set out in the report.

The Chair then invited the committee to determine the application.

One member had concerns that the planning application was recommended for refusal on the grounds there is a need for small dwellings of this type within North Northamptonshire. He referred to the amount of houses of similar size within new developments in the Wellingborough Area ie Glenvale Park SUE, Stanton Cross SUE and Park Farm Way. He also considered the three-bedroom dwelling had sufficient car parking to accommodate the change of use. The member also felt that children should be integrated within the community.

The Senior Development Management Officer responded that advice had been sought from Northamptonshire Children’s Trust and the Housing Strategy Officer. She reported that the Northamptonshire Children’s Trust had not confirmed the home was needed or would be utilised by them. She added that the provider could also accept children and young people from another local authority area outside of North Northamptonshire. She advised that the Housing Strategy Officer considered the applicant had not demonstrated a need for the home and confirmed there is a need for smaller dwellings of this type of house and the loss of the current dwelling would add to that need. In relation to parking, the Senior Development Management Officer advised that two car parking spaces are required for three-bedroom houses. She added that garages do not count and a C2 residential institution is required to provide a car parking space for each member of staff. The Senior Development Management Officer commented that there are other more suitable places for this commercial use than in this residential area.

Other members spoke and supported the officer’s report and the refusal reasons.

It was proposed by Councillor L Lawman and seconded by Councillor Harrington that the planning application be refused.

            On being put to the vote, the motion for refusal was carried by 5 votes and 1 abstention.

RESOLVED that the planning application be refused for the following reasons:

1.         The social benefits of the application are considered limited as the placing authority has not confirmed that they would utilise the children's home.  The site contains a small three-bedroom dwelling and there is an identified and evidenced need for small dwellings within North Northamptonshire.  The proposal has adverse environmental impacts as the parking proposed does not comply with the local standard.  The  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

(i)           Delegated Officers’ report

RESOLVED to note the Delegated officers’ report.

(ii)         Planning Appeal Decision letters

RESOLVED to note the following circulated decision letters, dated:

(a)          21/04/2021, for a two-storey rear extension. Demolition and rebuilding of double garage and re-modelling of outbuilding at 8 The Green, Orlingbury, which was dismissed;

(b)          29/04/2021, for a certificate of lawful use or development sought permitted pursuant to WP/2013/0420/F – Erection of workshop (Class B2) with ancillary offices (Unit A) together with separate office (Class B1) building (Unit B), new access road and parking at former Scrap Yard, 304 Station Road Isham, which was allowed;

(c)          30/04/2021, for a part-single-storey, part-double storey extension to the side and rear of the property at 62 The Drive, Wellingborough, which was dismissed;

(d)          19/05/2021, for a 6 foot fence adjacent to footpath at 117 Torrington Crescent, Wellingborough, which was dismissed;

(e)          19/05/2021, for a proposed two-storey rear extension and single storey front at 1 Millers Park, Wellingborough, which was allowed.

RESOLVED to note there were none.

The meeting closed at 8:25 pm.