Change of use of an existing building in use as a C2 Care Home into a 13 bedroom HMO Sui Generis, hip to gable roof structure with side and rear dormers.

The committee received the report of the Interim Head of Development Management, including the relevant planning history of the site.

The Principle Planning Officer (OO) introduced the report, explaining that the application proposed the change of use of the existing building in use as a C2 Care Home to a 13 bedroom home of multiple occupation (HMO) Sui Generis, hip to gable roof structure with side and rear dormers.  The application was submitted with a supporting statement explaining that the building would continue to house vulnerable people but the level of care or support would not be the same as required under a Class 2 Care Home.

Members discussed how the use of the building as an HMO would provide for greater flexibility and in response to a question about any future sale of the property, the Interim Head of Development Management explained that there were no conditions that would restrict the building’s use and that the HMO complied with policy that currently applied.

The committee raised issues about the potential for the premises to stop providing any care or support in the future and reverting to a standard HMO, and of the possible implications for residents.  The Interim Head of Development Management advised that this was unlikely to be the case as the managers of the property had a 25 year lease.

Members talked about how premises were categorised as care homes, and the Interim Head of Development Management clarified that the categorisation was determined by the Care Quality Commission and not the planning authority.  She concluded discussions by explaining that there would be no reduction in the number of dwellings as a result of the change of use of the property to an HMO.

The Chair moved the officer’s recommendation.

RESOLVED –

That planning permission be approved subject to a s.106 to vary the traffic regulation order and provide fire hydrants and the following conditions:

1.      The development to which this permission relates shall be begun within a period of three years commencing on the date of this permission.

2.      The development shall be carried out in accordance with the following drawings, unless otherwise approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority:  Drawing Nos. 001, 002, 001 (1/11/2019), 002 (1/11/2019) and Location Map.

3.      All the external surfaces of the development shall be finished in materials to match the colour, texture and style of the existing building.

Informatives

IN907 Consideration of proposal in a positive and proactive manner

IN910 Building Regulations

IN912 Hours of Construction

IN911 Party Wall Act