Agenda item

To consider the report of the Director of Strategy, Performance and Governance, (copy enclosed)

A Members’ Update had been submitted detailing supportive comments from Sound Acoustics Limited.

Following the Officer’s presentation, the Applicant, Fay Collin, addressed the Committee.

Members debated the application and the difference between renting the property on the open market as opposed to renting to workers employed by the business. It was noted that the use of the building as self-contained flats had already commenced and residents were happy. Therefore, the objections of the Environmental Health Officer were considered to be outweighed by the experiences of the operation of the site and weight should be afforded to the fact that the occupants would become homeless if the flats were not approved.

Councillor Helm proposed that the application be approved contrary to the Officer’s recommendation and this was seconded by Councillor Mrs Acevedo.

The Chairman put the proposal to approve to the Committee and this was unanimously agreed.

RESOLVED that the application be APPROVED subject to the following conditions:-

1          The amenity area shown on the updated plan submitted with this application (Ref: 36CM36AQ_BP1.2) shall be laid out and available for use as amenity space for the occupants of all the flats and motel units hereby permitted within 3 months of first occupation of the flats and retained for such purposes thereafter.

            REASON: To ensure adequate open amenity space is available for the occupants of all the flats in accordance with policy D1 of the approved Maldon District Local Development Plan.

2          The parking spaces and means of access thereto as shown on the approved plan (Ref: 36CM36AQ_BP1.2) shall be constructed, surfaced, laid out and made available for use in accordance with the approved scheme at the same time as the amenity space is provided in accordance with condition 1.

            REASON:  To ensure appropriate parking is provided in accordance with policies D1 and T2 of the approved Maldon District Local Development Plan.

3          The motel units hereby permitted shall be used for holiday purposes only.

            REASON: To ensure the appropriate use of the site for holiday let accommodation and compliance with policy E5 of the Maldon District Local Development Plan.

4          The owners/operators shall maintain an up to date register of the names of all occupiers of individual holiday accommodation on the site (the motel units), and of their main home addresses, including dates of arrival and departure from the holiday let, and shall make this information available at all reasonable time to the local planning authority.

            REASON: To ensure the appropriate use of the site for holiday let accommodation and compliance with policy E5 of the Maldon District Local Development Plan.

5          The holiday accommodation (motel units) shall not be occupied by the same person or persons for more than 28 days in any 2 month period.

            REASON:  To ensure appropriate use of the site for holiday accommodation in compliance with policy E5 of the approved Maldon District Local Development Plan.