Agenda item

To consider the report of the Director of Strategy, Performance and Governance (copy enclosed, Members’ Update to be circulated)*.

A Members’ Update was submitted detailing representations received from interested parties and another letter from the agent providing further information regarding the proposed development.

Following the Officer’s presentation, an Objector, Mr Overall, a Supporter, Jo Batchelor and the Agent, Miss Nichola Brown, addressed the Committee.

A debate ensued where the benefits and problems surrounding the change of use this application presented were discussed. It was acknowledged that there was a need to support the vulnerable in society whilst securing the residential amenity of the existing residents. Members involved in this area of support work said that, from experience, having an open dialogue between residents and the respective children’s home facilitated positive co-existence.

The Committee were reminded that the proposed development had been assessed against all material planning considerations and was considered acceptable. Furthermore, the application was supported by Burnham Town Council.

The Lead Specialist Place advised the Committee that, given the resident consultation expiry date of the 18 June 2019, the recommendation on the report would be revised to one of delegation to the Director of Strategy, Performance and Governance for approval. A new report would be provided at the next Committee meeting, should new material planning considerations be raised.

The Chairman put the revised recommendation to the Committee that the decision be delegated to the Director of Strategy, Performance and Governance to be approved as per the officer’s recommendation, subject to no new material considerations being raised during the remainder of the neighbour consultation period, and this was agreed. 

RESOLVED that the decision be delegated to the Director of Strategy, Performance and Governance to be APPROVED as per the officer’s recommendation, subject to no new material considerations being raised during the remainder of the neighbour consultation period and subject to the following conditions:

1.    The development hereby permitted shall be begun before the expiration of three years from the date of this permission.

2.    The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in complete accordance with approved drawings: Location Plan and Block Plan.

3.    The development hereby approved shall only be used as a children’s home and

or no other use within Use Class C2 of the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987 (as amended) unless otherwise agreed in writing by the local planning authority.

4.    Details of a cycle stores shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority prior to the first occupation of the development. The development shall be implemented in accordance with the approved details and be retained as such in perpetuity thereafter.