Application Number: 17/P3551       Ward: Abbey

Officer Recommendation: GRANT Outline Planning Permission subject to completion of a S.106 Agreement and conditions

Proposal: Application for outline planning permission for the demolition of the existing hotel and the erection of a five storey building comprising 21 flats (11 x 1 bedroom and 10 x two bedroom) and 1 x two bedroom and 1 x three bedroom detached houses and associated access and parking (Access, site layout and scale of development to be considered, with appearance and landscaping reserved matters).

The Committee noted the officer’s report and presentation and information ion the supplementary agenda. The Committee received a verbal representation from an objector to the application and the applicant’s agent.

The Objector was Abdul Latif who declared that as he had a financial interest in a property in Wesley Court he was speaking as a member of the public and not in his role as Ward Councillor. He declared that he was only representing his own views and would leave the Council Chamber as soon as he had finished speaking. He made points including:

·         The application is too tall, hugely overbearing and the massing too great

·         Concerned about Block C which will directly impact on Wesley Court as it will be 3.8 m tall and is only 1m away from the rear of properties of Wesley Court. The existing wall is only 2.9m high and has frosted glass blocks to allow light in

·         Access to the development is too narrow

The Applicant’s agent  made points including:

·         The site is family owned and the current Hotel is no longer viable

·         The proposal will bring benefits to the area and is a good use of the site

·         Car parking and noise associated with the hotel will cease, and views from neighbouring buildings will improve

·         There is already overlooking in the area, and the flats at number 121 will no longer be looking at an air conditioning unit

·         Block A is a similar height to the proposal, Block B is only 2 storey with a mansard roof.

In reply to Members Questions Officers made points including:

·         The existing buildings are not attractive and there is no policy to retain hotels. All existing buildings are to be demolished and the site built on including the existing car park

·         9 units are to be offered as affordable housing – the scheme has been through a viability assessment process

·         The proposed lightwells are 3m across and there are other windows. Although light to the second bedrooms may be slightly compromised this is not unusual for such a town centre setting

·         The proposed block C would only be 3.1m tall behind Wesley Court. The figure of 3.8m include excavation. The wall behind Wesley Court is 2.9m tall and very thick, therefore the 20cm of extra height on block C will have no impact on Wesley Court. This is controlled by Condition and Officers are reasonably confident that it will not have an impact.

Members commented that Block C would have an affect on the light to Wesley Court but also they had concerns regarding the quality of the accommodation provided by Block C.

RESOLVED

The Committee voted unanimously to GRANT Planning Permission subject to conditions