Issue - meetings

Consideration was given to Planning application 23/1406/LA 2 Speeton Close, Billingham, Stockton-On-Tees. Change of use from residential dwelling (C3) to a children’s care home (C2)

The application site was a detached four-bedroom two storey dwellinghouse within the defined settlement limits and was approximately 1.3 miles north east of Billingham Town Centre.

The application was seeking planning permission for the change of use of 2 Speeton Close, Billingham from a four-bedroom dwellinghouse(Use Class C3) to a children’s home (Use Class C2). The site benefitted from off street parking, detached garage and a rear private amenity space.

The proposed children’s home would provide accommodation for a maximum of three children between the ages of 7 and 17 years with 24-hour adult support, provided on a shift basis. Three members of staff would be present at the premises one being an Ofsted registered manager Monday- Friday between 9am- 5pm. 2 staff members would be present overnight.

As part of the change of use the existing rear ground floor study window would be replaced with a door.

Following the consultation process there had been 95 letters of objection received and 2 letters of support. The majority of objections related to highway issues including increase in the volume of traffic and off-street parking, noise, privacy, anti-social behaviour/crime, impact on character and appearance of the street scene and the community.

The consultees that had been notified and the comments that had been received were detailed within the main report.

Neighbours were notified and the comments received were detailed within the main report.

The planning policies and material planning considerations that were relevant to the consideration of the application were contained within the main report.

The Planning Officers report concluded that for the reasons outlined within the main report, it was recommended that the application be approved with conditions.

Members were presented with an update report which since the original report detailed further comments which had been received from Councillor Clare Gamble, Councillor Marc Besford, and 3 local residents.

In summary the comments raised concerns regarding the location of the use, anti-social behaviour, ability to control residents, security recommendations from Cleveland Police and inadequate parking facilities at the property which would lead to highway safety concerns which had been set out in the original report. Whilst it was noted the comments raised concerns regarding obstructions for emergency services and dangerous on street car parking with a need for these to be conditioned, unfortunately on street car parking was not within the gift for the Local Planning Authority to control outside of the considerations of the proposed planning application.

In respect of ensuring adequate incurtilage car parking would remain at the property, this could be secured by a condition as follows:

Incurtilage Carparking

The development hereby approved shall retain a minimum of 5 incurtilage car parking spaces via the existing driveway in accordance with SPD3: Parking Provision for Developments 2011. The parking provision shall be retained thereafter for the lifetime of the development.

A Member of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 30