Local democracy

Agenda item

GEORGE AND DRAGON 734 GREAT HORTON ROAD BRADFORD WEST YORKSHIRE - 20/02440/FUL

The Assistant Director Transportation, Design and Planning will submit a report (Document “AG”) which sets out a full application seeking planning permission for a change of use from Public House (A4) to House of Multiple Occupancy of more than 6no persons (Sui Generis). The submitted plans indicate the HMO will provide accommodation for 10 people.

 

Recommended –

 

That the application be approved, subject to the conditions set out in Appendix 1 to Document “AG”.

(Mohammed Yousuf - 01274 434605)

 

Minutes:

The Assistant Director Transportation, Design and Planning submitted a report (Document “AG”) which set out a full application seeking planning permission for a change of use from Public House (A4) to House of Multiple Occupancy of more than 6no persons (Sui Generis). The submitted plans indicated that the HMO would provide accommodation for 10 people.

 

The Assistant Director presented plans and photographs of the location, showing the mix of commercial and residential properties in the area as well as plans and elevation drawings of the proposal which showed that alterations to the exterior would be minimal and that all the units within the House of Multiple Occupancy would be over the minimum size recommended for single occupancy. He noted  that the public house had been closed for some time.

 

A number of representations had been received in respect of the proposed use of the building as well as highways concerns. In terms of impact on traffic, the proposed use would be of a lower impact that if it were to re-open as a public house and it must be noted that premises were situated in a sustainable location, with good public transport links. In terms of the proposed use of the building it would be difficult to comment on future tenant behaviour but again, residential use would likely be of a lower impact that that of a public house.

 

The Chair queried the impact of the changes to the premises as it was grade two listed and in a conservation area and was informed that the conservation officer was satisfied and the works had been approved. The proposed alterations were minimal and original features would be retained.

 

A member queried whether it would be possible to insist that the garden area shown on the plans was properly landscaped to give the residents some useable outdoor space, providing them with much needed health benefits, especially in the current health emergency.

 

After some discussion on the matter and advice from the Assistant Director and the Committee’s legal advisor, it was established that such a condition could be imposed and that it would be appropriate to seek the applicant’s views on that at this meeting.

 

The applicant had joined the meeting and confirmed that the Committee’s desire for a communal garden space chimed with his own views on how that space should be utilised.

 

He went on to speak in support of his proposal, stressing his desire to keep the building as original as possible but also to find it a suitable use. He considered converting it into a home would keep it vital and useful.

 

A member queried whether its new use would require an element of registration and was advised that it would do so.

 

The Chair commented that this seemed to be a well thought through scheme which would render the building useful once more. He considered that, with the addition of a condition in resect of the garden space, it could be approved.

 

Resolved –

 

That the application be approved, subject to the conditions set out in Appendix 1 to Document “AG” and also subject to the following additional condition:

 

Notwithstanding the details shown on the approved plans, before the first occupation of the development hereby permitted a scheme for the hard and soft landscaping of the garden area shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The landscaping shall then be carried out in full before the first occupation of the development hereby permitted.

 

Reason: In the interests of the amenity of prospective occupants and to comply with Policy DS5 of the Core Strategy Development Plan Document.

 

ACTION: Assistant Transportation, Design and Planning

 

 

Supporting documents: