Agenda item

Change of Use from Residential (Class C3) to Children's Care Home (Class C2).

This application was brought before members for determination at the request of Councillor Henderson.

A site visit was conducted to enable members to understand the site context beyond the plans submitted and site photographs taken by the case officer.

Simon Wright, the applicant, spoke in favour of the application. The applicant addressed concerns raised by objectors as set out at 7.1, 9.12, 9.13 and 9.14 of the committee report, and particularly addressed the concerns of juvenile offenders being housed.

Members were happy at the change of use of the building, expressing that it was an ideal space for children; they expressed concerns for the young members of Wyre and stated that they needed more support. Members asked questions about additional security and management meetings.

Following discussion, it was proposed by Councillor Le Marinel and seconded by the Vice-Chairman that the application be approved, as per officer recommendations, under the provisions of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. Subject to the following conditions:

1.    The development must be begun before the expiration of three years beginning with the date of this permission.

Reason: This condition is required to be imposed pursuant to Section 91 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 as amended by Section 51 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.

2.    The development shall be carried out, except where modified by the conditions to this permission, in accordance with the Planning Application received by the Local Planning Authority on 31.08.2021 including the following plans/documents:

· Site location and site plan drawing 21.032.PL01 received on 31.08.21

The development shall be retained hereafter in accordance with this detail. Reason: For the avoidance of doubt and so that the Local Planning Authority shall be satisfied as to the details.

3.    The premises shall be used for a children's residential home (C2 use) only and for no other purpose (including any other purpose in Class C2 of the Schedule to the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987, (or in any provision equivalent to that Class in any statutory instrument revoking and re-enacting that Order with or without modification)

Reason: The use of the premises for any other purpose would require further consideration by the Local Planning Authority in accordance with Policy CDMP3 of the Wyre Local Plan (2011-31).

4.    The number of children to be cared for at the premises shall be limited to 4 at any one time.

Reason: To enable the Local Planning Authority to retain a measure of control over the development thereby safeguarding the amenities of the area including neighbouring properties in accordance with Policy CDMP3 of the adopted Wyre Local Plan 2011-31.

5.    An electric vehicle recharging (EVCP) scheme shall be submitted unless it is demonstrated that such provision of EVCP is not practical in communal parking areas or due to other identified site constraints. The approved electric vehicle recharging point shall be provided prior to the first use of the development hereby permitted, and shall be maintained and retained for that purpose thereafter.

Reason: To ensure the provision of appropriate on-site mitigation to compensate for the impact on air quality caused by the development in the surrounding area in accordance with Policy CDMP6 of the Wyre Local Plan (2011-31).

6.    The development hereby approved shall not be first occupied or brought into use until the parking / turning area shown on the approved plan (Proposed Site Plan Drawing Number 21.032.PL01) has been laid out, surfaced and drained. The parking / turning area shall not thereafter be used for any purpose other than for the parking and manoeuvring of vehicles.

Reason: To ensure that adequate off road parking is provided to serve the development in the interests of highway safety and in accordance with the provisions of Policy CDMP6 of the Wyre Local Plan (2011-31).