Agenda item

Change of use of ground floor to residential dwelling. Replace existing single storey lean-to extension and internal alterations ensuring all heritage features are preserved.

With the aid of a visual presentation including plans and aerial photographs, the Planning Officer identified the site and explained the proposal and relevant planning policies to members. Photographs of the street scenes and existing and proposed ground floor plans were shown. The presentation identified that the proposal was within the designated town centre of Wareham and within the settlement boundary and Wareham Conservation Area. If approved, the proposal would not change the frontage of the property, therefore there would be no impact on the existing street scene and the contribution made to the Conservation Area. Objections had been received from Wareham Town Council who sought to retain retail use in line with the Wareham Neighbourhood Plan. However, it had been identified that the building had not been in commercial use for some time and the internal arrangements limited opportunities for viable use of the space as a shop or for alternative Class E uses. Officers were satisfied that if approved, the loss of the retail use in this location at the northern extent of the town centre would not cause harm to the viability of the town centre. No other harm had been identified; therefore, the officer recommendation was to grant subject to conditions set out in the report.

Public Participation

The applicant explained her strong desire to live and bring up her son in Wareham. She was previously advised that it would have been unlikely that she’d receive issues with the submitted application as neighbouring properties had finished identical works and was therefore surprised that objection had been received from the town council. Ms Frost discussed the history of the site and explained that she was the third owner who hadn’t wished to use the proposal for retail use. The applicant expressed her desire to maintain the historic building and preserve the historic essence. If the proposal was to turn back to its original form, it would have harmed the viability of building. Ms Frost hoped the committee would support the officer recommendation.

The Local Ward member spoke in support of the proposal and noted that the other Local Ward member was also in favour. He felt that the proposal should be supported as set out in the officer report. He highlighted that the area was a mix of residential and commercial uses and therefore residential use was not unique and would be in keeping with the town. Cllr Holloway felt that the proposal was a good way of reusing and redeveloping the existing space which had been empty for some time. As a ward member who had considered the proposal carefully, he offered his support.

Members questions and comments

• Noted that the demand for small retail units had dropped off.
• Members felt that the proposal was interesting and understood why the site was not viable for business use.

Having had the opportunity to discuss the merits of the application and an understanding of all this entailed; having considered the officer’s report and presentation; the written representatives; and what they had heard at the meeting, a motion to APPROVE the officer’s recommendation to GRANT planning permission as recommended, was proposed by Cllr Alex Brenton, and seconded by Cllr Toni Coombs.

Decision: To grant planning permission for the reasons set out in the officer’s report.