Agenda item

To consider a report by the Head of Planning.

The Committee considered application 3/19/0862/FUL for a change of and an added of use of a family centre (D1) into a residential care facility and office space (mixed C3/D1) at Hayeswood County First School, Colehill to provide permanent care for looked after children. The application was being considered by the Committee as it was a Dorset Council application, being obliged to do so rather than it being determined under delegated authority.

With the aid of a visual presentation, officers provided context of what the main proposals, principles and planning issues of the development were; how

these were to be progressed; how the proposal would meet the need of providing such a facility for the accommodation of children in residential care; and what this entailed.

Plans and photographs provided an illustration of the location and appearance of the development – with its external appearance would be remaining the same – but with interior modification to meet the needs of that facility; access, parking and highway considerations; its relationship with local amenity and neighbouring residencies and its setting within Colehill and the wider landscape. The arrangements for the habitation of the facility and how the office area would be managed was described.

In summary, officers planning assessment adjudged that the merits of the application were that it was an acceptable use within an urban area; would not harm the amenity of occupants of adjacent dwellings or school nor have an adverse impact on road safety; access and on-site parking provision was acceptable and there were no other material considerations which would warrant refusal of this application and this formed the basis of the officer’s recommendation in seeking approval of the application.

Formal consultation had seen Colehill Parish Council support the application and no objections had been received to it.  

The opportunity was given for members to ask questions of the presentation

and what they had heard, in seeking clarification of aspects so as to have a

better understanding in coming to a decision. Officers addressed what questions were raised, providing what they considered to be satisfactory answers.

The Committee wholly endorsed the principle of the proposal and what it was designed to achieve - in providing a much needed facility and accommodation for those children who were in need of that service.  

Having had the opportunity to discuss the merits of the application, having

understood what was being proposed and the reasoning for this; having taken

into account the officer’s report and presentation, what they had heard at the meeting, and having received satisfactory answers to questions raised, the Committee were satisfied in their understanding of what the proposal entailed and the reasoning for this and, on that basis - in being proposed by Councillor Robin Cook and seconded by Councillor David Tooke - on being put to the vote, the Committee agreed unanimously that the application should be approved, subject to the conditions set out in the paragraph of the report relating to this.

Resolved

That planning permission for application 3/19/0862/FUL be granted, subject to the conditions set out in the paragraph of the officer’s report relating to this.

Reasons for Decision

·       The principle of this use is acceptable within an urban area.

·       The proposal is not considered to harm the amenity of occupants of adjacent dwellings or school.

·       The proposal would not have an adverse impact on road safety

·       Access and on-site parking provision was acceptable

·       There were no other material considerations which would warrant refusal of this application.