Issue - meetings

To consider the change of use from dwellinghouse (Use Class C3) to residential institution for the care of up to 4 children (Use Class C2).

It was RESOLVED that planning permission be granted subject to the conditions as per the recommendations set out in the report.

The Committee considered an application for the change of use from dwellinghouse (Use Class C3) to residential institution for the care of up to 4 children (Use Class C2).

The application was before the Committee for determination as it had been called in by local ward Councillor Phil Bibby on the grounds of impact on neighbouring properties and impact on residential amenities.

The Senior Planning Officer gave an introduction to the Committee.  She advised that the main issues for consideration in the assessment of the application were the acceptability in land use policy terms, impact on the character and the appearance of the St Nicholas/Rectory Lane Conservation Area, impact on residential amenity and car parking provision.

The Chair then invited Mr Singh, the applicant to address the Committee.  The Committee was informed by Mr Singh that there was a huge shortage of childrens homes for those children not in the foster care system.  Mr Singh outlined the regulation and management process of the proposed care home and advised that the proposed care home would be fully regulated by OFSTED and would be subject to both planned and unannounced inspections. Mr Singh advised that following a meeting held with the Police, additional measures including the office being alarmed and a new security gate would be installed as well as all fire regulations being complied with.

The Chair then invited Councillor Phil Bibby to address the meeting.

Councillor Bibby advised that although he was aware of the need for such care homes, his concerns related to:

·         a previous care home in Rectory Lane that had caused significant issues before it was shut down;

·         the loss of a large, aspirational, family home;

·         the need to keep Rectory Lane as a leafy, aspirational road in the Town;

·         the safety and security of local residents as a result of the change of use.

The Chair thanked Mr Singh and Councillor Bibby for their contributions to the meeting.

The Senior Planning Officer informed the committee that there would be no external alterations to the building and that therefore the proposed development would not impact on the level of privacy and outlook currently enjoyed by neighbouring properties.

In terms of noise and disturbance, the Council’s Environmental Health Officer had raised no concerns in this regard.  Further, 4 children under the age of 18 living in the property would be in line with that expected of a 4 bedroom family dwelling.  The previous care home referred to had not been registered with OFSTED and there were no mechanisms in place to provide enforcement to regulate or manage this previous facility.

The Committee noted that the applicant would work with Herts police to ensure the property was satisfactorily designed and secured to Police standards.

Members agreed that there was a need for care homes such as this.  In response to a question the applicant confirmed that the age range of the children was between 8 and 18.  It was not guaranteed that the children would be from Stevenage but  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5