Part demolition and conversion, extension and alteration of existing hotel to form 17 No. dwellings; erection of 4 No. homes, erection of café facilities and associated works, landscaping, drainage and highway works (amended/further plans/documents). Report by the Service Manager (Development Management) (attached).

The Committee considered a report by the Lead Planning Officer (North) (circulated previously).

The Lead Planning Officer (North) outlined the report.

The Lead Planning Officer (North) reported the receipt of a late letter of representation received on 10 May 2022 from Malcolm Haines, owner of Chapel Cottage which had been circulated via email to Members of the Committee the same day.  The matters raised within the letter had been addressed within the report and as part of his presentation on the outcome of the site inspection held on 25 April 2022.

Alan Bannister (objector), David Biggerstaff (objector) and Duncan Powe (applicant) addressed the Committee.

Councillor Pearson addressed the Committee as Ward Member.

In response to comments raised, the Lead Planning Officer (North) advised the following:

·       It was recommended that a condition be imposed to remove permitted development rights.

·       The Committee was not able to legally include a condition regarding the occupancy of properties being primary residency in accordance with planning policy.

·       As vacant building credit would apply in this instance, officers were not in a position to secure affordable housing.

In response to questions from the Committee, the Lead Planning Officer (North) advised the following:

·       Further conditions outlined on page 68 included the securing of a Construction Environmental Management Plan.

·       The Parish Council would receive a financial contribution for the maintenance of the public conveniences.

·       The Landscape Environmental Management Plan would include landscaping conditions recommended by the Sustainability Officer to ensure net gain. If any changes were required to this Plan the applicant would need to seek approval from the Local Planning Authority.

·       Further to a question regarding lighting and dark skies, the Committee were advised that conditions imposed upon a planning application went with the land.  Therefore, these conditions would be enforceable if there was non-compliance by the occupants.  These conditions would be controlled and enforced by the Local Planning Authority.

·       The red lines on the plan denoted the existing structures that were on the site and the dark lines denoted the proposed structures. There were elements of the structures that would be retained and the rear wall of the former hotel structure would be brought forward on the site to ensure the stability of the road.

·       The developer had not provided timescales for the construction works to take place and suggested that the Committee may wish to ask the applicant this question. However, the Construction Environmental Management Plan would put safeguards in place during the construction.

·       Vacant building credit applied in this instance and therefore officers were not in a position to secure affordable housing.

·       The developer would be requested to provide contact details for the site manager. The Committee could also request that the developer keeps the community and Residents Association updated on construction works.

Councillor Fowler (in his capacity as Ward Member) addressed the Committee.

RESOLVED (unanimous) that the application be APPROVED subject to the finalisation of planning conditions and the securing of a Legal Agreement being delegated to the Head of Planning, Housing and Health as recommended by the Lead Planning Officer (North).