Issue - meetings

Change of use of existing building from a night club into 3 retail units together with 8 self-contained flats and installation of new openings (amended application to that approved reference number C18/0116/11/LL).

LOCAL MEMBER:    Councillor Steve Collings

Link to relevant background documents

Change of use of the current building from a nightclub into 3 retail units, along with 8 self-contained flats and installation of new openings (amended application to that approved under ref. C18/0116/11/LL).

(a)     The Senior Development Control Officer elaborated on the background of the application, and noted that this was an application to change the use of the current building from a nightclub to three retail units on the ground floor, along with three self-contained units to the rear, four self-contained units on the first floor and one self-contained unit on the second floor.
The proposal would provide 5 one-bedroom units, as well as 3 two-bedroom units.

         It was noted that the site was within the development boundary of Bangor sub-regional centre. It was explained that Policy TAI 9 in the Local Development Plan permitted the sub-division of existing properties to self-contained flats provided they conformed to the relevant criteria, and it was confirmed that it was in accordance with the criteria. 

         Attention was drawn to Policy PCYFF2 of the Local Development Plan which stated that proposals should be refused if they have a significant detrimental impact on the health, safety or amenities of the occupants of local property, land uses or other property due to an increase in activities, disturbance, noise etc. In relation to noise disturbance, it was considered that a residential and commercial use (shops) would have a lesser impact on the residential and general amenities of nearby residents than the property's legal use as a night club.

         It was noted that Policy TAI15 of the LDP seeks to ensure an appropriate provision of affordable housing in the Plan area and the threshold for affordable housing in Bangor was 20%. It was reported that the Housing Strategic Unit had responded to the additional information received from the applicant in relation to the rental prices and sale prices of the proposed flats, which stated that despite the fact that the rental levels for the flats was slightly higher than the lowest rate, this did not cause concern as the flats would continue to be within the reach of a vast majority of the local population.

         In relation to the sale of the units, and when comparing prices for similar flats in Bangor that had been sold recently, the prices presented by the applicant were much lower and it was assumed that these low prices were likely to reflect the potential size, location, quality and ownership features of the flats themselves. Consequently, it was noted that there was no justification to restrict two of the flats as affordable housing through a 106 agreement or to request a financial contribution as part of this application.

         The development was acceptable in terms of relevant local and national policies for the reasons noted in the report.

(b)     It was proposed and seconded to approve the application.

During the ensuing discussion, the following main observations were noted by members:

·         It appeared that applicants stated that units would be affordable in any case, in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6