Change of use of existing office building into four bedroomed student accommodation including installation of three additional Windows
LOCAL MEMBER: Councillor June E Marshall
Link
to relevant background documents
Minutes:
Change of
use of existing office building into a four bedroom student accommodation
including installation of three additional windows
(a) The
Senior Development Control Officer elaborated on the background of the application,
and noted that this was a full application to change the use of existing vacant
offices to student accommodation. It was noted that the building in question
was a concrete / rendered brick building with concrete sheet roofing and was
located within the curtilage of a significantly sized property which was
already used as student accommodation. It was highlighted that the proposal did
not involve any external alterations to the building apart from installing
three additional windows, one in the front elevation and two in the southern
side elevation. It was noted that the site was located off Holyhead Road in a
mixed-use area of Bangor City which had not been allocated to any specific
purpose in the Unitary Development Plan. It was highlighted that this
application had been submitted to Committee as three of more observations
contrary to the officer's recommendation had been received.
Having considered policies C1, C4 and CH3, it
was noted that the development was in-keeping with the main relevant policies
of the Unitary Development Plan and that this proposal was acceptable in
principle from a planning perspective.
In the context of general and residential
amenities, it was not considered that there would be a likely significant
difference between the amenity impacts of the authorised use as an office and
the proposed use as student accommodation, especially given the presence of
existing student accommodation on the same site. It was highlighted that the
plans included using an existing vehicular access together with allocating four
parking spaces for the development. It was noted that the Transportation Unit
had confirmed that this arrangement was acceptable.
It was highlighted that the objections to the
application received were on the grounds of the existing building's suitability
to be used as a dwelling, but in terms of planning considerations it was
expressed that the building's size, site arrangement and location was suitable
and there would be no significant change in the appearance or use of the site.
It was a matter for the applicant to assess the structural suitability of the
building for the proposed use in terms of proposed changes and the building's
ability to comply with the building control system.
(b) The Local Member (who was a member of
this Planning Committee) noted:
• That
there were concerns regarding the building's suitability - it was very similar
to an industrial building rather than a residential building
• It
was not attractive and was not ideal for people and therefore consultation with
the building control system and Officers from the Multi-occupancy Housing Team
was required
(c) It was proposed and seconded to approve
the application.
(ch) During the
discussion, the following observations were noted:
• That
appropriate landscaping conditions needed to be imposed to seek a residential
appearance together with a suggestion relating to pebble dash
• Had
observations been received from the Fire Service?
• Concern
regarding the number of student developments in Bangor
(d) In
response to the observation, it was noted that it was possible to discuss the building's
appearance with the applicant and that the Fire Service would have an opportunity
to approve the application under relevant building regulations. In response to
an observation regarding the use of the marginal buildings, it was noted that
one was a dentist and the other was used as student accommodation.
RESOLVED to approve the application with the
following conditions:
1.
5 years
2. In accordance with the plans
3. Welsh Water Condition
4. Materials/external
finish
Supporting documents: