Conversion of former residential care home to provide 25 no. self contained supported housing apartments (1B1P) and associated staff offices and training room

In accordance with his declaration at Minute 51, Councillor Vince Hunt withdrew from the Chair and the meeting room, taking no part in the discussion or vote on this application.

Councillor Ted Clarke chaired the meeting for consideration of this application.

The Senior Planning Officer introduced the application for the conversion of former residential care home to provide 25 no. self-contained supported housing apartments (1B1P) and associated staff offices and training room and confirmed that the Committee had undertaken a site visit that morning to assess the impact of the proposed development on neighbouring properties and the surrounding area. Members’ attention was drawn to the information contained within the Schedule of Additional letters. The Senior Planning Officer recommended that the condition 6 be amended to require that prior to the first occupation, a detailed management plan be submitted. 

Mr Terry Jones on behalf of Project Overview and Response to Coton House Proposal (P.O.R.CH) spoke against the proposal in accordance with Shropshire Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees.

In accordance with the Local Protocol for Councillors and Officers dealing with Regulatory Matters (Part 5, Paragraph 15.1) Councillor Nat Green, as local ward councillor, made a statement and then left the room, took no part in the debate and did not vote on this item.

Mr Kevin Davis, Agent on behalf of the applicant spoke in support of the proposal in accordance with Shropshire Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees.

In response to a question relating to the difference between approving the change of use and approving the management plan which would detail how the accommodation was run, the Solicitor explained that although Members were being asked to approve the change of use of the building, for the use to be acceptable it would need to be managed appropriately, which is why it was considered necessary to have a management plan in place.  This approach was not unusual and some planning applications did have management plans attached to them, controlling different aspects of development to be required by way of condition. 

During the ensuing debate, the option to defer determination of the application was considered.  In response, the Senior Planning Officer advised that she did not consider it necessary to delay determination of the application and the concerns expressed could be addressed through the change to condition 6, that was being recommended. The majority of Members agreed that the submission and approval of a detailed management plan controlling the use, occupation, operation and management of the accommodation, prior to the first occupation, would be acceptable.  

Having considered the submitted plans and listened to the comments made by all of the speakers, the majority of Members expressed their support for the proposals subject to the requirement to submit a detailed management plan as recommended by the Senior Planning Officer.

RESOLVED:

That authority be delegated to the Planning and Development Services Manager to grant permission subject to;

·         The conditions as set out in Appendix 1 of the Planning Officer’s report;

·         An amendment to condition 6 to require the submission and approval of a detailed management plan, prior to the first occupation; and

·         Any amendments to the conditions that are considered necessary.