Agenda item

Change of use C4 student HMO to 7 bed sui generis student HMO, demolition of rear extension and erection of rear extension.

The Committee considered a report of the Planning Officer regarding a change of use C4 student HMO to 7 bed sui generis student HMO, demolition of rear extension and erection of rear extension at no’s 4 and 16 Wynyard Grove, Gilesgate, Durham, DH1 2QJ (for copy see file of Minutes).

The Principal Planning Officer provided the Committee with a detailed presentation which included photographs of the site and a plan of the proposed layout.

Councillor B Moir advised that during the 1940’s and 50’s, Wynyard Grove had been a pleasant residential street, inhabited by many local people. However, today there was only 1 local resident living in the street, as Wynyard Grove had now become a student enclave. He remembered the way that Wynyard Grove and many streets like it, had once used to be before being overrun with students and he feared that the damage had already been done and that residential streets would never recover.

Councillor Freeman commented that there could be an argument to refuse the application based on the provisions of saved local plan Policy H9.

Councillor Conway advised that the reason he had requested that the application be brought before the Committee was to make a point that Wynyard Grove had now become a forgotten area which had lost a lot of family housing and the sense of community which was common in longstanding family residential areas. The number of cars parked in the vicinity also had an impact on the surrounding area, however taking all into consideration, Councillor Conway did not feel there were sufficient grounds to object to the application.

The Principal Planning Officer highlighted that contrary to the report, the City of Durham Trust had submitted an objection to the application.

In relation to application DM/15/00187/FPA, Councillor Lethbridge moved that the application be approved, seconded by Councillor Iveson and upon a vote being taken it was:-

RESOLVED:- “That the application be approved subject to the conditions detailed within the report”.

In relation to application DM/15/00188/FPA, Councillor Maitland moved that the application be approved, seconded by Councillor Lethbridge and upon a vote being taken it was:-

RESOLVED:- “That the application be approved subject to the conditions detailed within the report”.