Agenda item

Adaptation of existing building to provide 12 individual apartments with 3 dormer windows on the rear and internal and external alterations (Amended Plans).

The Planning Officer, Susan Hyde, gave a detailed presentation on the report relating to the abovementioned planning application, a copy of which had been circulated (for copy see file of minutes).  Members noted that the written report was supplemented by a visual presentation which included photographs of the site. 

There were two applications, a planning application and an associated Listed Building consent application; adaptation of existing building to provide 12 individual apartments with 3 dormer windows on the rear and internal and external alterations (amended plans).  It was noted that the Listed Building application was recommended for approval subject to conditions, and that the planning application was also recommended for approval, subject to the completion of a Section 106 Legal Agreement.

The Planning Officer referred to proposed elevations and noted the site occupied a central location with easy access to the facilities offered by the City Centre to the west.  Members noted from several photographs that many original features of the property would be retained including plaster ceilings and some external features.  It was added that the Listed Building was of character and historic value.

Members noted the proposed rear car park and bin store, alterations to include: rooflights; rear dormer additions; and a rear single storey, former billiards room, to have new glazing.  It was added that there would be no alterations from the Territorial Lane elevation.  The Planning Officer noted that the applicant had worked with the Planning and the Design and Conservation team in ensuring the correct specification, for example heritage rooflights.  Member noted that the internal layout of the building was quite complicated, making best use of the space across many levels. 

The Planning Officer noted no objections from statutory consultees, with Highways having no objections in terms of the amount of parking provision.  It was added that the Environment Agency had noted the application was at the edge of flood defence area and accordingly there had been a change from the original application which had included a basement room, with this now proposed to be only for storage.  Members noted no objections from Design and Conservation, having worked with the applicant in terms of the scheme, and no objections from Environmental Health, noting a condition in respect of noise prevention.  The Planning Officer noted there had been objections from the City of Durham Trust with concerns as regards lack of car parking and cycle storage.

The Planning Officer noted that it was felt that the applications were in line with national and local policies and the impact upon the heritage asset had been weighed up and Officers therefore recommended the applications for approval.  The Planning Officer noted as the application progressed, a number of issues had been resolved, noting Condition 5 of the Listed Building consent was no longer required as Environmental Health and Design and Conservation were satisfied.  It was added that a condition would need to be added in terms of dormers and windows, such that further details would need to be submitted to the Local Authority and approved in writing, in line with the property being a Grade 2 Listed Building, within a Conservation Area and in line with Policies E22 and E23 of the saved City of Durham Local Plan.

The Chairman thanked the Planning Officer and noted there were no registered speakers and asked Members of the Committee for their questions and comments on the application.

Councillor A Laing noted the scheme looked very well and proposed the applications, subject to the slight changes mentioned by the Planning Officer, be approved.

Councillor A Laing moved that the applications be approved; she was seconded by Councillor J Clark.

RESOLVED

(i)        That the Committee APPROVE the planning application, subject to the completion of a Section 106 Legal Agreement and the conditions detailed in the Officer’s report to the Committee, subject to the amendments and additional condition as described by the Planning Officer.

(ii)       That the Listed Building consent application be APPROVED subject to the conditions detailed in the Officer’s report to the Committee and an additional condition as described by the Planning Officer.