Agenda item

Construction of a new 2 and 3 Storey Extra Care building (falling within Class C2) providing 71 no. Apartments, associated access and hard and soft landscaping (amended description).

The Senior Planning Officer, Paul Hopper, 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.  The Senior Planning Officer advised that Members of the Committee had visited the site and were familiar with the location and setting. 

The application was for construction of a new 2 and 3 storey Extra Care building (falling with Class C2) providing 71 no. Apartments, associated access and hard and soft landscaping (amended description) and was recommended for approval.

The Senior Planning Officer referred Members to aerial and site photos, and asked Members to note plans and elevations and noted the application was at Committee as it was a major development.  He noted the development site was a former school site, and that development was already taking place on the opposite side of the Robson Avenue, that being for residential properties, already having planning permission granted earlier in 2019. 

The Senior Planning Officer noted that there was a former community centre to the north of the site which had been granted permission for use as a hotel and that the application site itself had been vacant for a long while, as Members on the site visit had noted.  He added there were a number of TPOs within the site and access was proposed to be taken from Robson Avenue, utilising the existing access with some associated improvement works.

The Senior Planning Officer noted that the care offered within the 71 units would be tailored to each tenant, with Durham County Care Academy having nomination rights, and the operator, Housing 21, to fill any vacancies after that.  He referred Members to the proposed layout plans, highlighting accommodation, communal areas including facilities such as a hairdresser, mobility scooter store and offices.  He noted the soft landscaping within the site and along the periphery of the site, and the car parking spaces for 36 vehicles.

The Senior Planning Officer asked the Committee to note proposed elevations, with the majority of the building being three-storey, with a two-storey element to one elevation.  Members noted materials included brick, wooden cladding and tile roof, and minimum separation distances were achieved, with additional features such as Juliet balconies having been negotiated.

The Senior Planning Officer noted no objections from statutory consultees subject to conditions and informatives.  He added that internal consultees had raised no objections subject to conditions and Section 106 Legal Agreements in relation to: coastal management works; allotment facilities; biodiversity enhancements; and improving healthcare access.  Members noted no objections had been received from third parties or residents.

The Committee were informed that the site was in a sustainable location, the design met separation distances and the proposals were acceptable in principle. 

The Senior Planning Officer explained that the was a number of trees remaining on the site, key specimens to be retained, and a slight amendment to Condition Ten was proposed, in terms of appropriate protection.  He concluded by noting that in terms of the NPPF Paragraph 11 balance test, the benefits of the proposals as set out were felt to demonstrably outweigh the adverse impacts and therefore the recommendation was for approval.

The Chair thanked the Senior Planning Officer and asked Mr Alistair Mitchell, SP&A Architects, to speak on behalf of the applicant in support of the application.

Mr A Mitchell thanked the Committee and noted that the Housing 21 was one of the UKs leading not-for-profit provider of retirement housing and extra care, with around 140 similar schemes working with over 150 Councils.  He added that the proposal in front of Members was for 100 percent affordable rent and Durham County Council would have 100 percent nomination rights.  He explained that extra care allowed people to live in their own home, with a tailored care package for each individual, a 21^st Century alternative to residential care.  Mr A Mitchell added that Housing 21 had an excellent reputation, with a 100 percent “good” rating from the Care Quality Commission in the North of England.  He added that in addition to the benefits of the 71 apartments themselves, there would be approximately 24 full-time equivalent jobs created and two apprenticeships for young people.  Mr A Mitchell reiterated the benefits of the scheme and urged that the Committee approved the application.

The Chair thanked Mr A Mitchell and asked the Committee for their comments and questions.

Councillor A Laing noted she was a Local Member for the area and confirmed the land had been derelict for approximately 11 years, with some anti-social behaviour issues associated with the empty site.  She explained she was delighted to move the recommendation for approval.  Councillor A Bell noted that hearing from the Local Member was always important and that he would second the proposal for approval.

RESOLVED

That the application be APPROVED subject to the conditions and Section 106 Legal Agreements as set out within the report, with the amendment to Condition 10 as reported by the Senior Planning Officer.