Agenda item

Change of use of upper floors to a 5 bed HMO (use class C4), retail to remain at ground floor and installation of new access door in existing shop front.

The Planning Officer, Lisa Morina, 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 application was change of use of upper floors to a 5 bed HMO (use class C4), retail to remain at ground floor and installation of new access door in existing shop front and was recommended for approval, subject to conditions.  Members were asked to note the property was a Grade II Listed Building, however, the associated Listed Building consent was not being considered at the current time.  Councillors noted the City of Durham Trust had initially objected and subsequently withdrawn their objections, however, they noted a remaining issue in terms of requesting a handrail being installed to the rear access staircase.  The Committee were referred to photographs highlighting improvement works that had begun to the rear staircase.

The Chair thanked the Planning Officer and noted there were no registered speakers and asked Members for their questions and comments.

Councillor J Elmer asked, given that the issues raised related to the rear entry and staircase, whether it would be possible to condition for a handrail to be included, as suggested by the City of Durham Trust.  The Principal Planning Officer noted it was an element that could be included in Condition 5 if Members desired.  Councillor J Elmer noted that, with such an inclusion, he would propose that the application be approved.  Councillor P Jopling seconded the proposal.

Councillor C Kay noted that conditions should only be applied if the application was deemed unacceptable without the inclusion of such a condition and asked how that applied to the current situation. 

The Principal Planning Officer noted that conditions needed to pass a number of tests, however, as there was already a condition which referenced improvement works, the handrail element could be added to that list of improvement works.

Upon a vote being taken it was:

RESOLVED

That the application be APPROVED subject to the conditions as set out within the report, with an addition at Condition 5 relating to the installation of a handrail for the rear access staircase.