Issue - meetings

RESOLVED that planning permission be GRANTED forthe change of use of 144 Hither Green Lane SE13 from C3 (dwellinghouse) to C2 (residential institutions), comprising supported living care rooms for 8 individuals subject to conditions and informatives in the report.

5.1      The Planning Officer, gave an illustrative presentation recommending the grant planning permission for the change of use of 144 Hither Green Lane SE13 from C3 (dwelling house) to C2 (residential institutions), comprising supported living care rooms for 8 individuals., subject to conditions and informatives in the report.

5.2      The Committee noted the report and that the main issues were:

· Principle of Development

· Residential Quality

· Specialist residential uses

· Urban Design

· Impact on Adjoining Properties

· Transport

5.3       The property included the provision of 12 bicycle spaces and storage space acceptable for the number of residents. The change of use to a community service meant that it would meet an identified local need. There were no proposed external changes to the building and officers were satisfied and raised no objections to the appearance of the proposed bicycle and refuse store. Officers were also satisfied there would be no impact on privacy for neighbours. Officers recommended a condition which restricted the use of the outbuilding to just 4 people at a time and also restricting the hours of use between 8am and 10pm.

5.4       Members asked about the number of care staff that would be on site, but the Planning officer confirmed that this would be up to the operator and that it was not a material consideration.

5.5       The Chair asked about the size of the communal/living area, being the size of and smaller than some of the bedrooms. The officer responded that there was no policy to determine how much communal space was to be provided for the c2 dwellings, however, the size is around 19m and for Lewisham’s licensable standard (for HMOs but used as a benchmark example) which is 11m for up to 10 people, which greatly exceeds the standard. There is also cooking space in their individual rooms.

5.6       The applicant gave his presentation. In addition to the officer’s points, he added that the proposal was for Excelcare to lease the facility to limited company, Dinardo, who will provide the day-to-day running of the facility. The management plan, submitted with the application, set out how the property will be managed. The supported housing pathways manager had written a letter of support to the proposal. In response to the previously refused application, the communal area had been proposed to be moved to the ground floor of the main building.

            There was no objector for this item.

5.7       The Committee considered the submissions made at the meeting and

RESOLVED that planning permission be GRANTED for the change of use of 144 Hither Green Lane SE13 from C3 (dwellinghouse) to C2 (residential institutions), comprising supported living care rooms for 8 individuals subject to conditions and informatives in the report., subject to conditions and informatives in the report.