Temporary homeless accommodation at Barrington House, Worcester

The site and surroundings

Barrington House is a locally listed period townhouse in the Riverside Conservation Area, in a mainly residential part of Henwick Road.

“The site and surrounding area 2.1 Barrington House is a Locally Listed Building, situated on the north- eastern side of Henwick Road and within the Riverside Conservation Area. It is described as an impressive period townhouse with significant character. It has previously been used as a private residence, converted into multiple flats and until December 2014 it was used as a bed and breakfast Guest House.”

“Barrington House currently provides 9 units of accommodation in the form of 6 x self- contained units and 3 x en-suite rooms with a shared kitchen, plus communal lounge. The proposal seeks to add an additional self-contained unit by reconfiguring existing rooms within the property, bringing the total number of units available to 10. It also seeks to use the existing communal lounge area as a staff office.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because the proposal would provide significant social benefits, use an existing sustainable site and cause no significant planning harm subject to conditions.

“Concerns regarding the safety of nearby uses, the operation of the accommodation, anti-social behaviour, parking, refuse, the smoking shelter and security have been considered in the relevant sections of this report. Where appropriate, conditions are recommended to secure management, security, refuse, cycle parking and detailed design measures. Subject to those conditions, Officers do not consider that the matters raised would result in unacceptable planning harm. 8.”

“It is therefore recommended that planning permission is granted, subject to the conditions set out in Section 9 of this report. Recommended conditions It is recommended that planning permission is granted, subject to the following conditions: The development hereby permitted shall be begun before the expiration of three years from the date of this permission.”

Officer report

What people said

Objections included concerns about antisocial behaviour, property security, parking, the smoking shelter, nearby services and the effect on residents’ safety and wellbeing.

“The following comments from statutory and non-statutory consultees and interested third parties have been received in relation to the original and amended proposals and are summarised as follows: Neighbours and other third party comments: 51 objection comments, 4 support comments and 3 general comments were received in relation to the application, summarised as follows: Objection - Concerns about impact on local community - Concerns about increase in HMO accommodation in an…”

“- Concerned about proposed smoking shelter - Concerned that there is a Women’s refuge very local to the site and worried that the safety of women at that site would be compromised by the type of people likely to be housed at this address - Veterinary Surgery opposite concerned about parking arrangements and site security – safety of clinical waste collection personnel and out of hours delivery staff would be put at risk. Concerned about security of on-site medicines.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The Housing and Homelessness Service Manager and the Head of Property and Asset Management spoke for the council as applicant.

The committee’s discussion

Members discussed management, eligibility, parking, security, lighting, cycle storage, the difference from an HMO and the importance of housing vulnerable people.

“Both applicants responded to questions and comments from Committee Members in particular relating to: parking provision; monitoring of side gate, staff numbers and parking arrangements; length of stay in accommodation; details of management plan; difference between temporary accommodation and HMOs; request for lighting plan as referred to by the West Mercia Police, consideration of ex-forces personnel; cycle storage cover and sprinkler system.”

“It was asked if Members would consider amending the lighting condition to consider the guidance from the lighting professionals, in particular guidance number 8 which takes into account ecology and receptors. Also, that the cycle parking is covered. The Service Manager – Development Management referred to conditions 6 and 9 which could be amended accordingly if that was Members wish.”

Minutes

The vote

The committee agreed the proposal with nine votes for, one against and one abstention.

“A proposal to approve the application had been made and this was seconded. There being no further points made the Chair requested the voting of each Member of the Committee who were eligible to vote. Following the recording of the votes the proposal was agreed as recommended, subject to the amendment of conditions 6 and 9 as outlined above.”

Minutes

The decision

Planning permission was granted subject to the report’s conditions, with added requirements for ecologically sensitive lighting and covered cycle parking.

“RESOLVED: That the Committee grant planning permission, subject to the conditions set out in section 9 of the report and to the amendment of condition 6 to include ‘ecologically sensitive lighting’ (taking account of the Institute of Lighting Professionals guidance note GN08/23), and amendment to condition 9 to include ‘covered cycle parking’.”

Minutes