Office and seventh bedroom at 67 Sedlescombe Road South, St Leonards-on-Sea

“AGENDA ITEM NO: 4 (c) Report to: PLANNING COMMITTEE Date of Meeting: June 2026 Report from: Planning Services Manager Application address:67 Sedlescombe Road South, St Leonards-on-sea, TN38 0TJ Proposal:Change of use of ground floor storage/reception room (Sui Generis) to an office (Class E(g)(i)), and reception room changed to an additional bedroom within a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) (Sui Generis), increasing number of bedrooms from 6 to 7 (retrospective)…”

“Proposed development This application seeks planning permission for the change of use of the ground floor storage/reception room (Sui Generis) to an office (Use Class E(g)(i)), together with the conversion of the existing reception room into an additional bedroom within a House in Multiple Occupation (Sui Generis), thereby increasing the total number of bedrooms from 6 to 7.”

“Sedlescombe Road South, a substantial detached two-storey building with attic accommodation dating from the late nineteenth to early twentieth century. The property occupies a prominent position on the south-east side of…”

“Sedlescombe Road South, close to the crossroads junction with Gillsmans Hill, Springfield Road and The Green. Although the building is not listed, it lies within the Springfield Road Conservation Area and occupies a triangular-shaped plot situated immediately north of the rear gardens of Nos. 38-44 Springfield Road, east of Nos. 56-64 Sedlescombe Road South, and south of St Matthew's Gardens.”

“Representations In respect of this application site notices and amended plans site notices were displayed to the front of the site along Sedlescombe Road South and another along Springfield Road and an advert placed in the local paper. No responses were received. 5.”

“Louise Brooks, Planning Officer, presented the application for a change of use of a ground floor storage/reception room (Sui Generis) to an office, and a change from a reception room to an additional bedroom within a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) (Sui Generis), which would increase the number of bedrooms from 6 to 7 (retrospective). There had been no updates since the publication of the report.”

“Members queried whether the reduction in communal space might impact on residents’ social interactions. The Planning Officer advised that the kitchen dining room and an enlarged reception room would remain, which was considered acceptable for the number of occupants. Members also sought clarification on the layout and the Planning Officer explained that a former reception room would become the seventh bedroom, with the main reception space then being extended.”

“There being no debate, Councillor Simnett proposed the approval of the application in accordance with the Officer’s recommendation, seconded by Councillor Warne, the Chair called upon the Committee to vote whereupon it was…”

“To Grant Full Planning Permission subject to conditions set out in the Officer’s report.”