19 affordable homes at Whitbourne House Residential Care Home, Park North, Swindon

What was proposed

The application proposed demolishing the vacant care home and building 19 affordable homes, comprising eight flats and 11 houses, with landscaping.

“Proposal: Demolition of Whitbourne House Care Homes and construct 19 new Affordable Housing dwellings consisting of 8 flats and 11 houses, with associated landscaping.”

“The Proposal 3.1 The application seeks full planning permission for the demolition of Whitbourne House Care Home and the construction 19 dwellings consisting of 8 flats and 11 houses, all of which will be affordable, plus associated landscaping.”

Officer report

The site

The site is in Park South, beside Colston Close, and the former 41-bed care home is vacant.

“The Site and Surroundings 4.1 The application site is located in Park South, south of Whitbourne Avenue and to the east of Colston Close. Whitbourne House was formerly a 41-bed care home run by Swindon Borough Council. The building complex is now vacant.”

Officer report

Earlier permission

Permission for prior approval to demolish the care home was given in June 2022.

“Relevant Site History 6.1 Relevant planning history includes an application for prior approval notification (S/DEM/22/0600) for the demolition of the care home, this was given in June 2022.”

Officer report

Design and living conditions

Officers considered the design suitable for its surroundings and found acceptable living conditions for existing and future residents.

“Design, Layout and Landscape 9.10 Policy DE1 of the Local Plan requires a high standard of design and includes a number of design principles that the development should meet. Policy SD1 of the Local Plan also requires high quality design for all development. The proposal will be assessed in terms of the site’s context and character, the layout, function and amenity.”

“Summary 9.23 The proposed development is considered to be compatible with the existing and proposed surrounding land uses in that it would not be unacceptable in terms of amenity levels of the existing residents and is capable of achieving suitable amenity levels for future occupants. The proposed development is therefore considered to comply with the requirements of Policies DE1 of the Local Plan.”

Officer report

Public views

One representation suggested two parking spaces per property, another objected to car headlights, and one neither supported nor opposed the scheme.

“Representations 5.1 As part of the public consultation process, neighbouring properties were notified directly and site notices were erected and an advertisement published in the local paper. As a result three representations were received from the public, one neither objecting nor supporting suggesting two parking spaces per property, one objection regarding impact from car headlights. A summary of other consultee response is as follows:”

Officer report

Who spoke

Councillor Emma Bushell, representing a neighbouring ward, made comments supporting the application.

Members’ discussion

Members discussed the proposed swift-brick requirement, and officers confirmed it could be added as a condition.

“The responses provided by officers to questions raised as part of the Members only discussion can be broadly summarised as follows: • The question raised by a conservation group regarding Swift bricks, the requirement for which did not appear to be mentioned in the conditions. It was confirmed that this could be added to the conditions.”

Minutes

The vote

Councillor Neil Hopkins proposed approval, Councillor Gary Sumner seconded it, and all councillors supported the proposal.

“Councillor Neil Hopkins proposed that planning permission be granted, subject to the addition of a condition relating to the installation of Swift bricks. Councillor Gary Sumner seconded the proposal. All Councillors were in favour of the proposal, and none were opposed.”

Minutes

The decision

Planning permission was granted subject to the report’s conditions, an additional swift-brick condition and delegated authority for reasonable non-material changes.

“Resolved – That planning permission be granted, subject to the conditions set out in the Case Officer’s report and with the addition of a condition relating to the installation of Swift bricks, with delegated authority to make reasonable non-material amendments, additions or omissions to those conditions before issuing formal consent as may be necessary.”

Minutes