Four one-bedroom apartments at Great Alne Social Club, Great Alne, Alcester

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval, finding that the housing, identified local need and reuse benefits outweighed the scheme’s amenity and privacy harms.

“The benefits of the development, relate to the contribution of 4 dwellings (in a sustainable location, as recognised by Policies CS.15 and CS.16 of the Core Strategy), to the currently substandard housing land supply which I afford significant weight in favour of the development. The provision of residential units which meet the housing needs identified by the parish, is afforded moderate positive weight.”

“In this case, when weighing the harms and benefits of the development, I conclude that the harms of the scheme would not significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits, having due regard to the mechanism of paragraph 11(d) and as such the presumption of sustainable development would apply in line with NPPF paragraph 11(d). I can find no material planning considerations to warrant an alternative approach.”

Officer report

Objections and comments

The parish council and objectors raised concerns about community use, the Memorial Hall, parking, noise, privacy, flooding, design and living conditions.

“Proposed change of use could impact on the attractiveness of the Memorial Hall to customers renting and this could reduce revenue for the Memorial Hall • Consideration should be given to the Memorial Hall usage on future residents such as late night events and parties which attract large audiences • Residential uses next door to the Memorial Hall will be more sensitive and could restrict usage of the Memorial Hall • The development would be prominent in the street scene • …”

“The former social club is a valuable community asset that should be retained and brought back into use, it is a community asset that should not be lost • The facility is crucial to the community and development that impacts on community facilities should not be allowed • Proposed residential use out of character for the immediate area • Building more suitable to leisure or residential uses • Single exit door raises fire safety concerns • Poor living accommodation provided…”

Officer report

Who spoke

A speaker read a statement for the parish council, and the Memorial Hall chair also spoke against the application.

The committee vote

A motion to grant was proposed and seconded, then passed by six votes to three.

“Having considered the application and the representations made at the meeting, a Motion of GRANT, in accordance with the recommendation detailed in the report, subject to an additional condition pertaining to submission and approval of a hard and soft landscaping plan as detailed in the Update Sheet, was proposed by Councillor Edden and seconded by Councillor Adam.”

“Thereafter, by 6 votes in favour to 3 votes against, it was…”

Minutes

The decision

The committee granted the application with the eight reported conditions, two reported notes and an additional landscaping condition.

“That Planning Application 26/00524/FUL be GRANTED subject to the following (the detailed wording of which be delegated to Officers):”

“8 conditions contained in the report; • 1 additional condition pertaining to submission and approval of a hard and soft landscaping plan as detailed in the Update Sheet; and • 2 notes contained in the report.”

Minutes