Transitional care home at 7 Cotswold Road, Westcliff-on-Sea

“Specifically, the proposal will provide transitional care and support for up to four (4) young adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), learning disabilities, and associated support needs.”

“Site and Surroundings 1.1 The application site is occupied by a semi-detached, two-storey dwelling with rooms in the roof, on the west side of Cotswold Road. The area is residential in nature.”

“7 Cotswold Road is currently occupied as an Ofsted-registered, semi-independent, shared home, housing and providing support for up to five (5) persons aged 16 to 18 with diagnosed Autism and Learning Disabilities. In planning terms, the use is considered a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) (Class C4), being a ‘Use of a dwellinghouse by not more than six residents as a house in multiple occupation’.”

“There is no planning history at the site. However, it is recognised that a change of use from a Dwellinghouse (Class C3) to a House in Multiple Occupation (Small HMO) (Class C4) for between 3 and 6 persons is permitted development, i.e. not requiring planning permission.”

“Public Consultation 4.1 Eleven (11) neighbouring properties were notified of the application by letter. No representations were received.”

“Environmental Health 4.2 No objections. Suggests condition in relation to waste/recycling details. [Officer comment: the proposed use would not require additional/different waste/recycling storage above the existing provision on site so a condition is not necessary in this instance.]”

“Reason: To ensure the development is implemented in accordance with the permission sought and to enable the Local Planning Authority to retain control of the use within the Use Class specified so that occupation of the premises does not prejudice amenity, and to avoid an overprovision or otherwise unsustainable provision of residential care uses within the City, in accordance with the National Planning Policy Framework (2024), Policies KP2 and CP6 of the Core Strategy…”

“Prior to occupation of the development hereby approved water efficient design measures as set out in Policy DM2 (iv) of the Development Management Document to limit internal water consumption to 105 litres per person per day (lpd) (110 lpd when including external water consumption), including measures of water efficient fittings, appliances and water recycling systems such as grey water and rainwater harvesting shall be installed in the development hereby approved and be…”