Mother and baby unit at 2 Sunnycroft, Harlow

What was proposed

The application sought to change a five-bedroom dwelling into a mother and baby or child unit for up to five mothers and five children aged 0–5.

“Change of Use from Use Class C3 (Residential Dwellinghouse) to Use Class Sui Generis (Mother and Baby/Child Unit for up to five mothers and five babies/children between the ages of 0-5) (Amended Proposal Description)”

“The proposal seeks permission for the change of use from single dwellinghouse (Use Class C3) to a mother and baby/child unit (Use Class Sui Generis) for up to five mothers and five babies/children between the ages of 0-5. No external alterations are proposed.”

Officer report

The site

The site is a detached two-storey house in Bush Fair with front parking, a rear garden and an outbuilding.

“The application site relates to 2 Sunnycroft, a detached two-storey dwelling located within a residential area of Bush Fair. It shares a boundary to the north with No.1, and to the east with Nos 3 and 4. The site is not located within a conservation area, nor within the setting of listed buildings.”

“The existing dwelling benefits from five bedrooms, generous front curtilage parking and rear garden with outbuilding.”

Officer report

Earlier applications

An earlier mother and baby assessment unit application was withdrawn, while previous extension and outbuilding applications had been approved or considered lawful.

“Application Number Proposal Status Decision Date HW/FUL/24/00086 Change of use from existing use class C3 (dwellinghouse) to use class Sui generis (Mother and Baby Assessment Unit) Withdrawn 05.06.2024”

“HW/NMA/23/00404 Application for non-material amendment following grant of planning permission under planning reference HW/HSE/22/00537 for the replacement of brown individual tiles cladding with grey horizontal upvc cladding for the construction of a two-storey side extension, single storey side extension, first floor side extension. Grant Non- material Amendment 18.10.2023”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Essex Police and Environmental Health raised no objection, Highways raised no objection, and Fire and Rescue provided comments for later consideration.

“Essex County Fire & Rescue Service have made comments relating to access, building regulations, water supply and sprinkler systems. These would be imposed as informatives should planning permission be granted.”

Officer report

Residents’ objections

Ten objection letters raised concerns about housing loss, parking, traffic, noise, privacy, security, local services, character and available facilities.

“- Principle of Development: loss of housing stock; question as to what defines a mother and child unit. - Parking/Highway Safety: will exacerbate local parking stress; traffic generation; further demand could create unsafe conditions and reduce access for emergency services…”

“- Amenity: noise generation (staff shift changes and professional visits, disruption from potential emergency callouts or safeguarding interventions); loss of privacy; security; light pollution caused by floodlights; erosion of sense of local community; change of use detriment to neighbour’s enjoyment of their property…”

Officer report

Who spoke

Two objectors and the agent addressed the committee.

Committee decision

Planning permission was granted subject to the conditions set out for the application.

“Representations were heard from two objectors and the agent.”

“RESOLVED that planning permission be GRANTED subject to the conditions in the report.”

Minutes