Solicitors' office at 280 - 282 Dunstable Road, Luton

What was proposed

The application proposed changing an existing hostel into a solicitors’ office, with associated external alterations.

“25/00607/FUL Subject: Change of use of existing Hostel (sui generis) into Solicitors Office (E(c)(ii) and associated external alterations. Address: 280 - 282 Dunstable Road, Luton, LU4 8JN Applicant: [name withheld]: Head of Planning Contact Officer: G Clark Implications: Legal • Community Safety • Equalities • Environment • Financial ☐ Consultations • Staffing ☐ Other • Wards Affected: Biscot Purpose 1.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site is a detached building in a mixed-use area, with a solicitor’s office nearby and residential side streets around it.

“Background The Site 3. The existing building is a large, detached dwelling located on Dunstable Road. The surrounding area is described as mixed use. There is a solicitor’s adjacent to the site as well as a nursery on the opposite side of Dunstable Road close to the junction with Chatsworth Road. There are also pockets of mixed-use development further up the road, which is designated as a Shopping Parade Frontage, LLP23 applies. 4.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Four properties objected during consultation and four further representations supported the proposal; technical consultees raised no significant issues.

“Facts of the Application Material Site Details Strategic Allocation: unallocated Conservation Area: N/A Setting of a Listed Building: N/A Flood Risk Zone: Flood Zone 1 Other: N/A Housing Mix of Dwellings: Studio: N/A One-bedroom: N/A Two-bedroom: N/A Three-bedroom: N/A Four-bedroom+: N/A Affordable Housing: YES/NO N/A Internal Space Standards: NDSS Compliant: N/A External Space Standards: Appendix 6 Compliant: N/A Non-Residential Uses Existing Use(s): Hostel Proposed Use(s):…”

“Consultation Responses Technical Consultation 12. The application was notified to many technical consultees and no significant issues have been raised towards the development, in some cases following the receipt of additional information. Conditions have been recommended and, where appropriate and reasonable, these have been incorporated into the conditions as set out at ‘Appendix 1’ and summarised above.”

Officer report

Who spoke

An objector’s representative, the applicant and the applicant’s representative addressed the committee.

Committee discussion

Members discussed the application, supported the officer recommendation and requested an additional green travel plan condition.

“Following discussions, comments and statements by Members of the committee, the Chair moved the Officer’s recommendations to approve the application as set out in the report. Members requested an additional condition of the inclusion of a green travel…”

Minutes

The committee’s decision

The committee agreed the reasons for approval and granted planning permission subject to the report’s conditions and a green travel plan.

“Resolved: (i) That the reasons for approval for Application No. 25/00607/FUL set out in the report (Ref 9) be agreed. (ii) That planning permission be granted, subject to the conditions set out in Appendix 1 of the report, including the provision of a green travel plan.”

Minutes