27 homes at Albion House, North Shields

What is proposed

The application seeks to convert offices into 27 homes, including apartments and houses with one, two and three bedrooms.

“Introduction and scope of decision 1.1 This application seeks prior approval under Schedule 2, Part 3, Class MA of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 (as amended). Under Class MA the Local Planning Authority is restricted to assessing a defined list of matters only.”

“Description of the Proposed Development 3.1 The application seeks prior approval for change of use from Use Class E to Use Class C3 to provide twenty-seven dwellings, comprising a mix of one-bed and two-bed apartments and two- and three-bed houses. Any external alterations required to support the conversion are the subject of a separate full planning application and do not form part of this prior approval.”

Officer report

The site

The site is in a town-centre corner location with offices, a rear car park, social clubs, a health centre and nearby homes.

“Description of the Site 2.1 The site occupies a corner position at the junction of Sidney Street and Albion Road in North Shields town centre. It comprises two existing two-storey office buildings and a rear car park accessed from West Percy Street. To the south lies the Terminus Social Club; to the west is a health centre and a further social club. Residential properties are situated to the north and east.”

Officer report

Officers’ assessment

Officers found the proposal acceptable because it met Class MA requirements, with conditions addressing access, parking, construction, cycle storage and commercial noise.

“Main Issues 7.1 Transport impacts, particularly safe site access 7.2 The Transport Assessment demonstrates that the residential conversion would reduce peak-hour vehicle trips in comparison with the existing lawful office use. Thirty-three on-site parking spaces are proposed and the site is highly accessible by public transport and active travel modes.”

“Noise from commercial premises 7.7 Class MA requires explicit consideration of noise from commercial premises. The application site is adjacent to two social clubs and Environmental Health officers have identified the need for updated and robust noise evidence reflecting current entertainment, patron and plant operations. The acceptability of the conversion depends on securing mitigation to achieve appropriate internal noise standards.”

Officer report

Who spoke

Councillor Lott objected over noise and outdated monitoring, while the agent supported the application and described mitigation and housing benefits.

Vote and decision

The committee accepted the officer recommendation unanimously and permitted the application subject to the conditions.

“Based on the considerations of the Committee the chair proposed acceptance of the officer’s recommendation that the application be approved.”

“Resolved that the application be permitted subject to the conditions set out in the report.”

Minutes