13-bedroom supported HMO at 24 St Peter's Hill, Grantham

What was proposed

The application sought to convert rear and upper office floors into a 13-bedroom HMO, with replacement windows and retained commercial frontage.

“S25/2345 Proposal: Planning application for a proposed change of use of Offices (Use Class E) to a 13-bedroom House in Multiple Occupancy (HMO) (Use Class Sui Generis) at rear ground floor and upper floors. Replacement windows.”

“The application site is an office building on St Peter’s Hill in the town of Grantham. The building comprises of a three-storey building with stepped access and a sloped access ramp on St Peter’s Hill, on the end of a line of terraced buildings. This building has a bay window to the ground and first floors.”

Officer report

Consultees’ views

Highways, the town council, environmental protection and police raised no objections, while the NHS requested a healthcare contribution.

“Representations Received Lincolnshire County Council (Highways) 5.1 No objections, subject to planning conditions and informatives. Comments: St Peter’s Hill is one of the approaches to Grantham town centre so shops and other services are all within walking distance of the property. St Peter’s Hill is a bus route and Grantham Railway Station is within walking distance of the property.”

“In view of these criteria, the Highways and Lead Local Flood Authority does not consider that this proposal would result in a severe impact with regard to NPPF. Travel Plan A travel plan is not required for a site of this size. Flood Risk and Drainage There are no proposed changes to the drainage on the site’. Grantham Town Council 5.3 No objections.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The public speaking session included two district ward councillors and the applicant.

Members’ debate

Members questioned support provision, room and outdoor-space standards, parking, waste, management, employment policy, safety and cumulative HMO effects.

“The Principal Development Management Planner clarified policy E6 related to the loss of employment land and would need to meet the criteria, however, the policy allowed loss of employment land to non-employment uses where it demonstrates compliance with any one of the criteria.”

“One Member proposed refusal of the application based on the cumulative impact of HMOs in Grantham in terms of character of the area and parking provision meaning it was contrary to policy DE1 and the aims of the NPPF. • Further concern was raised on health, safety and wellbeing of the occupants of the HMO.”

Minutes

The vote

The committee agreed to approve the application, with four councillors voting against the proposal.

“It was proposed, seconded and AGREED to authorise the Assistant Director – Planning to GRANT planning permission, subject to conditions:”

“(Councillors Tim Harrison, Mark Whittington, Sarah Trotter and Harrish Bisnauthsing voted AGAINST the proposal to approve the application).”

Minutes

The decision and conditions

Permission was granted subject to commencement, approved plans, crime-prevention, management-plan and occupancy conditions limiting the HMO to 13 occupants.

“Before the development hereby permitted is occupied, a scheme of crime prevention measures shall have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. Thereafter, the approved measures shall be implemented in full prior to first occupation, and shall be retained and maintained throughout the operation of the use, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority.”

“Before the development hereby permitted is occupied, a Site Management Plan shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The Site Management Plan shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following details:”

Minutes