Community modular building at The Lighthouse, Dovercourt, Harwich

What was proposed

The application sought to change part of the sports and social hub land to accommodate a single-storey modular community building and secure storage.

“Development: Planning Application - change of use of land for siting of a single storey modular building for community use.”

“The application seeks permission to change the use of part of the land used by The Lighthouse sports and social hub for the siting of a single storey modular building for community use. The new building will allow the expansion of the existing activities year-round and provides additional secure space for storage associated with the activities.”

Officer report

The site

The site is a seafront community facility with a café, skating rink, hardstanding and grassed areas, within safeguarded open space and flood zones 2 and 3.

“The application site known as The Lighthouse, a sports and social hub is located on the Dovercourt seafront along Lower Marine Parade and forms part of the Safeguarded Open Space along the seafront. The Lighthouse site incorporates a single storey café with facilities and changing rooms, the surfaced roller skating rink and further hardstanding and grassed areas. The Lighthouse site has pedestrian access only directly from Lower Marine Parade.”

“The site lies outside of any settlement development boundary also lying within flood zones 2 and 3.”

Officer report

Earlier site approvals

Earlier approvals covered access ramps and roller shutter doors, a store and viewing area, a pavilion and public shelter, and a café and public conveniences.

“10/01103/FUL Access ramps and roller shutter doors Approved…”

“91/0009/FUL Formation of store and viewing area Approved…”

Officer report

Consultees and local views

Harwich Town Council had no objection, while 14 public representations comprised one supporting comment and 13 objections on several planning matters.

“Harwich Town Council has no objection to this application…”

Officer report

Who spoke

A planning officer presented the application, the applicant spoke in favour, and a member of the public spoke against it.

The committee’s decision

The committee authorised planning permission subject to the report’s conditions, with wording adjustments where necessary and any required informatives.

“1) the Head of Planning and Building Control be authorised to grant planning permission subject to the conditions as stated at paragraph 10.2 of the Officer report (A.2), or varied as is necessary to ensure the wording is enforceable, precise, and reasonable in all other respects, including appropriate updates, so long as the principle of the conditions as referenced is retained; and…”

“2) the sending of any informative notes to the application as may be deemed necessary.”

Minutes