Office and worship use at Unit 8 Swan Lane, Exning, Newmarket

What was proposed

The application proposed changing an office into a mixed office and public worship use, with worship on Sundays from 09:30 to 14:00.

“Proposal: The application seeks planning permission for the change of use of building from office (Class E(g)(i)) to a mixed use office and public worship. All mixed uses are considered to be sui generis in planning terms.”

“The proposal seeks a mixed use, with the site being used for office and administration use during the week (but as a use associated with and related to the public worship use), with the space being used for public worship on a Sunday only, and for this public worship use to only take place between the hours of 09:30-14:00.”

Officer report

The site

The building is in Swan Lane Business Park within Exning’s settlement boundary, housing settlement boundary and Conservation Area.

“Site details: The application site is situated within the settlement boundary for Exning and located in the Swan Lane Business Park. Swan Lane Business Park is located within the Exning Housing settlement boundary and Conservation Area and is designated as an employment site that consists of commercial and industrial uses. The Business Park also benefits from an existing car park located to the West of the application site.”

Officer report

Earlier application

An earlier proposal to change the office into a church was refused because employment loss and parking were not sufficiently justified.

“DC/23/0609/FUL Planning application - change of use from office (B1(a) to Church (F1) Application Refused 30 August 2023”

Officer report

What consultees said

The parish council objected, while the highway, health and housing consultees raised no objections subject to conditions; economic development concerns remained.

“Suffolk County Council Highway Authority No objections to the application subject to conditions for the parking areas to be provided and details of cycle storage to be provided.”

“Private Sector Health and Housing Based on the information provided with this application, there is unlikely to be an adverse impact arising from the proposed change of use. Therefore, there are no objections subject to conditions.”

Officer report

What residents said

Residents raised concerns about parking, noise and the suitability of the location, with three further objections reported after re-consultation.

“Parking Issues • Noise • Unsuitable location for use…”

“Any further comments received as a result of the re-consultation will be reported verbally.”

Officer report

Who spoke

A parish council representative spoke against the application and the agent spoke in support.

What members discussed

Members discussed parking numbers, shared parking, enforceability of opening hours, Sunday transport, cycle storage and the noise condition.

“Councillor London asked if parking could be conditioned in some way to restrict the sole use of the shared car park to Unit 8 on a Sunday, and if this could be made clear with signage. He also inquired if the opening hours of the premises (condition No 3) was considered enforceable.”

“In response to comments in relation to sustainable transport, with Members being mindful of the lack of public transport available to Exning village on a Sunday, the Planning Officer drew attention to the cycle storage proposed for 10 cycles.”

Minutes

The vote

Councillors proposed and seconded approval, which passed with 12 votes for and two against.

“Councillor Don Waldron proposed that the application be approved, as per the Officer recommendation. This was duly seconded by Councillor Peter Armitage.”

“Upon being put to the vote and with 12 voting for the motion and 2 against, it was resolved that…”

Minutes

The decision

Permission was granted with conditions controlling worship and office hours, parking, cycle storage, music noise and external lighting.

“Time Limit The development hereby permitted shall be begun not later than three years from the date of this permission. Approved Plans The development hereby permitted shall not be carried out except in complete accordance with the details shown on the approved plans and documents, unless otherwise stated. 3.”

“C655-P-06 (Rev.A) for the purposes of manoeuvring and parking of vehicles have been provided and thereafter the area(s) shall be retained, maintained and used for no other purposes. Details of Cycle Storage Before the development is first brought into use details of the areas to be provided for the secure, covered and lit cycle storage including electric assisted cycles shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.”

Minutes