32 affordable apartments at Bereweeke Court Nursing Home, Winchester

What was proposed

The application proposed demolishing a redundant care home and building 32 apartments, including 50% affordable housing, with associated access, parking and landscaping works.

“Case No: 23/02001/FUL Proposal Description: Demolition of redundant care home and associated outbuildings, redevelopment of the site to provide 32 apartments including 50% affordable housing and associated alterations to site access, sub-station, hard and soft landscaping, car parking, cycle store, plant room, refuse and recycling store, drainage, boundary treatments and other associated works.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site contained an unoccupied former 50-bed care home beside residential properties, a tennis club access road and padel courts.

“To the west of the site is the access road to the Bereweeke Road Tennis Club with padel tennis courts directly to the rear, north, of the site. To the eastern boundary of the site there are residential dwellings, no.5 fronting onto Bereweeke Road and two houses on Bereweeke Close to the rear. The area is mainly made up of residential properties.”

“There is an existing building on the site which is currently unoccupied. The building was last used as a 50 bed care home with 18 parking spaces some landscape areas around the building and a small amount of parking to the front. The building has been used as a care home for over 25 years.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended permission because the proposal was acceptable in principle, provided affordable housing, avoided material harm to neighbours and protected highway safety.

“The development is recommended for permission as it is considered that the proposal would not result in a harmful impact on the character of the surrounding area or result in any material planning harm to the neighbouring amenities. The proposal provides a development in a sustainable location with no harm to highway safety. This development is proposing 50% affordable housing on the site.”

Officer report

Noise and nearby activities

Balconies were removed from the northern elevation and acoustic fencing, glazing and ventilation measures were proposed to mitigate noise from the neighbouring padel courts.

“The previous report has been appended to this addendum report. Additions to the addendum report in relation to noise and a change to the plans condition are outlined below: Noise Amendments have been made to remove the balconies altogether from the northern elevation of the proposed development.”

“- Amended glazing specification of the northern elevation and part of the flank elevations with glazing systems with enhanced acoustic properties, and amendments to some window positions. Further information has been submitted in the form of an amended noise technical note, an overheating analysis and a building ventilation strategy.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Most technical consultees raised no objection subject to conditions, while the Highway Authority accepted the scheme subject to a contribution and car club space.

“Service Lead – Sustainability and Natural Environment (Trees) – • 28 th September 2023 – objection due to lack of information • 8 th November 2023 - New information was submitted • 15 th November 2023 – no objections, subject to conditions. (conditions 14-20)”

“Hampshire County Council (Highway Authority) – • 18 th October – objection • 21 st June – holding objection • 21 st August – no objection, subjection to S106 for contribution and car club space…”

Officer report

Who spoke

A supporter spoke in favour, and Councillor Jonny Morris spoke as a ward member on behalf of residents.

The committee debate

Members considered the revised design and whether noise safeguards would protect both future residents and the neighbouring club from unreasonable restrictions.

“He noted that the application had returned to the committee because the developers had modified their design, firstly in response to officer feedback and secondly to address sound-related issues raised by the adjacent Winchester Racquets and Fitness Club. 2.”

“He believed that it was necessary for all parties to be protected: to prevent the Club from facing future noise abatement notices, to ensure residents were not disturbed by noise, and to allow the developer to avoid potential issues selling the properties. He endorsed a condition proposed by the Club as a satisfactory way of resolving the issue and recommended that the committee approve the application with this condition attached. 7.”

Minutes

The committee’s decision

The committee agreed to grant permission subject to the conditions and informatives in the report and update sheet.

“The committee proceeded to ask questions and debate the application.”

“RESOLVED The committee agreed to grant permission for the reasons and subject to the conditions and informatives set out in the report and the update sheet.”

Minutes