Issue - meetings

Ground floor change of use from a restaurant (Use Class A3) to a 9 bedroomed HMO (Use Class Sui Generis)

Alison Hunt, a local resident, spoke in objection to the application.

FaribaSezavar, the applicant, spoke in support of the application.

The Service Manager – Development Services introduced the report.

RESOLVED toREFUSE PLANNING PERMISSION

1.         The property is prominently located within the Netherfield Local Centre at the intersection of two main shopping streets. The proposed conversion of the existing A3 use to a nine bedroom house of multiple occupation falling within a Sui Generis use class would be contrary to the objectives of Saved Local Plan Policy S2 and Emerging Local Plan Policy LPD49 which seek to ensure that the retail character of local centres is retained and to promote the vitality and viability of local centres. For these reasons, the proposal is also contrary to the overarching objectives of the National Planning Policy Framework which seeks to safeguard the vitality and viability of local centres. Whilst the property is currently vacant, it has been in use through the proceeding years and no evidence has been provided to demonstrate that it cannot be reasonably reused for its current use or in a use that would comply with the relevant national and local planning policies.