Agenda item - BH2023/03432 - Flat 13, St Gabriels, 18A Wellington Road, Brighton - Full Planning

1.         The Planning Manager introduced the application to the committee.

Answers to Committee Member Questions

2.         Councillor Robinson was informed that the sound insulation proposed was better than usual. The case officer had visited the site and there were no rooflights proposed to keep the external changes to a minimum.

3.         Councillor Thomson was informed that the total number of residents in the entire building was not known. It was noted that there was room for 5 persons.

4.         Councillor Winder expressed concerns and considered that half a subdivision would be better.

5.         Councillor Sheard expressed concerns and was informed that the third bedroom was acceptable in space size with 15sqm floor space. The height standards under policy DM1 are acceptable. The Planning Manager stated that over 75% of the floor area needs to have a height of 2.3m or more which it did.

6.         Councillor Earthey considered the usable volume of the development to include lots of unusable space.

7.         Councillor Winder was informed that the heat levels of living under the roof and insulation needed would be covered by Building Regulations.

8.         Councillor Robinson was informed that the floor area would be 127sqm.

9.         Councillor Loughran was informed that the development more than met the minimum communal space requirements of 20sqm per person with 35sqm per person.

10.      Councillor Nann was informed that the floor area was acceptable and met requirements. The space standards are acceptable.

11.      Councillor Theobald noted that the report found the floor space was adequate.

Debate

12.      Councillor Hill considered the sound aspects of the development to be a concern given it was a HMO rather than a single household, however, they considered the space to be good. The councillor supported the application.

13.      Councillor Robinson considered the ceiling heights to be generally acceptable other than in the shared spaces which appeared cramped. The councillor did not support the application.

14.      Councillor Sheard was against the application. They understood it met the 75% requirement for floor space to be over 2.3m but the circulation spaces and third bedroom would have large areas where people of average height would have to bend down and this would be concerning in an HMO. The internal corridor is less than 2.3m in height. There will be an increase in noise pollution, and this would impact on future occupiers.

15.      Councillor Thomson considered the sloping ceilings hard to ignore. The councillor did not support the application.

16.      Councillor Loughran considered HMOs need more circulation space and that it would be contrary to policy DM1. There would be a lack of light, overheating, poor head heights and low living standards which would affect health/wellbeing. The councillor did not support the application.

Vote

17.      A vote was taken, and by 3 to 7 the committee voted against the officer

recommendation.

18.      A motion to refuse the application was proposed by Councillor Sheard and seconded by Councillor Thomson as the development was considered to be contrary to policies DM1, DM20 and DM21.

19.      A recorded vote was taken, and the following councillors voted for a refusal: Robinson, Thomson, Winder, Nann, Sheard, Earthey and Loughran. The following councillors voted against the refusal: Allen, Theobald and Hill.

20.      RESOLVED: The committee has taken into consideration and does not agree to GRANT planning permission and refuses the application as contrary to policies DM1, DM20 and DM21.