Agenda item - BH2023/03293 - 9-12 St Catherines Terrace, Hove - Full Planning

1.    The case officer introduced the application to the committee.

Answers to Committee Members Questions

2.    Councillor Shanks was informed that the were no objections from highways and the site was in the Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ). An informative was added to allow the restriction of permits. The Principal Transport Development Officer noted that planning reports no longer came with a permit free condition, this was now covered by an informative. There is no second homes policy in the city. The proposal was amended to remove 6 less flats which would make the scheme even less viable than set out in the Viability Review by the DVS.

3.    Councillor Earthey was informed that the development helped to meet the housing targets set out in the City Plan.

4.    Councillor Parrott was informed that the late stage viability review would not result in a reduction in the affordable housing contribution sought by the Council. The amount could only increase.

5.    Councillor Winder was informed that the basement area had been increased, the flats originally proposed for basement only were now split level and covered the ground floor and basement. The agent stated that the original 36 flats had been reduced by 6 to 30 with duplex units. The light assessment considered the basement met standards.

6.    Councillor Theobald was informed that there would be a cycle store and while no bin store was shown, it would be secured via a planning condition. In addition, street bins in the surrounding area are available to use. The disabled access flats will be on the ground floor and there are existing disabled parking spaces nearby. The development will have sprinklers throughout, and Building Control will check this.

7.    Councillor Loughran was informed that the affordable housing figures were updated usually every year, and index linked and £239,000 was the residual amount left over to contribute to affordable housing as set out in the viability assessment.

Debate

8.    Councillor Earthey considered the affordable housing contribution not to be good; however they supported the application.

9.    Councillor Theobald considered affordable housing would be good, the building looked good from the front and some parking would have been nice. The proposals are considered to be a high standard of accommodation. The councillor was in two minds about the application.

10. Councillor Cattell considered the current building was derelict and the proposals would be attractive in the street scene. The £239,000 would be put towards other affordable housing schemes and buying back council housing. The councillor wanted to move away from private sector building towards affordable housing.

11. Councillor Nann supported the application; however, they considered the financial figures to be arbitrary, and a higher affordable housing contribution would be good.

12. Councillor Shanks stated there had been protests against the previous hostel, so it was good to see the development. An affordable housing contribution less than the cost of one flat was not good and the national government should look into viability.

13. Councillor Sheard considered that the committee needed to look at how affordable housing contributions were calculated and make improvements.

14. Councillor Thomson considered the affordable housing contribution would help. The councillor supported the application.

Vote

15. A Vote was taken, and the committee agreed unanimously to grant planning permission.

16. RESOLVED: That the Committee has taken into consideration and agrees with the reasons for the recommendation set out in the report and resolves to be MINDED TO GRANT planning permission subject to a s106 agreement on the Heads of Terms set out below and the following Conditions and Informatives as set out hereunder, SAVE THAT should the s106 Planning Obligation not be completed on or before 24^th September 2025 the Head of Planning is hereby authorised to refuse planning permission for the reasons set out in section 12 of the report.