Agenda item - BH20188/03798 - 35-39 The Droveway, Hove - Full Planning

Change of use from former Dairy Crest depot (B8) to a Mixed-use flexible commercial development of 1435sqm (Flexible between use classes B1(a), A1, A2, A3, D1) incorporating alterations including removal of northern extension and erection of a new wing with 14no residential units (C3). Erection of a new central wing to court yard, onsite car parking, cycle storage and areas for storage of waste and recycling.

RECOMMENDATION – MINDED TO GRANT

Ward Affected: Hove Park

1.    Principal Planning Officer, Luke Austin, introduced the application and gave a detailed presentation by reference to site plans, photographs and elevational drawings detailing the proposed scheme. The main considerations for this application relate to the dilution of the existing B Class employment use, the impact upon the character and importance of the locally listed heritage asset, the proposed residential units including the affordable units, the proposed commercial uses, impacts upon neighbouring amenity, transport, sustainability, landscaping, ecology and trees.

2.    The Committee were informed that a previous application had been refused and an appeal has commenced. The scheme presented under this application has been amended following officer comments. The amendments to reduce the impact on the neighbouring residential properties include the removal of the ground floor integral garages in the proposed terrace to northern side of the site, to allow the change of living space to ground floor from first floor and the introduction of two parking spaces outside each property. Cycle storage has also been amended.

Questions for Officer

3.    Councillor Carol Theobald was informed that the three existing openings onto the highway would be used with no changes to the existing front boundary wall which is to be retained.

Debate

4.    Councillor Daniel Yates considered the new design a sensible approach to the site and felt that the amenities of the neighbours were better protected under this scheme. Councillor Yates stated his support for the application.

5.    Councillor Gill Williams felt that the four affordable units and the reductions in height were good improvements.

6.    Councillor Joe Miller felt that the scheme was much improved, and the garage removal was a good idea.

7.    Councillor Carol Theobald liked the design and the improved scheme. It was noted that the S106 Agreement seemed a lot of money. The committee were informed that the proformas and guidance had been used to calculate the developer contributions.

8.    The Committee were invited to vote on the officer’s recommendation to be MINDED TO GRANT Planning Permission.

Vote: All Agreed.

9.    RESOLVED: That the committee took 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 Planning Obligation and the conditions and informatives set out in the report, SAVE THAT should the S106 Planning Obligation not be completed on or before 2 October 2019, the Head of Planning is hereby authorised to refuse planning permission for the reasons set out in section 11 of the report.

10.