Agenda item - BH2021/03357 - Cinch Self-Storage, South Road, Brighton - Full Planning

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

Speakers

2.       Ward Councillor Nield addressed the committee and stated that application was in a conservation area defined by small low properties with some barns, farm buildings and cottages. The extensions proposed would increase the impact on these buildings. The extra storey will dominate the small buildings and the area. There will be a small loss of light to the neighbouring cottages, it is considered that any loss is not good. The proposals will increase the height and thereby increase business where access to the car park is already too small. The development is ignoring the dignity of the small cottages. There is a responsibility to protect these properties from this over development.

3.       Don Dingle addressed the committee as the agent acting on behalf of the applicant and stated that the existing building was considered unattractive, and the application would improve the appearance. The proposals would be 2 feet taller than the neighbour to the rear and 72 feet from the nearest residential property. It was noted that the daylight survey found the proposals to be policy compliant. Around 120 business support the business, which is 24 hours, 7 days a week. The proposals reduce the opening hours to 8am to 8pm and reduced at the weekends. The mature planting will be retained, and the development will improve the area. The committee were requested to support the application.

Answers to Committee Member Questions

4.       Councillor Moonan was informed by the Principal Planning officer that the materials facing the listed building had been changed to brick. The case officer stated that under policy the materials did not need to match the surrounding buildings and the heritage officer has raised no objections.

Debate

5.       Councillor Shanks considered the existing cottages to be an important asset to the area and the site receives a lot of traffic already. The councillor was against the application.

6.       Councillor Theobald considered the levelling up to the bowling green ground level makes the development very high. Three storeys are too much, however, the materials are better than the existing. The councillor was against the application.

7.       Councillor Hills supported the application as there were no strong reasons for refusal.

Vote

8.       A vote was taken, and by 4 to 3, the committee agreed to grant planning permission.

9.       RESOLVED: That the Committee has taken into consideration and agrees with the reasons for the recommendation set out in the report and resolves to GRANT planning permission subject to the Conditions and Informatives as set out in the report.