Agenda item - BH2022/01855 - 62-63 Old Steine and 3 Palace Place, Brighton - Full Planning

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

Answers to Committee Member Questions

2.       Councillor Moonan was informed that there would be one disabled unit at ground floor level and no marketing of the building had been undertaken as a viability assessment had been undertaken on this council owned property. It was also noted that the property had wheelchair access by condition. The Housing Development & Acquisitions Manager noted that the June 2021 Housing committee agreed to release the building as part of the asset disposal strategy.

3.       Councillor Yates was informed by the Highway Agreements Officer that the highways comments were there should be no parking for the property. It was noted that the cycle basement parking would require by discharge of condition to be demonstrated to be accessible. The Planning Manager stated that the cycle parking condition could be

looked at. Councillor Yates suggested ‘or alternative arrangements as with transport’, and an informative to enforce.

4.       The Planning Manager noted this was a car free development and stated that the process has changed from securing this via a condition and an informative can be attached instead which would alert the transport team to decide if residents would be restricted in accessing permits.

Debate

5.       Councillor Hugh-Jones considered the access to cycle parking through three doors to be an issue.

6.       Councillor Yates noted the property has a long history and considered the loss of office space in the city centre a concern. The councillor did not consider the cycle parking the best use of the underground space and requested more useful cycle parking be found.

7.       Councillor Gibson supported the scheme with 100% affordable housing and high eco standards.

8.       Councillor Janio considered that policy prevents conversion to accommodation. The councillor supported the application.

Vote

9.       A vote was taken on the informative, and the committee agreed unanimously: Existing Controlled Parking Zone/Residents’ Parking Scheme: You are advised that details of the development will be passed to B&HCC as Traffic Authority administering the Controlled

Parking Zone, of which the development forms part, so they can determine whether occupiers should be eligible for residents’ parking permits.

10.      A vote was taken on the changes to condition 8, and the committee agreed unanimously: Amend condition 8: The development hereby permitted shall not be occupied until the cycle parking facilities shown on the approved plans have been fully implemented and made available for use or an alternative arrangement has been agreed with the Local Planning Authority which is subsequently implemented. The cycle parking facilities shall thereafter be retained for use by the occupants of, and visitors to, the development at all times.

Reason: To ensure that satisfactory facilities for the parking of cycles are provided and to encourage travel by means other than private motor vehicles and to comply with policy DM36 of the Brighton & Hove City Plan Part Two, and SPD14 Parking Standards.

11.      A vote was taken on the officer recommendations, and the committee agreed unanimously to grant planning permission.

12.      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 a s106 agreement and the Conditions and Informatives as set out in the report.