The report of the Director of Planning, Building Control and Licensing is enclosed.

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Planning, Building Control

and Licensing for the demolition of 470-472 Moss Lane East and conversion of 466 –

468 Moss Lane East, in order to facilitate the erection of a 7-9 storey building to form

purpose-built student accommodation (sui generis) and provide in total 261 student

bedrooms with a mix of studios and en-suite rooms set within clusters bedrooms.

Listed Building Consent was also sought for internal and external alterations and

extension, in the form of a link building to the Grade II listed 466 to 468 Moss Lane

East to facilitate its conversion to purpose-built student accommodation.

17 individual representations had been received, 12 of which objected and 5 of which

supported the proposed development. Objections had also been received from Platt

Claremont Residents Association, Moss Side Tenants Union, Great Southern to

Western Community Action Network, The Victorian Society and from Councillor Emily

Rowles on behalf of the Moss Side Councillors.

The Committee heard from a resident who spoke on behalf of a number of

neighbourhood and community groups to raise concerns about the application. The

points of objection were in relation to the height of the proposed development and the

impact this would have in terms of the loss on light and privacy to adjacent

properties. She asked if the Committee could visit the site to obtain an appreciation

as to the impact this development would have on neighbouring properties. She

further made reference to the impact that car parking and increased deliveries would

have on the local neighbourhood, and the lack of disabled onsite parking. She

concluded by asking the Committee to reject the application.

The applicant’s agent addressed the Committee. He stated that this development

would address the need for high quality student accommodation and the site had

been identified to meet demand. He said that the site was located near to the

University campus and a letter of support had been submitted by the University. He

referred to the location of the proposed development and its relationship to public

transport links, commenting that this would negate the need for residents to use cars.

He made reference to the model of the accommodation to be delivered which

included 10% of rooms being offered at an affordable rent for students, the

accessibility of rooms for disabled or mobility impaired students. He said that the site

would benefit from a 24hour concierge and that a management plan would be

devised to facilitate student ‘move in’ and ‘move out’ dates.

The Planning Officer responded to the issue of massing, loss of light and privacy that

had been referred to by the objector, noting that these had been addressed within the

report. He stated that the ornate heritage features of the frontage of the building

would be reinstated and would frame the modern development. He stated that this

was a car free scheme, and this would be a condition of tenancy agreements and the

site would be exempt from the local resident parking scheme, referring again to the

sustainability of the location. In response to a question, he advised that the 10% of

rooms offered at an affordable rent would be included in a legal agreement if the

application was to be approved.

Councillor Hewitson recommended that the Committee undertake a site visit to

understand the scale of the proposed development and the impact this would have

on neighbouring properties. Councillor Hughes seconded this proposal.

Decision

The Committee resolved to defer the application to undertake a site visit to

understand the impact the proposed development would have on the local

neighbourhood, owing to concerns expressed regarding the height of the

development.