The report of the Head of Planning, Building Control and Licensing is attached.

This application relates to a broadly rectangular site of 0.58 hectares, bounded by Wilmslow Road to the west and Cromwell Range to the south. Across Wilmslow Road to the west is the Manchester High School for Girls campus, to the south across Cromwell Grove is the Hollins Building (the Toast Rack) currently being renovated. Abutting the site to the east and fronting Cromwell Grove is the side elevation of Weston Court a three storey building with accommodation in the roof providing two, three and four bedroom flats for students. To the north of the site is Thorne House, a private flat development separated from the application site by a private access road shared by Thorne House and the Allen Hall Site. Thorne House comprises 72 flats with access, both pedestrian and vehicular from the private road which is a cul de sac off Wilmslow Road.

Officers advised that there had been some minor alterations to the proposals that had resulted in changes to conditions 4 and 14, and a typographic error in condition 2.  The revised conditions were included in the Late Representations.  Officers also proposed an additional condition regarding cycle storage and the number of cycles that could be parked in the garage at the rear of the site.

The applicant’s agent spoke to the Committee and explained the background to the proposals.  He also explained that the proposals had been subject to detailed discussions with officers since the development was initially proposed.  He added that the principle of using Allen hall as student accommodation was well established, and that the premises had been used for this purpose previously. This application was for a change of use of parts of the building to create additional, modern accommodation that would significantly improve the quality of the accommodation on offer.

The Committee asked for clarification as to the size of the rooms to be offered, and whether they would be smaller than currently on offer.  The Committee also asked about the proposed travel plan, and whether parking limitations could be put on the private road that is used to access the site.

Officers confirmed that the additional rooms would utilise the space available more effectively, including roof voids, than the current layout, which will easily allow the increased number of bedspaces.  Officers also said that it would not be possible to put parking limitations on the private road. 

The Committee asked for clarification as to whether there would be an on site Bar selling alcohol, and officers confirmed that the amenity space would not be a licensed premises and there was a condition that this must be ancilliary to the accommodation only. 

Officers also confirmed that the adjoining school had not made any representations regarding the proposals. 

The Committee concluded that that those elements of the proposed development which require planning permission accord with the City Councils policies and that the development will bring back into use a series of vacant buildings which if left vacant will continue to detract from the visual and residential amenity of the area.

Decision

To approve the application subject to the conditions and reasons in the report and the late Representations, and an additional condition regarding cycle storage and the number of cycles that could be parked in the garage at the rear of the site.