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

The application relates to a change of use of 515 Barlow Moor Road from ground floor retail (Use Class A1) and 1no. self-contained flat to form a single 2no. bedroom dwellinghouse (Use Class C3), elevational alterations to front and rear, landscaping, and, conversion of no.s 517 to 521 Barlow Moor Road from ground floor retail (Use Class A1) and 6no. self-contained flats to form 11.no self-contained flats (Use Class C3) together with a three storey rear extension to no.s 517 and 519 Barlow Moor Road, 3no front dormers and 3no. rear dormers, associated elevation alterations to front and rear including creation of vehicular and pedestrian access, bicycle and bin stores and formation of 6 no. car parking spaces

The Planning Officer addressed the Committee on the application, stating that the Committee had been on a site visit that morning, prior to the meeting.

A resident made representations on behalf of residents of the building and addressed the Committee in objection to the application on the grounds that there was insufficient space for all features proposed, that the garden to the rear is a wildlife corridor, that there were concerns over the potential for adding further car parking spaces and that the current tenants would be forced to move out of their homes when the development was complete.

Councillors Rawson and Shilton-Godwin (Chorlton Park Ward) addressed the Committee in objection to the application and requested that the application be refused for the reasons outlined.

The Planning Officer reported that the concerns over car parking and the garden space had been properly assessed and no objection was raised by the ecology unit and that the agent for the applicant had confirmed that current tenants would be supported with a move from the building to alternative accommodation.

The Chair invited the Committee to ask questions and comment on the application.

A member of the Committee, referring to the report, noted that the current tenants had been given a year and a half to prepare to move out of the premises.

The Planning Officer stated that the Government standard advice was that a planning permission should commence within three years of the grant of permission.

The Director of Planning confirmed the Planning Officer’s comments and stated that an extension could be sought if this was seen to be agreeable to the Committee.

A member of the Committee suggested the planning permission should be extended to five years and this would give the tenants a further period of time to make any arrangements to move to new accommodation.

The Director of Planning stated that this proposal could be added as a condition.

Councillor Andrews moved the recommendation of Approve for the application, subject to the added condition that the planning permission should be commenced within 5 years, so as to give the existing tenants further time within which to secure new accommodation. Councillor Richards seconded the proposal.

Decision

The Committee agreed the application as detailed in the report submitted and subject to the condition that the planning permission should be commenced within 5 years.