Issue - meetings

REPORT OF THE DEVELOPMENT AND CONSERVATION MANAGER

Change of use of dwelling to registered residential children's home (C2) to accommodate 3 children with 24hr care staff (amended plans received 6 April 2025).

RESOLVED: That application 25/00012/FP be GRANTED planning permission subject to the reasons and conditions set out in the report of the Development and Conservation Manager.

Audio recording – 1 hour 1 minute 30 seconds.

N.B. Cllr Nigel Mason declared an interest in this item due to being a Hitchin Oughton Ward Councillor and had previously made comments on this application and therefore left the Chamber for the duration of the item. For this item, Cllr Emma Fernandes took over as Chair.

N.B. Cllr Claire Billing declared an interest in this item due to being the Member Advocate Objector and moved to the Public Gallery.

The Senior Planning Officer gave an update following a site visit stating that the applicant had decided to divide the garden into two sections following a visit from the Hertfordshire CYP Placement Officer, with one section being provided for the annexe to the property, which was envisioned would host an older child, who would require more independence.

The Senior Planning Officer presented the report in respect of Application 24/00012/FP supported by a visual presentation consisting of plans and photographs.

The following Members asked questions:

·       Councillor Dave Winstanley

·       Councillor Val Bryant 

·       Councillor Ruth Brown

·       Councillor Louise Peace

In response to questions, the Senior Planning Officer advised that:

·       Including the semi-independent annex there would be three residents.

·       All the residents would be under the age of 18.

·       For the three residents there would always be a minimum of two members of staff.

·       The residence was currently labelled C3b residential dwelling and was applying to become C2.

The Chair invited Mr Simon Brooks to speak against this application. Mr Brooks thanked the Chair for the opportunity and provided the Committee with a verbal presentation, including that:

·       He and his family lived next door to number 25, and he also represented other neighbours on Milestone Road.

·       When the original application for C3 was submitted last year, it had been advised that this would be like living next to a normal family. However, the reclassification to C2 could mean young people from prison or youth detention centres.

·       The changes to the garden had already been completed, which gave the impression that the applicant thought planning permission would definitely be given.

·       The dwelling was in the middle of the road that has elderly people and was located close to a school and nursery and there were concerns as to what measures had been put in place to keep other residents safe.

·       There were concerns as to whether the community would be informed if residents had prior convictions. The property looked like it had been changed to increase security, and there were concerns of the property becoming secure unit.

·       Concerns about an increased crime rate had been raised by police.

·       Care properties had become a lucrative business, what would be given back to the community.

·       There were risks that the community would like to be addressed.

·       He was worried about dangerous young people being next door to his children.

The following Members asked questions:

·       Councillor Val Bryant

·       Councillor Tom Tyson

In response to questions, Mr Brooks advised that:

·       The letter from the Crime Prevention Design Advisor had the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7