Issue - meetings

At the invitation of the Chairman, Councillor Mrs. J. M. L. A. Griffiths addressed the Committee and spoke in support of this application (11/1037-DK) and the associated application for Listed Building Consent (11/1038-DK).

Consideration was then given to the application which had been recommended for refusal by the Head of Planning and Regeneration Services.  However, on the matter being put to the vote, Members considered that the need for dementia care outweighed any harm to the setting of the Listed Building and the character of the Conservation Area, and also outweighed any harmful impact on the residential amenity of the adjoining properties.

The Head of Planning and Regeneration Services stated that, in the event of the Committee being minded to approve the application, it would be necessary for the Council to consult with English Heritage who may request that it be referred to the National Planning Casework Unit (formerly, the Government Office for the West Midlands), due to the impact the development would have on the setting of a Listed Building.

RESOLVED:

(1)       that English Heritage be consulted as to whether the application should be referred to the National Planning Casework Unit under the "departure" procedure; and

(2)       that, in the event that the application is not referred to, and / or subsequently "called-in" by, the National Planning Casework Unit, permission to approve the application be delegated to the Head of Planning and Regeneration Services subject to the imposition of any reasonable conditions and notes as considered necessary by the Head of Planning and Regeneration Services, with specific reference to a belt of screening to the boundary with the adjacent dwelling known as 'The Close'.