Received a letter from the council this morning explaining their reasons for refusing the change of use and conversion of the existing office space to provide 43 student residential units (Sui Generis) involving the installation of new doors and windows on the front and side elevations together with the provision of 24 cycle parking spaces.
Reasons for Refusal
1. The proposal, by reason of its layout, detailed design and proposed method of operation, would represent an unneighbourly form of development that would result in undue noise and general disturbance and a loss of privacy to the detriment of the residential amenity of the occupiers of neighbouring properties. In this respect the applicant has failed to demonstrate compliance with Saved Policies 7 and 33 of the Unitary Development Plan: Policies saved beyond 05 August 2010 and not superseded by the Local Development Framework Core Strategy January 2011.
2. The applicant has failed to provide sufficient details regarding the operation and management of the proposed student accommodation, including communal area and outdoor spaces, in order for the Local Planning Authority to make a full and comprehensive assessment of the effects of the development on surrounding residential properties. In particular the submitted plans and supporting information fails to make provision for on – site supervision of the facility and other measures to mitigate identified harmful impacts on the amenity of adjoining residential properties by reason of noise and general disturbance and loss of privacy. In this respect the applicant has failed to demonstrate compliance with Saved Policies 7 and 33 of the Unitary Development Plan: Policies saved beyond 05 August 2010 and not superseded by the Local Development Framework Core Strategy January 2011.
However, on the council web site it also adds this…
NOTES TO APPLICANTS
1. With respect to reason for refusal no. 2, the applicant is advised that the Local Planning Authority would not support the change of use of the site to student accommodation (Sui Generis) without a comprehensive and robust management plan in place to address identified residential amenity concerns relating to noise, general disturbance and loss of privacy. This should incorporate suitable office and accommodation facilities for an on – site supervisor/manager on a 24 hour basis.