Agenda item

Full Application - For the proposed change of use of former chapel to create ancillary living accommodation for Lawson Cottage and short stay holiday accommodation use at Elton Methodist Church, West End, Elton (NP/DDD/0125/0071/GG)

Minutes:

The Planning Officer informed Members that the previous application in 2015 to convert the chapel into holiday accommodation was refused as it had not been demonstrated that there was no longer a need for the chapel as a community service or facility and the development would have impacted on the neighbouring property.  Since then, the chapel had been purchased by the owners of the neighbouring property, who now wish to convert it to ancillary accommodation. The Officer then presented the report and outlined the reasons for refusal.

 

The following spoke under the public participation at meetings scheme:

 

·         Michele Cartwright, Supporter

·         Nick Marriott, Agent

 

Members considered that if the Chapel was put to a community use then it could have a considerable impact on the applicants own property.  The Planning Officer responded that the applicants would have bought their property in the knowledge that it was adjacent to a church which is its lawful use so the situation was existing.

 

Members agreed that there was a need to protect a community asset, however, the chapel hadn’t been used as a community asset for some time and the Parish Council were clear that they didn’t need another community facility.

 

Members were minded to approve subject to referral to the next Planning Committee in accordance with standing order 1.48 in order to consider impact to adopted policy, as an approval in this case would represent a departure from strategic policies.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That subject to a referral of the application under Standing Order 1.48, Members are minded to APPROVE the application subject to the following conditions:-

 

·         Standard Time Limit

·         In accordance with plans submitted

·         To agree the type, colour and position of the solar panels

·         Detail of replacement windows and doors to be submitted

·         Replacement colour of render to be agreed

·         Car parking space to be removed

·         Building to remain ancillary accommodation to Lawson Cottage

·         Occupancy condition of 28 days

·         Archaeology requirement

·         Removal of PD Rights

Supporting documents: