Agenda item

Tom Clark, Solicitor to the Council explained that this application is before the Committee as the Council is the land holder. He also noted that the use of the land is not for this Committee as the application only covers the change of use of the building.

Anna Tidey, Planning Officer, introduced the application, noting that the Agenda Update Sheet contains additional consultees and additional representations and that the application seeks a determination as to whether prior approval is required for the conversion of a 33 square metre Post Office (Class A1) into a one bed studio unit (Class C3 residential) at Stone Quarry Post Office, off Hollands Way in East Grinstead. The proposed studio flat would provide a shared bedroom/living space with a separate kitchen and shower room. The application is being reported to committee as MSDC is the landowner. She noted that planning permission is not required when uses fall within the same class, or under the general permitted order, where a change of use is permitted from A1 to C3 for units up to 150sqm², subject to a prior approval process.

Councillor Julie Mockford, Ward member and on behalf of East Grinstead of Town Council, spoke against the application. She noted that the application does not comply with DP25 strategic objective 12 and that the post office is a vital community facility, purpose built as a community building applicable of protection under the DP25 policy.

Councillor Liz Bennet, Ward Member, spoke that the post office it is a necessity, and plays a service to elderly residents and has high social value.

Steve Ashdown, Team Leader for Major Development & Investigations, explained that  under the prior approval process, District Plan policies (DP25) and the neighbourhood plan are not a material considerations. He noted as there are no external changes to the building and given the adequate provision of A1 units within the area, the application is deemed to be acceptable in accordance with the prior approval process.

The Chairman noted that the Members must stick to the application as it was before the Committee.

Members discussed what could be considered when judging the application and discussed the flaws of the application including the final design and issues surrounding the space of the final dwelling.

The Solicitor to the Council explained that this was not part of the application and could not be considered.

A Member said that a similar application in Burgess Hill had previously been rejected and noted the poor design of the dwelling.

The Team Leader for Major Development & Investigations, noted that if this was a full planning application the considerations would extend to these features, however, due to the application being one of prior approval this was not within the criteria.

The Chairman took Members to the recommendation to approve the application, which was proposed by Councillor Coe-Gunnell White and seconded by Councillor MacNaughton. The application was approved with 9 votes for and 2 against.

RESOLVED

Prior approval for the proposed change of use should be granted subject to the conditions listed at Appendix A and the Agenda Update Sheet.