Site address:                      46 and 47 St Clement's Street, Oxford, OX4 1AG

Proposal:                             Amalgamation of No 46 St Clements (currently a C4 House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) in use as student accommodation) and No 47 St Clements (currently a large HMO (sui generis) in use as student accommodation) to form one property in use as sui generis student accommodation.  Demolition of existing single storey rear extensions and erection of a new single storey rear extension, replacement windows and existing render to be repainted. Erection of single storey extension to existing outbuilding. Alterations to roof and installation of roof mounted photovoltaic panels to existing outbuilding. Insertion of windows and provision of access to first floor, re-render existing brickwork and installation of timber cladding to existing outbuilding. Provision of bin and cycle store and formation of access from Caroline Street. (Amended Description).             

Reason at Committee:     The application has been called into Committee at the request of Councillors Hayes, Clarkson, Rowley, Tanner and Azad due to concerns relating to the use of the site, amenities provided and impact on neighbouring amenity.

Recommendation:

The West Area Planning Committee is recommended to:

1.    approve the application for the reasons given in the report and subject to the required planning conditions set out in section 12 of thes report and grant planning permission.

2.    agree to delegate authority to the Head of Planning Services to:

a.    finalise the recommended conditions as set out in the report including such refinements, amendments, additions and/or deletions as the Head of Planning Services considers reasonably necessary.

The Committee considered an application (19/02749/FUL) for planning permission to amalgamate No. 46 (currently a C4 House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) in use as student accommodation) and No. 47 St Clement’s Street (currently a large HMO (sui generis)) in use as student accommodation) to form one property in use as sui generis student accommodation. Demolition of existing single storey extensions and replacement with 1no. single storey rear extension. Single storey side extension and alterations to the existing outbuilding to the rear. The scheme would provide bin and cycle storage and a relocated access from Caroline Street. 

The application has been called into Committee at the request of Councillors Hayes, Clarkson, Rowley, Tanner and Azad due to concerns relating to the use of the site, amenities provided and impact on neighbouring amenity.

The Planning Officer presented the report.

The Committee noted that the accommodation allocated to the caretaker was intended for occasional use only.

The Committee expressed some concerns over the proposed “blind door” to the front elevation of No. 46 noting that in order to preserve the appearance of the streetscene it was essential that this was equipped with the appropriate door furnishings (letter box, knocker) and that any landscaping to the front of the property was also in keeping. The Planning Officer gave assurances that these points would be addressed through Condition 3.

In reaching its decision, the Committee considered all the information put before it.

After debate and on being proposed, seconded and put to the vote, the Committee agreed with the officer’s recommendation to approve the application.

The West Area Planning Committee resolved to:

1.     approve the application for the reasons given in the report and subject to the 14 required planning conditions set out in section 12 of the report and grant planning permission.

2.     agree to delegate authority to the Head of Planning Services to:

·       finalise the recommended conditions as set out in the report including such refinements, amendments, additions and/or deletions as the Head of Planning Services considers reasonably necessary.

Councillors Hollingsworth and Upton left the meeting at the end of this item.