Agenda item

Ward: Rushey Mead

Proposal: Construction of Single Storey Temporary Building at Front of Surgery (Class D1)

Applicant: Dr B Modi

The Planning Officer presented the report and drew Members’ attention to the supplementary report, which set out representations received in support of the application.

Dr Modi, the applicant, addressed the Committee and spoke in support of the application. 

Councillor Willmott, then addressed the Committee as a Ward Councillor, and spoke in support of the application.

Members considered the report and supplementary report, and officers responded to the comments and queries raised.

Members of the Committee agreed that space already available at the surgery premises was very restricted.  It therefore would not be possible to find the additional space needed as a result of social distancing requirements arising from the current Covid-19 epidemic.  This meant that the surgery could not provide adequate waiting room accommodation, which would be particularly problematic as this winter’s flu vaccination programme progressed.  Community health needs therefore could be considered to outweigh the visual and residential amenity impact of the temporary building in this instance.

Officers advised that, if permission was granted for a temporary building, this could not be for an undefined period and Members also should give consideration to whether any appropriate conditions should be applied.  It therefore was suggested that a period of 12 months could be appropriate, along with other conditions including use of the temporary building only in conjunction with the use of the existing surgery, removal of the temporary building and cessation of the temporary building, and relating any consent to the plans previously submitted.

Members suggested that, if it could be ensured that the temporary building would be removed after 12 months, consideration could be given to approving this application, contrary to the officer recommendation.  It was noted that, if such permission was granted, any extension of the temporary permission could only be considered if a formal application was received by the local planning authority.

The Chair therefore moved that, contrary to the officer recommendation, the application be approved subject to conditions requiring the site to be returned to its current condition within 12 months, allowing the temporary building to only be used in conjunction with the existing surgery, and requiring the temporary building to be in accordance with the plans already received by the local planning authority.  This was seconded by Councillor Halford and, upon being put to the vote, the motion to approve was CARRIED.

RESOLVED:

That, in view of social distancing requirements and restrictions introduced through the Coronavirus Act 2020 in response to the current Covid-19 pandemic, and the surgery’s limited accommodation, this application be approved contrary to the officer recommendation and subject to the conditions set out below:

              CONDITIONS

1.               The building shall be removed and the land restored to its former condition not later than 16 September 2021 unless consent for a further period of time has been granted before that date.  (The proposal does not represent a satisfactory form of permanent development)

2.           The building shall only be used for purposes related to the use of the site as a surgery.  (In the interests of the amenities of neighbouring occupiers and in accordance with Policy PS10 of the City of Leicester Local Plan)

3.           This consent shall relate solely to the submitted plans received by the City Council as local planning authority on 3 August 2020, unless otherwise submitted to and approved by the City Council as local planning authority.  (For the avoidance of doubt)