Agenda item

Site Visit: 2.05pm

The Committee considered the report of the Business Manager – Planning Development, which sought the change of use from a place of worship to a dwelling with a single storey side extension. 

A site visit had taken place prior to commencement of the Planning Committee, on the grounds that the impact of the proposed development was difficult to visualise.

Members considered the presentation from the Business Manager – Planning Development, which included photographs and plans of the proposed development.

The Business Manager – Planning Development read out a number of amendments to the ecology conditions contained within the report as follows:

-        Condition 15 to include additional wording for photographic evidence of the installed boxes and any other approved enhancements to be submitted to, and approved by, the Local Planning Authority.

-        Condition 19 to be amended to “No removal of hedgerows, trees or shrubs shall take place between 1st March and 31st August inclusive, unless a competent ecologist has undertaken a careful, detailed check of vegetation for active birds’ nests immediately before the vegetation is cleared and provided written confirmation that no birds will be harmed and/or that there are appropriate measures in place to protect nesting bird interest on site. Any such written confirmation should be submitted to the Local Planning Authority.”

-        Condition 22 to be amended to: “No work of any type involving the existing roof structure (including the belfry) shall in any circumstances commence unless the Local Planning Authority has been provided with, a confirmed receipt of either: A copy of a licence issued by Natural England, pursuant to Regulation 53 of The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010 authorizing the approved works to proceed; or a statement in writing from Natural England to the effect that it does not consider that the approved development requires a licence.”

-        Condition 23 amended: “The development shall be carried out in accordance with the bat mitigation strategy contained within the Bat Survey Report Revision B dated September 2024 by LM Ecology, or any amended version required by Natural England for the purpose of granting a European Protected Species Mitigation Licence, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The compensatory bat roost required as part of the mitigation strategy shall be provided prior to first occupation of the dwelling hereby approved and shall thereafter be retained for the lifetime of the development.”

-        Added to the informative note for BNG: “The Biodiversity Gain Plan should be submitted via the Planning Portal, as an application for approval of details reserved by condition following grant of planning permission. If the onsite habitat includes irreplaceable habitat (within the meaning of the Biodiversity Gain Requirements (Irreplaceable Habitat) Regulations 2024) there are additional requirements for the content and approval of Biodiversity Gain Plans.”

Mr  M Cooper, the applicant, spoke in support of the application.

Members considered the application and commented that there would be a high degree of harm to the listed building. The scope of changes to the interior were alarming and the removal of the three stained glass windows was regrettable.  The challenge to preserve the building for the future was vital and if the application was refused what would the building be used for. It was recognised that heritage harm could be balanced against the benefits of bringing the building back into use.   

It was commented that if Collingham Parish Council were allowed to have a look inside the building that would help them with their knowledge of the building.

Concern was raised regarding the bats and the loss of trees to gain access to the building.  The Business Manager – Planning Development confirmed that the retention of the trees was important, and discussions had taken place with the applicant to minimise the loss of trees on site.  The engineering element however was difficult to construct the entrance without some tree removal.  A small roost of bats had been found in the small belfry.  One bat entrance tile was to be included on the south facing roof to compensate for the lost roost and two surface mounted bat boxes in the east and west gables of the conversion were proposed and two tree mounted bird boxes were to be installed within the site.

AGREED          (with 11 votes For and 1 Abstention) that Planning                                                  Permission be approved subject to the conditions contained within                         the report as amended in line with changes proposed to conditions                         15, 19, 22 and 23, and to the informatives as reported by the Business                         Manager - Planning Development.