Birmingham City Council Planning Committee 26 November 2015 I submit for your consideration the attached reports for the South team. Recommendation Report No. Application No / Location / Proposal Approve - Conditions 8 2015/04146/PA Oasis Church Centre Lee Crescent Edgbaston Birmingham B15 2BJ Erection of single storey extensions to church building Approve - Conditions 9 2015/07356/PA St Andrews Healthcare and Land at the River Rea Corridor Dogpool Lane Stirchley Birmingham B30 2XR Outline application for class C2 and D1 Health care development (maximum 18,280 sqm Gross Internal Area) (including demolition of some existing buildings), with associated parking and external works, including flood defence works. All matters reserved. Defer – Informal Approval 10 2015/05822/PA Land Adjacent To The Goose At The OVT 561 Bristol Road Selly Oak Birmingham B29 6AF Erection of student accommodation for 63 no. residents in studios/study bedrooms, with associated shared facilities in 4 no. blocks, with 1 no. retail unit (A1, A2 or A3) use on Bristol Road frontage and associated external works. Page 1 of 3 Director of Planning and Regeneration Approve - Conditions 11 2015/04534/PA Caynham Road - Land at Bartley Green Birmingham B32 4EU Erection of 18 new build 2, 3 and 4 bedroom dwellings with associated external works and landscaping. Defer– Informal Approval 12 2015/05457/PA 1650 Pershore Road Stirchley Birmingham B30 3BZ Demolition of existing foundry buildings and erection of 9 no. two bedroom apartments, 11 no. two bedroom dwellings and 8 no. three bedroom dwellings with associated access, landscaping and car parking Defer – Informal Approval 13 2015/06760/PA Birmingham City University City South Campus Westbourne Road Birmingham B15 3TN Erection of new four storey education building together with associated access, car parking and landscaping. Defer – Informal Approval 14 2015/03516/PA Land adjacent 230-234 Longbridge Lane Northfield Birmingham B31 4RD Erection of 6 one-bed and 3 two-bed apartments to house clients with mild to moderate learning disabilities (Use Class C2) Page 2 of 3 Director of Planning and Regeneration Approve - Conditions 15 2015/05655/PA 57 Knightlow Road Harborne Birmingham B17 8PX Erection of first floor and two storey side and rear extension and single storey rear and front extension Approve - Conditions 16 2015/08027/PA 5 Hartswell Drive Kings Heath Birmingham B13 0PE Erection of first floor side and single storey rear extension. Page 3 of 3 Director of Planning and Regeneration Committee Date: 26/11/2015 Application Number: 2015/04146/PA Accepted: 30/07/2015 Application Type: Full Planning Target Date: 24/09/2015 Ward: Edgbaston Oasis Church Centre, Lee Crescent, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2BJ Erection of single storey extensions to church building Applicant: Oasis Church Centre Lee Crescent, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2BJ Agent: Iain Denton Ltd 41 Four Ashes Road, Knowle, Solihull, B93 8LY Recommendation Approve Subject To Conditions 1. Proposal 1.1. This application seeks consent for the erection of single storey extensions to this existing church building. The extensions would provide a larger main hall and extended reception area. 1.2. The church works in partnership with the UK Border Agency by holding church services for asylum seekers resident at a nearby hostel. The church currently accommodates some 100 attendees per service and it states it does not currently intend to increase this number as part of this proposal, instead the extension would allow a less congested space. 1.3. The church welcomes asylum seekers to attend services offering both a meeting place and spiritual guidance to the congregation, providing a social function. The church operates services on Sundays (10:30 – 13:00), Tuesdays Prayer Meeting (19:30-21:00), Wednesdays and Thursday bible study (19:00 – 21:00). One Saturday a month there is an evening dance and worship service. All services are overseen by the applicant as church leader. 1.4. The main extension to the church would extend off the south west (front) of the building and would continue the existing form (including pitched roof). It would measure 7.6m in height, 7m in depth and 8.2m in width and would be constructed from materials to match the existing with brickwork to walls and a tiled roof with plastic cladding panels to front of pitched roof. The proposed extension would result in the extension being set back 7.2m from pavement. 1.5. A single storey side extension on Lee Mount to the reception would measure 2.9m in height, 4.6m in depth (6.1m including covered porch) and 3.9m in width. The extended reception area would be constructed from materials to match and would continue the flat roof over the existing reception and office space. 1.6. The application has been subject to significant discussion between the Planning Authority and the applicant with changes being made to parking and design. With Page 1 of 8 respect to design, the original submission proposed a flat roof to the extended reception area. It was suggested that a pitched roof would be overall a more acceptable solution, however following concern from the Conservation Officer, a return to a flat roof was agreed. In terms of parking, an initial objection was received from Transportation and so seven spaces were then provided on-site. However a subsequent survey has revealed these spaces to be unnecessary and a return to no parking provision is now proposed. 1.7. The application is supported by • Parking Survey • Design and Access Survey Link to Documents 2. Site & Surroundings 2.1. The site is currently in use as a church located to the western end of Lee Crescent on the corner of Lee Mount 2.2. The site is located within a predominantly residential area with residences located to the South and west. To the north of the site is Lee Bank Middleway and to the east is an area of public space, this open space is in City ownership. 2.3. To the south of the site are a row of Grade II Listed Buildings on Lee Crescent 2.4. The site is located within the Lee Crescent Conservation Area. 2.5. No parking is currently available on the site. Lee Mount and Lee Crescent have unrestricted on street parking. Site Location Map 3. Planning History 3.1. 05/10/2007 – 2007/04978/PA – Erection of a single storey side extension to provide meeting room Approved-conditions 3.2. 04/12/2014 – Pre-application advice for erection of a single storey forward extension. Advised subject to design and parking being considered would be acceptable in principle. 4. Consultation/PP Responses 4.1. Regulatory Services – No objection 4.2. Transportation – No objection subject to conditions requiring the footway crossing to be constructed to City specification at the applicant’s expense, pedestrian visibility splays provision of details of materials and drainage. 4.3. West Midlands Police – No objection Page 2 of 8 4.4. Local occupiers, Ward Councillors, and Residents Associations notified, site notice displayed. 4.5. 13 letters received from local residents on the following grounds: • Existing parking difficulties on Lee Crescent • Increased parking demand • Access for larger vehicles such as emergency services or refuse collection can be blocked by excessive parking • Visual impact on the Listed Buildings located opposite • Poor quality addition within the Conservation Area, church is completely out of character with the locality; • Loss of open space • Perception of being a non-inclusive use (run for benefit of asylum seekers only) • Noise disturbance to residents • Increased anti-social behaviour • Overly large attendance at the site 4.6. Included in the objections some matters of support were also raised which included: • Design of the extension • Considered local context in terms of materials • Positive work of the church in assisting asylum seekers 4.7. Councillor Matt Bennett and Councillor Fergus Robinson added their support to the responses received from local residents. 4.8. Councillor Deidre Alden commented that there is a notable parking problem and requested her objection to the proposal be noted. 4.9. Gisela Stuart MP noted objections had been received by her office relating to parking and anti-social behaviour problems. 4.10. Following an initial objection from Transportation concerning parking, an amended plan was received which showed a provision of 7 spaces on-site and so further consultation was subsequently carried out. 12 addition responses were received, which mainly repeated previous comments, but also stated: • Net gain/loss of spaces would be of little value; • Loss of trees; • Lee Crescent is the last remaining (and listed) Georgian Terrace in Birmingham but its setting and views would be spoilt by the development; • Concern that church has become a community centre falling within Use Class D2 • Fear of crime from attendees of the church (previously noted under ‘antisocial behaviour’) • Queried whether the green space is listed in Public Commons record • Potential archaeological remains 5. Policy Context 5.1. The following local policies are applicable: Page 3 of 8 • Birmingham UDP (2005) • Draft Birmingham Development Plan • Places For All (2001) • Edgbaston Conservation Area Character Appraisal • Places of Worship and Faith-Related Community and Educational Uses (2012) The following national policies are applicable: • National Planning Policy Framework 6. Planning Considerations 6.1. The main issues of consideration relate to the the design and scale of the proposed extension on the existing church building and Listed Buildings opposite and the Conservation Area, and the impact on highway safety and free flow of traffic. Design and Scale and Amenity and Heritage Character 6.2. The proposed development would increase the floor space of the church by some 74 sqm and would provide a larger main hall and increased space for the main reception area.