Agenda item

Extension of existing extra care facility to provide 29 apartments and 4 bungalows with associated communal facilities and provision of new multi-use community facility following demolition of existing community centre [Clifton Ward] [Site Visit]

Members considered a General Regulations (Reg3) application by City of York Council for the extension of an existing care facility to provide 29 apartments and 4 bungalows with associated communal facilities and a new multi use community facility following demolition of the existing community centre.

Officers provided clarification as part of their update to Members, on relevant policy issues, namely Policies HW1 (Protecting Existing Facilities) and HW3 (Built Sport Facilities) and the effect of these when considering the proposals.

They reported on further consultation responses received, advising that  Design, Conservation and Sustainable Development(Ecology) had confirmed they had no objections to the proposal. Highway Network Management  had also raised no objections to the proposal subject to a condition being included in relation to highway works.

Officers updated members on the outcome of the bat survey, which confirmed that there were no bats on site. Officers also informed members that there had been objections raised due to the loss of the gymnasium associated with the pre-WWII movement to improve physical health. Highways and Network management had suggested a traffic regulation order for the opposite street.

Alistair Mitchell, spoke on behalf of SPA Architects in support of the application. He explained that there was a lack of extra care services in the north of the city and that the extension was part of a wider CYC strategy to delay or even prevent elderly residents from entering the nursing / care home system. He explained that investigations had been made into keeping the gymnasium however the building was not fit for purpose and was expensive to run.

Members expressed concern at the loss of the historic gymnasium and questioned whether sufficient efforts had been made to retain the gymnasium. It was agreed that, subject to approval, a condition be added to ensure that the gymnasium building and its history were properly recorded. Members acknowledged, however, the need for extra care facilities in York which this proposal would provide.

Resolved:  That the application be approved subject to the conditions listed in the report, the additional condition detailed below in relation to highway works and a condition to ensure that a historic record of the gymnasium building was kept:

Additional Condition

The development hereby permitted shall not come into use until the following highway works (which definition shall include works associated with any Traffic Regulation Order required as a result of the development, signing, lighting, drainage and other related works) have been carried out in accordance with details which shall have been previously submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority, or arrangements entered into which ensure the same

Heavy duty dropped crossovers to car park areas, removal and reinstatement for redundant crossings installation of 2 new pairs of tactile crossing shown indicatively on site plan. Resurfacing of footway to full frontage of development to avoid patched appearance.

Reason:  In the interests of the safe and free passage of highway users.

Reason:     Concerns have previously been expressed in terms of the design and drainage layout of the scheme together with the loss of the existing gymnasium building. The design and drainage layout of the scheme has subsequently been amended and on balance are felt to be acceptable. At the same time a justification for removal of the gymnasium building outlining the substantial technical implications for the scheme of designing around the basement have been submitted. This is again felt on balance to be acceptable.