Agenda item

Conversion of office to form 11no. apartments with associated external works and landscaping, including 2no. additional windows, new roof lights, new ramped access and refuse/bicycle store. [Guildhall Ward]

Members considered an application to convert Church House, formerly used as an office, to 11 apartments with associated external works and landscaping, including 2 additional windows, new roof lights, new ramped access and refuse/bicycle store.

The Development Manager gave a presentation on the application.

Public Speakers

Johnny Hayes, a local resident, spoke in support of the application and welcomed the affordable housing.  He raised some general concerns regarding Section 106 agreements and highlighted Financial Viability Assessments as a particular area for concern, he requested that these were examined more widely by a Scrutiny Committee or the Audit and Governance Committee.

Alexander McCallion, the applicant, spoke in support of the application.  He explained that the Church House development was part of the emerging plan to provide income for the Minster to help offset the day to day running costs.  He highlighted the affordable housing element of the plans and that there would be no holiday lets in the development.

Following Members questions, it was noted that:

·        Tenancy agreements would last for 3 years.

·        That there were plans for a future development that would include holiday lets.

·        The rent set for the affordable units would be controlled by City of York Council (CYC), there would be no service charge on these units.

The Development Manager provided an update to Members outlining the additional consultation responses relating to education and lifelong learning and leisure.  Two additional representations had also been received, one requesting a condition that would prevent holiday letting of the apartments and the other regarding the lack of an affordable housing contribution as per the original report of January 2022.  Open space contributions were considered reasonable and necessary and could be secured through a Section 106 planning obligation totalling £11,124.

Following debate, Cllr Crawshaw moved approval of the application. This was seconded by Cllr Daubeney.  Members voted unanimously in favour of the motion and it was therefore:

Resolved:            To APPROVE the application subject to the completion of a Section 106 agreement and the conditions as set out in the Officer’s report.

Reason:              The proposal was for the change of use of Church House from offices to 11no. flats with external alterations in the form of replacement windows, new ramped access, car park suitable for two electric vehicles and bin and cycle store. The revised proposals were found to be in accordance with the Submission Draft Neighbourhood Plan which identified Church House for residential use. The design was appropriate and picked up on the character of the building and the part of The Minster Precinct and secured a good level of amenity for future residents both in terms of the conversion and external space. No harm had been identified to any designated heritage asset. Affordable housing was provided in accordance with the

NPPF and policy H10.  The proposals were thus found to be in accordance with sections 5, 12 and 16 in the NPPF 2021. The scheme was also in accordance with D2 Landscape and setting, D4 Conservation Areas, D5 Listed Buildings and D11 on alterations to existing buildings in the Publication Draft Local Plan 2018. Finally it was also found to be in accordance with the Draft York Minster Precinct Neighbourhood Plan (April 2021).