Agenda item

This application was for a full planning application and change of use of the former college (use class F1(a)) into supported accommodation consisting of 28no. self-contained units with associated staff facilities (use class sui generis) with associated internal and external alterations, including insertion of 2no. roof lights, 1no. window to rear elevation, replacement of existing boarding, installation of new disabled access ramp and handrails together with alteration to existing access on the Former New College Telford, King Street, Wellington, Telford, Shropshire

This application had been referred to the Planning Committee as the Council are the landowner.

Councillor G Cook withdrew from the meeting room during the committee’s consideration and determination of this application.

The Planning Officer explained that this application related to the change of use and conversion of the former New College building to short term supported accommodation for young people.  She clarified that New College was designated as a grade II listed building in 2020 and that all of the buildings over the wider site had been demolished with a scheme for that area being considered by the Council. She added that the proposed conversion would be used by homeless people and would be supported by the YMCA who would be operating the facility.  The proposal would enable the young people to have some stability in their life, take on the responsibility of being required to look after a property and pay rent and assist them with getting credit ratings to be able to move into the housing market.  A number of communal facilities would be available, such as a training room, laundry, cycle storage, charging points and garden areas.

The proposals would involve a number of external alterations to the building, such as the insertion of rooflights and 4 new windows, steps and handrails and CCTV cameras and cladding to the rear elevation following the removal of a large external link extension.  This would replace the temporary cladding installed after the demolition works. Internally, the building would be sub-divided to create the units.  In terms of impacts on the listed building, the proposals would be sympathetic to enable the retention of the historic features within the building. Ten parking spaces would be provided to the rear of the building which was considered by officers to be sufficient to meet the requirements of the residents.

No objections had been raised to the proposals by statutory consultees, the Town Council supported the scheme and it was recommended that planning permission and listed building consent be granted as set out in the agenda.

During the debate some Members mentioned that One Councillor mentioned that he had been a governor at the school for 12 years and that he welcomed the retention of the building and the conversion to this accommodation and whole heartedly commended his fellow members to support it. Other Members raised concerns that the frontage to the building was being kept and refuse lorry manoeuvres.

The Planning Officer confirmed that the whole building was listed so the frontage would remain and that there were restrictions on vehicular movements but that the refuse lorries would still operate within appropriate distances from the properties.

Upon being put to the vote it was, unanimously:

RESOLVED – that delegated authority be granted to the Development Management Service Delivery Manager to grant Full Planning Permission (with the authority to finalise any matter including conditions, or any later variations) subject to the conditions contained within the report.