Agenda item

Planning Reference – P151919

The documents associated with this application can be found at:-

http://planning.aberdeencity.gov.uk/PlanningDetail.asp?ref=151919

Planning Officer – Alex Ferguson

The Committee had before it a report by the Interim Head of Planning and Sustainable Development, which recommended:-

That the Committee approve the application for the change of use from a dwellinghouse to a six bedroom house in multiple occupation, retrospectively, subject to the following conditions:-

(1) A scheme for the storage of waste generated by the occupants of the HMO shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the planning authority within 2 months of the issue of the decision for the application.  Thereafter the development shall be carried out in accordance with the details so agreed and the HMO shall not be occupied unless waste storage provision has been provided and is available for use – In order to preserve the existing amenity of the area.

INFORMATIVES

Waste Services Comments

The 6 residents will require the following facilities:

• An additional 240l wheeled general waste bin
• An additional 240l wheeled food waste/ food waste bin.  In addition another kitchen caddy will be supplied for food waste
• An additional black box and white bag for recycling (Paper/Cardboard, Plastic Bottles, Tins, Cans and Glass jars and bottles).  Please note that the black box and white bag will be swapped for 1 x 240litre recycling wheeled bin from 2017.

Please note that levels of provision may alter in line with changing service requirements across the city that corresponds to alterations in legislation.  For example, recycling systems may be altered to accommodate co-mingled collections in due course. 

It is pertinent to note that these services will be provided taking account of the following:

General points

• All the wheeled bins and black boxes/white bags must be presented at the kerbside of only on the collection day and removed from the kerbside as soon as possible.  No containers should be permanently stored on the kerbside. 
• No excess should be stored out with the containment provided.  Information for extra waste uplift is available to residents at either www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/wasteaware or by phoning 08456 08 09 19.
• A path should be provided to the vehicle collection point which is level with bin stores.  Pathways to the collection vehicles should be free of obstacles with provision of a slope should there be any gradient; so that any containment can be easily moved to the kerbside on collection days.  Pathways should be suitably paved to allow bins to be moved safely.

In respect of any construction site signage it is important to note that in the interests of public safety, it is illegal to advertise on public highways, street furniture and lampposts.  Any signage installed to direct visitors to the development requires to be authorised by the Planning Department.  Anything installed out-with such approval could be classed as fly-posting and will incur action by Environment Officers.

Developers must contact Aberdeen City Council using the above details a minimum of two months before properties will be occupied.  Bins MUST be on site prior to residents moving into properties.  A purchase order can be raised with Aberdeen City Council using the above details.  We will provide guidance in purchasing the bins.

It might be pertinent nearer the final stages of completion for a representative from Aberdeen City Council’s waste team to assess the site to ensure that all of our considerations have been implemented.  This will be undertaken by the Recycling Officer for that area.  I ask that you contact us with a suitable date and time in the future. 

Members then asked a number of questions in regards to the application.  Andrew Miller spoke in furtherance of the report and answered member’s questions in this regard.

Councillor Donnelly moved, seconded by Councillor Corall:-

That the application be approved in accordance with the recommendation set out in the report.

Councillor Boulton moved as an amendment, seconded by Councillor Cooney:-

That the application be refused on the grounds that the proposal is considered to result in an adverse impact on the amenity of the area, involving the loss of a domestic-scale residential use in favour of a more intensive occupancy of a commercial nature, contrary to Policy H1 (Residential Areas) of the Aberdeen Local Development Plan.  The proposal is also considered to exacerbate an existing overprovision of such properties within the surrounding area, contrary to the relevant guidance in the Householder Development Guide supplementary guidance.

On a division, there voted:- for the motion (8) – Councillors Corall, Donnelly, Hutchison, Lawrence, Malik, Nicoll, Jennifer Stewart and Sandy Stuart; for the amendment (8) – the Vice Convener and Councillors Boulton, Cooney, Cormie, Greig, Jaffrey, Jean Morrison and Thomson.

There being an equality of votes, in terms of Standing Order 15 (5), the Vice Convener exercised his casting vote in favour of the amendment.

The Committee resolved:-

to adopt the amendment and therefore refuse the application.