Issue - meetings

2 Public Speakers

          Ms Sharples – Councillor for Bognor Town Council

          Ms Ruth Harding – Agent

Temporary change of use from Care Home (C2) to temporary accommodation for seasonal agricultural workers for 12-month period (re-submission following BR/138/20/PL). This application is in CIL Zone 4 (Zero Rated) as 'other development’. Former Royal Bay Care Home, 86 Aldwick Road, Bognor Regis.

The Planning Officer presented the application to Members he advised that the proposal was for the change of use from a care home to a temporary accommodation for seasonal staff. He referred members to a previous application that had been refused previously advising that the refusal reasons where detailed in the report. He requested that on page 100 of the agenda that this application was for temporary use only. Furthermore, he advised that the need for this proposal was that recently a temporary accommodation site in Chichester, Bracklesham bay had closed increasing the need for accommodation for seasonal workers within the area. He confirmed that transport for the workers would be via the communal bus provided for by the employer, the pickup times are from 6:30am in the mornings and employees have been requested to wait at the inside pickup point so as not to cause any disturbance to neighbours.

          The Planning Officer was invited to comment on the points raised by the public speakers, he advised that health can be a material planning consideration, however the pandemic is clearly dealt with by other legislation and therefore should be considered appropriately by Members.

          The Members then took part in the debate where the following comments were made:

·       The growing need for C2 level care facilities had already been discussed earlier on in the meeting and based on that the discussion how can the Committee approve this application?

·       If the permission was given to approve this temporary license, when it comes up again, would the Committee not be able to reject it on the basis that it had been approved today?

·       How would any Complaints be dealt with and if a breach was found who would Police it?

The Planning Officer advised that if any complaints were received, they would be dealt with and investigated. If a breach was found to have be made the Council could issues a breach of conditions. However, he also stated that it would be in the applicant’s favour to ensure that their first 12 months were perfect with no issues reported.

The Committee

          RESOLVED

          That the application be approved subject to conditions