Agenda item

The fourth and final application of the evening was introduced, application number WL/2025/01017, for change of use of part of first floor from commercial (Use Class E) to residential (Use Class C3a) to form 2no. additional flats, with new external stairs and external alterations to first and ground floor, at 5 Oxford Street, Market Rasen, LN8 3AL. Members received a short presentation, hearing there were no updates and the application was before the committee as it did not meet the requirements for the provision of car parking spaces.

The Chairman welcomed the registered speaker, Kate Kelly, agent for the applicant, and invited her to speak.

Ms Kelly thanked the Chairman and provided some background to the application, explaining that the building had been vacant for eight years, and was in a bad state of repair. She highlighted that the owners were undertaking significant work to bring the building back into use and to improve the appearance of it on what was a very busy corner in the town centre. The existing layout was as a two bedroom flat which had been used as overspill and storage for the previous commercial business which had occupied the ground floor. The ground floor was now a dental surgery, with the proposal to convert the upstairs space into three flats being a sustainable approach to using the space. She acknowledged the application had been referred as there would be no designated parking, however she highlighted the town centre location, the proximity to local shops and amenities, as well as bus stops and the train station. She highlighted the vast improvement to the building and the benefits the conversion would bring to the area, respectfully requesting the approval of the committee.

The Chairman thanked Ms Kelly for her comments and invited comments from the committee. Members were in full agreement as to the amelioration of the building in the town centre and recognised the need for single bedroom residences. It was acknowledged that the lack of parking was unfortunate, however not unexpected in such a location, and overall not an insurmountable problem for those who would reside in the flats.

With Members reiterating their support for the proposal, and on being proposed and seconded, the Chairman took the vote and it was unanimously agreed that permission be GRANTED subject to the following conditions:

Conditions stating the time by which the development must be commenced:

1. The development hereby permitted shall be begun before the expiration of three years from the date of this permission.

Reason: To conform with Section 91 (1) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended).

Conditions which apply or require matters to be agreed before the development commenced:

None.

Conditions which apply or are to be observed during the course of the development:

2. With the exception of the detailed matters referred to by the conditions of this consent, the development hereby approved shall be carried out in accordance with the following drawings and documents: 762.04D dated 23/09/2025, 762.13A dated 23/09/2025, 762.14A dated 23/09/2025, 762.11A dated 23/09/2025 and 762.01B (Red Line) dated 23/09/2025.The works shall be carried out in accordance with the details shown on the approved plans and in any other approved documents forming part of the application.

Reason: To ensure the development proceeds in accordance with the approved plans and to accord with the National Planning Policy Framework and Policy S53 of the Central Lincolnshire Local.

Conditions which apply or relate to matters which are to be observed following completion of the development:

None.