Agenda item

Proposal Description: Item 7: Change of use from former public house to residential. Demolition of 20^th Century portion of the building. Two storey extension and refurbishment to create 6no one-bedroom flats with associated bin and cycle storage. 

The application was introduced. During public participation, Quentin Brook spoke in objection to the application and Martyn Wiltshire, Deborah Sunley and Simon Maggs (Winchester City Council) spoke in support of the application and answered Members’ questions thereon.

Councillor Reach spoke as Ward Member. In summary, Councillor Reach raised the following points:

·       Spoke in support of the application. Visited the Corner House in December 2014 and by this time the pub had turned into a café, bar and restaurant. Since this time the venue has been derelict for a few years.

·       The provision of six small one bed units at the correct price point is something that is desperately needed in the city and new residents would have access to several good public houses in the vicinity.

·       In conclusion, he stated that the transformation of this site that had been derelict for some years into six modest dwellings gave the opportunity for people to relocate to the area and offered the type of accommodation that was much needed in this location and brings a derelict building back into use.

Councillor Westwood spoke as contiguous Ward Member and Cabinet Member for Housing. In summary, Councillor Westwood raised the following points:

·       Spoke in support of the application and made reference to the proposed change of use, what should the building be used for and turning a neglected building back into a valuable asset.

·       Keen to return great pubs back into use. However, this venue was more a café/restaurant and where people go to light meals rather than a traditional pub and had not been used as such for a long period of time, therefore he was not surprised when The Corner House closed more than five years ago.

·       The officer’s report was clear that the marketing carried out by Savills was of a sufficient period to be able to demonstrate that there was no viable interest in the premises as a hospitality of retail event, this included a significant reduction in price during the period The Corner House was being marketed.

·       In the vicinity and city area there were 112 similar outlets, with a wide and varying food/drink offer.

·       The council purchased the building after it became clear there was no appetite to reopen it as a hospitality venue. Therefore, the intention is to use The Corner House to add badly needed additional affordable housing in the city area.

·       With 1,500 people on the Hampshire Home Choice register waiting to move into affordable homes – the waiting times for affordable one bed homes were currently between 8 months to 18 months and there was real un-met demand for this type of accommodation.

·       The proposed change of use was supported by Winchester City Trust and turned a neglected building into a valuable asset whilst maintaining its historic features.

·       The fabric of the building upgraded to deliver high thermal efficiency, without the use of fossil fuels for heating with use of solar PV and air source heating delivering low carbon footprint accommodation and was adequately supported by public transport facilities.

In response to questions regarding the change of use, the council’s Senior Planning and Litigation Lawyer clarified policy CP6 and made reference to the point of ‘need’, also set out within the report. 

The Committee proceeded to ask questions and debate the application.

RESOLVED:

The committee agreed to grant permission for the reasons and subject to the conditions and informatives set out in the Report.