Item 7 - Update on Planning application DC23.227.FUL
West Dunbartonshire Council · 12 February 2025
Back to Planning Committee — 12 February 2025 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
Page 1
WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE COUNCIL Report by Planning, Building Standards and Environmental Health Manager Planning Committee: 12th February 2025 _____________________________________________________________ Subject: Planning application DC23/227/FUL – Change of use from beauty salon to three residential flats at nos. 4 - 6 Greenhead Road, Dumbarton, G82 1EL by Mr Sodhi Sing. 1. Purpose The purpose of this report is to update the Committee of the position relating to the above planning application which was referred to the Scottish Ministers following Committee determining it was minded to grant planning permission. 2. Recommendations 2.1 It is recommended that the Committee note the decision. 3. Background 3.1 Planning application DC23/227/FUL considered a proposal for change of use from beauty salon to three residential flats at nos. 4 - 6 Greenhead Road, Dumbarton. The Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) objected to the proposal on flood risk grounds This was because SEPA considered the proposed development would result in an increased land use vulnerability in an area which is anticipated to be at high risk of fluvial flooding. SEPA further considered there would be an increase in the number of vulnerable receptors occupying the area overnight and an increase in flood risk overall. A comprehensive flood risk assessment considering a variety of scenarios was also identified as being required. 3.2 In considering the application, the proposal was supported by the land use policies in both the adopted and proposed Plans. The proposal would also return the upper floor of the building to residential use, as it was prior to the change of use granted planning permission in 2002. As the redevelopment of vacant properties and enabling of a variety of residential developments is supported by both national and local planning policy, the proposal was welcomed and was considered to provide an effective use of a vacant property and its reintroduction to the housing stock. However, SEPA were clear in their concerns regarding the change in land use vulnerability and that the proposal will result in the introduction of properties with overnight accommodation. Conversely, the proposal related to an existing building with no external changes proposed. The building was also considered to be at no more risk from flooding that it is currently and with no external alterations or increase in building footprint, there was no prospect that the development would increase flood risk elsewhere. The site also lies within an established residential area with surrounding residential buildings also being at risk of flooding. The benefit of redevelopment of a vacant property along with the housing stock benefit was considered to outweigh the flooding concerns which formed the basis of SEPA’s objection. 3.3 In considering this application, Members noted there was no objection from the Council as local flood authority. Informed by the submitted supporting statement and lack of objection from the local flood authority, it was concluded that, in accordance with the Officer’s assessment of the application, whilst in the event of flooding an ITEM 7
Page 2
island of development would result in terms of the proposal (i.e. the proposed flats would be surrounded by flood water, but likely not flooded themselves), this situation would be no different to when the upper floor of the building was previously in use as residential flats. Furthermore, it is anticipated that this would be no different from all other upper floor properties within the vicinity during a flood event. Whilst overnight accommodation will be re-established within the building, the increase of those residents potentially at risk of flooding within the wider area would be negligible. It was also noted that the proposal would result in a lesser number of bedrooms in total across the flats than previously existed prior to the change of use away from residential in 2002 (six previously with four now proposed). Committee therefore determined that they were minded to grant planning permission in line with the Officer’s recommendation. 4. Main Issues 4.1 Following consideration by Committee on 11th December 2024, the planning application was notified to the Scottish Ministers under the Town and Country Planning (Notification of Applications) (Scotland) Direction 2009. 4.2 The Scottish Ministers advised that it was not their intention to intervene in this application by either issuing a direction restricting the granting of consent, or by calling in the application for their own determination. Accordingly, the Council has now been able to grant planning permission in accordance with the Committee’s decision. 5. People Implications 5.1 There are no people implications associated with this report. 6. Financial and Procurement Implications 6.1 There are no financial or procurement issues associated with this report. 7. Risk Analysis 7.1 There are no risks associated with this report. 8. Equalities Impact Assessment (EIA) 8.1 There are no equalities issues associated with this report. 9. Consultation 9.1 Consultation was undertaken during the consideration of the planning application. 10. Strategic Assessment 10.1 The Council’s decision on these planning applications is considered to have been consistent with the following strategic priorities: Our Economy – Strong and Flourishing; Our Environment – A Greener Future; and Our Communities – Resilient and Thriving.
Page 3
Michael Mulgrew Planning, Building Standards and Environmental Health Manager Date: 12th February 2025 Person to Contact: Michael Mulgrew, Planning & Building Standards Manager Email: Michael.Mulgrew@west-dunbarton.gov.uk James McColl, Development Management Team Leader Email: James.McColl@west-dunbarton.gov.uk Appendices: None Background Papers: 1. Report to Planning Committee 11th December 2024 - Planning application DC23/227/FUL - Change of use from beauty salon to three residential flats at nos. 4 - 6 Greenhead Road, Dumbarton, G82 1EL by Mr Sodhi Sing. 2. DPEA Case Record - https://www.dpea.scotland.gov.uk/CaseDetails.aspx?ID=12583 9 Wards Affected: Ward 3 (Dumbarton)