A vacant former church in Netherfield will be converted into 13 one-bedroom apartments expected to be used as supported living accommodation.
A new floor will be created in the former Netherfield Methodist Church, on Victoria Road, to create the new flats, while internal and external communal space, a staff office and storage for bins and bicycles will be created.
It is expected the upgraded facility will be used as supported living accommodation for people who meet the criteria for this assistance, although planning documents confirm they could also be sold on the open market.
Members of Gedling Borough Council’s planning committee approved the plans, put forward by applicant Hockley Developments Ltd, during a meeting this week.
Mike Avery, head of development and place, presented the plans to the meeting. He said:”[Planning policies state] applications for development on community facilities, including places of worship, will not be granted permission unless they meet particular criteria.
“The requirements of the policy have been considered and are deemed to be met.
“I wanted to specifically highlight the St George’s Community Centre is situated in close proximity to the site and provides alternative provision with sufficient capacity.
“The building is currently vacant and has been so for a significant period of time. It’s of some architectural merit and very minor alterations are proposed for the conversion.”
He added car parking for the development is below proposed standards, at six spaces, but said weight was given to the building’s close location to Netherfield town centre shops and Victoria Retail Park.
“There are a number of amenities within walking distance from the application site and it is on a bus route,” he added.
“I’m mindful of the nature of the development, which is supported living accommodation where occupants are perhaps not as likely to have access to a vehicle.”
He told the meeting that Section 106 planning obligation contributions from the developer are being requested, including £8,825 for bus stop improvements.
No affordable housing is proposed under the plans because it is supported living accommodation, which has a “specific exemption” under national planning guidelines.
The meeting heard nine letters of representation against the plans with all objecting to the proposals.
Concerns included a loss of privacy, security, an increase in noise, a risk of the building being demolished, a lack of parking, road congestion, highway safety, pedestrian safety and anti-social behaviour.
But the authority’s plan was recommended for approval by Mr Avery and his department before ultimately being given the green light in Wednesday’s planning committee meeting.
Councillor Peter Barnes (Lab), who represents Daybrook, welcomed the plans.
He said: “This sort of development is what we need in the community in a place where you don’t need your private transport.
“There’s quite a good bus service in Netherfield, it’s right near the shops, near the community, the social and voluntary activity and it’s for some of these people who need help.
“This gives them a bit more policy in life where they can live on their own and be their own individual for a bit.”
But Cllr Mike Adams, who represents Trent Valley and is the leader of the Conservative group, said: “There’s no guarantee this is going to be a supported living site.
“It begs the question that, knowing the difficulties residents have with parking in Netherfield on these tight streets with tight roads and many terraced properties, why we’re going against our own parking policy.
“I don’t get it and I don’t understand why we have a policy if we’re not prepared to follow it.”
