The Area Planning Committee (Central and East) was scheduled to consider a range of planning applications, including changes of use for residential properties to Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) and the construction of a new garage. The committee was also scheduled to review proposals for extensions and alterations to existing dwellings.

Applications to be Determined by the Area Planning Committee (Central and East)

The committee was scheduled to consider four planning applications.

27 St Bede's Close, Crossgate Moor, Durham, DH1 4AA

This application was scheduled to consider a change of use for a three-bedroom dwellinghouse (Use Class C3) to a three-bedroom House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) (Use Class C4). The proposal also included provision for cycle parking and bin storage. The report pack indicated that the City of Durham Parish Council had requested the application be brought before the committee due to concerns about the principle of development, its impact on community balance, parking, highway safety, and residential amenity. A total of 11 objections were received, primarily raising concerns about the concentration of HMOs, loss of family homes, and potential impacts on residential amenity, highway safety, and parking. The report pack recommended approval, subject to conditions.

Second Floor, 58-62 North Road, Durham, DH1 4SQ

This application was scheduled to consider the change of use and extension of a redundant lift shaft, lift access, lift motor room, and storage area at the rear second-floor level of 58-62 North Road to a four-bedroom C4 HMO. The City of Durham Parish Council had requested the application be considered by the committee due to concerns regarding the application of Policy 16.3 of the County Durham Plan (CDP) and conflict with Policy 31 of the CDP due to the potential impact of HMO use on neighbouring residents' amenity. Three representations were received, raising concerns about the design, access arrangements, and impacts on residential amenity. The report pack recommended approval, subject to conditions and the completion of a Section 106 obligation for a financial contribution towards open space provision.

14 Grays Terrace, Durham, DH1 4AU

The committee was scheduled to consider an application to demolish an existing dilapidated timber garage and construct a larger, brick-built detached double garage. The City of Durham Parish Council objected to the proposal, citing concerns about its impact on the World Heritage Site (WHS) and the Conservation Area, arguing it would block a view of the WHS. The Parish Council also requested a condition to restrict the garage's use to ancillary storage. The report pack recommended approval, subject to conditions, including a restriction on the use of the garage.

6 High Wood Terrace, Durham, DH1 3DS

This application was scheduled to consider a first-floor rear extension over an existing kitchen offshoot to create two shower rooms, along with associated internal alterations to the existing six-bedroom C4 HMO. The City of Durham Parish Council and the City of Durham Trust had objected, raising concerns about the principle of development and residential amenity. They argued that the proposal could facilitate an additional bedspace, potentially exceeding the 10% threshold for Class N exempt C4 properties within a 100-metre radius, and raised concerns about compliance with Nationally Described Space Standards (NDSS). The report pack recommended approval.