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Planning and Development Control Committee - Wednesday, 2 July 2025 5:30 pm

July 2, 2025 View on council website Watch video of meeting
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Summary

The Planning and Development Control Committee met to discuss two planning applications. Permission was refused for a change of use from a residential dwelling to a children's care home at 6 Green View, and for the demolition of a single-storey rear extension and change of use of a dwelling to a shop at 4-10 Macdonald Road.

Sixth Green View

The committee voted to refuse the application for a change of use at 6 Green View from a residential dwelling (C3) to a residential care home for up to four children (C2). Councillor Yasmin Surti, Chair of the Committee, said that the decision to refuse the application was based on concerns raised by committee members and residents, particularly regarding parking, safety, and the size of the garden.

The planning officer, Daniel Jones, presented the application, noting that it was for a change of use of the site to accommodate up to four children, with no internal or external alterations proposed. He stated that the application was recommended for conditional approval, and that an addendum had been completed with no amendments to the description or recommendation of the report.

Ian Cross, a resident of Green View, spoke against the application, raising concerns about parking, the character of the area, and privacy. He said:

This isn't going to be a formal policy heavy speech. It's about common sense from the hearts of the local community. And I hope you'll listen to what it feels like on the ground for those of us who live here.

Another resident, Mr Patel, questioned the applicant's credentials, describing them as a serial businessman with 13 recorded directorships, mainly in the fast food sector. Councillor Sood also spoke against the application, citing concerns about parking, the impact on the community, and the applicant's lack of experience in running care homes.

In response, the planning officer stated that issues relating to businesses and individuals were not for planning consideration, and that the management and operation of the home were matters for Ofsted1. He also clarified that, contrary to claims made by objectors, council records showed only one other similar use within 400 metres of the site.

Councillor Nigel Porter raised the point that the actual owner of the site was objecting to the planning application, which he felt made the exercise pointless. The planning officer clarified that anyone can apply for planning permission on a property, regardless of whether they own it or not, and that the planning permission goes with the property.

Councillor Dr Lynn Moore expressed concern about the applicant's credentials, but acknowledged that the planning department was constrained by planning regulations. She said that she could only express her own personal concerns as the application fitted planning regulations.

Councillor Raffiq Moosa Mohammed raised concerns about the size of the garden, parking, and waste disposal. He also noted that Green View was not listed on the highways plan, and questioned whether access to the back properties would be restricted if vehicles were not parked on the drive.

Councillor George Cole questioned whether someone with 13 company directorships could open a children's home. The planning officer responded that it was important not to base an assessment on allegations that could not be substantiated, and that the applicant had submitted a letter stating that they had 17 years' experience in care provision.

Councillor Surti summarised the concerns raised, and moved to reject the application based on concerns about amenities. She delegated the detailed reasons for refusal to officers, in consultation with herself and the Vice Chair. The motion was seconded by Councillor Mohammed and carried.

Four to Ten Macdonald Road

The committee voted to refuse the application for the demolition of a single-storey rear extension at number 10 Macdonald Road, the change of use of the dwelling house to a shop at ground floor and a flat at first floor, the installation of an extended shop front with shutter and canopy, the construction of a single-storey extension at the side and rear, and alterations.

The planning officer, Stuart Shaw, presented the application, noting that the site included a ground floor grocery store with a flat above, and a two-storey dwelling house. He stated that the proposal included extending the shop front, constructing a single-storey extension, and changing the use of the dwelling house to a shop and a flat. He added that the proposal was recommended for refusal on the grounds of the loss of a three-bed family dwelling house, and the replacement of the dwelling house with an extension to the ground floor shop being inappropriate and incompatible with the predominantly residential area. He also noted that the Lead Local Flood Authority had objected to the application due to a lack of flood risk assessment.

Councillor Adatia made a representation in support of the application, stating that the owners had been established for 42 years as a family-run business, and that expanding the shop would give them the opportunity to stock more items and create new jobs.

Councillor Hammond said that the emerging local plan policy was relevant, and that the loss of a family dwelling was important. He added that the expansion of the shop would have an impact on the residents at the back and the flats.

Councillor Surti recommended that the committee reject the application, and the motion was seconded by Councillor Ashiedu Joel. Councillor Devi Singh Patel abstained from the vote, saying that he wanted to clear up 40 points. The application was refused.


  1. Ofsted is the Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills. It inspects and regulates services that care for children and young people, and services that provide education and training. 

Attendees

Profile image for Councillor Nags Agath
Councillor Nags Agath  Independent •  Abbey
Profile image for Councillor Yogesh Chauhan
Councillor Yogesh Chauhan  Conservative •  Belgrave
Sharif Chowdhury
Profile image for Councillor George Cole
Councillor George Cole  Labour •  Western
Profile image for Councillor Ashiedu Joel
Councillor Ashiedu Joel  Labour •  Humberstone and Hamilton
Profile image for Councillor Scott Kennedy-Lount
Councillor Scott Kennedy-Lount  Liberal Democrat •  Aylestone
Profile image for Councillor Patrick Kitterick
Councillor Patrick Kitterick  Green Party •  Castle
Profile image for Councillor Sanjay Modhwadia
Councillor Sanjay Modhwadia  Conservative •  North Evington
Profile image for Councillor Raffiq Moosa Mohammed
Councillor Raffiq Moosa Mohammed  Labour •  Stoneygate
Profile image for Councillor Dr Lynn Moore
Councillor Dr Lynn Moore  Labour •  Knighton
Governance Services
Profile image for Councillor Devi Singh Patel
Councillor Devi Singh Patel  Conservative •  Rushey Mead
Jessica Skidmore
Profile image for Councillor Yasmin Surti
Councillor Yasmin Surti  Labour •  Stoneygate
Profile image for Councillor Nigel Porter
Councillor Nigel Porter  Liberal Democrat •  Aylestone

Topics

No topics have been identified for this meeting yet.

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