The District-Wide Planning Committee met to discuss a planning application for a change of use at 42 Birmingham Lane, Meltham, Holmfirth. The committee delegated approval of the application to the Head of Planning and Development, subject to conditions.

Planning Application - 42 Birmingham Lane, Meltham, Holmfirth

The committee considered planning application 2025/90116 for a change of use from a class C3 dwellinghouse¹ to a mixed-use dwellinghouse and class E(f) childminding² facility, along with a single-storey rear extension and raised decking at 42 Birmingham Lane, Meltham, Holmfirth, HD9 5LH. Councillor Donna Bellamy had requested the application be brought before the committee due to concerns about the scale of the operation and its potential impact on residential amenity, including noise, parking, and general activity levels.

The application was submitted retrospectively, following enforcement investigations. The childminding business, trading as Sticks & Stones, had commenced in 2022 and operates between 7:30am and 5:30pm, Monday to Friday. Four employees work at the property, and a maximum of nine children are cared for at any one time. The property includes four rooms used for the day nursery, as well as the rear garden area. Three on-site parking spaces are provided. The ground floor side wall has been acoustically insulated.

The single-storey rear extension has a projection of 3m and a width of 8.4m, with an overall height of 5m. The raised decking projects 3m from the rear extension and has a width of 5.3m, raised 1.3m off the ground.

After initial concerns raised by KC Highways and KC Environmental Health, the applicant submitted a noise assessment, written evidence of sound insulation performance, a noise management plan, and a drop-off/pick-up booking management plan. The case officer considered an initial request to care for up to 14 children to be excessive and suggested a maximum of nine.

Following a re-advertisement of the application including the rear extension and decking, 83 representations were received: 5 objections and 78 comments in support. Objectors raised concerns about noise pollution, loss of privacy, insufficient parking, and increased traffic. Supporters emphasised the positive impact on the community, the convenience of the location near a primary school, and the lack of childcare options in the area.

KC Environmental Health raised no objections, subject to conditions regarding the operation of the childminding business in accordance with the submitted noise impact assessment and hours of operation. KC Highways also raised no objections, subject to the submitted Doorstep Drop Off/Collection Policy being conditioned.

The planning officer's report considered the main issues to be:

• Principle of development
• Urban design
• Residential amenity
• Highway issues
• Climate change
• Ecology
• Representations

The report concluded that the proposal was acceptable, and recommended that authority be delegated to the Head of Planning and Development to approve the application, issue the decision notice and complete the list of conditions including those contained within the report.

The committee voted to delegate approval of the application and the issuing of the decision notice to the Head of Planning and Development in order to complete the list of conditions including those contained within this report.