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DC Casebook: Housing: Conversion - Security concerns justify hire service flat

Housing conversion

Planning, 22 August 2008

An equipment hire company has secured permission to convert office floor space at a depot in north Wales into a flat on the basis that increased security is needed at the site.

The appellants had installed a closed-circuit television system, electronically controlled gates, security lighting and an intruder alarm system in an attempt to reduce the incidence of break-ins and theft. But the council alleged that the flat scheme involved the creation of a new dwelling in the countryside, for which insufficient justification had been provided.

The inspector disagreed, noting that a local plan policy supported new residential accommodation where it was occupied as an adjunct to an existing business. He saw clear evidence of the need for increased security and agreed that somebody living on site would help remedy this problem. The appeal was allowed subject to a condition restricting occupation of the accommodation to a person employed by the business.

DCS Number 100-056-669

Inspector Jack Moffett; Written representations.