Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting, introductions were made and the Fire Evacuation Procedure explained.

The minutes of the meeting of the Planning and Development Committee held on 2 December 2025 were submitted and approved as a correct record.

The Head of Planning submitted plans deposited as applications to develop land under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

Item 1 – 2A Gypsy Lane, Middlesbrough, TS7 8NG

The Development Control Manager presented an application that sought permission for the conversion of the property from a single residential dwellinghouse (C3) to three self-contained units (C3).

The application site was a two-storey, semi-detached residential dwellinghouse situated at the western end of Gypsy Lane, at its junction with Dixons Bank/Stokesley Road. It was within an established residential area with properties that were predominantly built in the 1950s and 1960s and arranged at a medium density.

The proposal involved the conversion of the existing dwellinghouse into three self‑contained residential units, two of which would be created at ground‑floor level and one at first‑floor level. Although no extensions to the property were proposed, fenestration alterations were included to facilitate the development, such as the installation of double entrance doors within the vestibule, the blocking up of the rear door of the existing dwelling, and the addition of a new rear‑elevation window to replace existing double doors. The site was proposed to be landscaped, with dedicated external amenity areas provided for each of the three units, alongside a shared external amenity space. Three in‑curtilage parking spaces, one for each unit, were proposed, with access retained from Gypsy Lane. A new small outbuilding was also proposed along the eastern boundary to accommodate cycle storage and general domestic items, positioned on the site of the existing detached garage, which would be demolished.

The proposal was in accordance with relevant design policies and was not expected to harm the character or appearance of the dwelling, street scene or highways. Members noted that the application complied with national and local planning policies, including the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), Policy CS5: Design, Policy DC1: General Development, and the Middlesbrough Urban Design SPD (UDSPD).

Following the consultation period 17 responses were received, comprising 16 objections and 1 in support. Objections related to the proposal indicated that it was out of keeping with the established family character of the area; would set an unwelcome precedent for further flat or HMO conversions; would exacerbate existing parking, traffic and highway‑safety issues, particularly for children using local school routes; would lead to increased noise, waste and pressure on local infrastructure; would harm residential amenity through overlooking and loss of privacy; and was associated with concerns regarding the poor condition of the property, the landlord’s historic management of it, and the potential impact on community cohesion and property values.

Members discussed the possibility that residents in the flats could have more than one car. If this was the case could this be accommodated within the proposed scheme. It was clarified that additional car parking was possible within the curtilage of the scheme at a future date and that parking for visitors would likely follow the same pattern as normal houses, with visitors parking on the highway.

It was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 25/54

At this point in the meeting Cllrs Saunders and Wilson withdrew from the meeting.

The Development Control Manager submitted details of planning applications which had been approved to date in accordance with the delegated authority granted to him at Minute 187 (29 September 1992).

Agreed as follows:

 Members noted the information presented.

A Member raised concerns regarding approvals and continuous use and requested that officers revisit the issue. Members were provided with an explanation regarding the timelines involved with continuous use and that the matter be discussed with Members before the next committee meeting.

The Development Control Manager submitted details of new planning applications that had been received on a weekly basis over the past month. The purpose of this was to provide Members with the opportunity of viewing current live applications, which had yet to be considered by officers.

A Member queried the status of property known to him to be listed. Officers explained this was still under consideration and that there were several factors surrounding this.

Agreed as follows:

•         Members noted the information provided.

The Development Control Manager provided an update on various Planning Appeals that had been considered by the Planning Inspectorate.

Agreed as follows:

•         Members noted the information provided.

None.