Planning – Application Comments

Consultation Date: Mon 19 Jan 2026

Consultation Date: Mon 19 Jan 2026

Consultation Date: Mon 19 Jan 2026

Consultation Date: Mon 19 Jan 2026

Consultation Date: Mon 19 Jan 2026

Comment Date: Thu 05 Feb 2026

PLYMOUTH CITY COUNCIL CONSULTEE COMMENTS FOR A PLANNING APPLICATION.


APPLICATION SUMMARY
PLANNING APPLICATION: 26/00038/FUL
ADDRESS: 18 Commercial Road Plymouth PL4 0LE
DESCRIPTION: Change of use from one in number dwellinghouse (Class C3) to two in number flats (Class C3). Part-retrospective.

CASE OFFICER: Sam Lewis (Planning Officer)
Development Management, PCC Strategic Planning & Infrastructure, Floor 2 Ballard House PL1 3BJ

CONSULTEE: Gary Lester (Transport Officer)
PCC Strategic Planning & Infrastructure, Transport Planning Team, Floor 2 Ballard House PL1 3BJ

Date: 5th February 2026

COMMENTS:
The Local Highway Authority (LHA) is unable to support this retrospective proposal for a Change of Use by subdividing a single dwelling-house, to create two in number flats.

The application property is a terraced house that fronts directly onto the public footway, located in coxside, an older mixed use area of the city. The property has no off-street parking, and no rear access is indicated in the application.

This is an undesirable retrospective proposal for the subdivision of the single dwelling to create two flats, apparently having already been partially implemented. Although it seems that no assessment or rational has been provided to support the proposed intensification in the use by sub-dividing to create an additional dwelling.

Intensifying the use by subdividing the single dwelling into two flats will cause a detrimental negative impact in the public realm for all users, including for local occupiers and their visitors. Giving rise to an unnecessary increase in associated pedestrian and vehicle movements in the local streets, and for on-street parking by occupiers, visitors, and deliveries (along with an increase in the number of refuse bins on the public footway whilst awaiting collection). On-street parking availability in the local streets is already at a premium, and subject to parking restrictions and controls that include a Permit Parking scheme.

However, on balance although the application site is not policy compliant in off-street parking provision, in this case with all things considered including the local parking restrictions, the level of detriment would be insufficient to sustain a recommendation of refusal on highway grounds. Although, to help mitigate the negative impacts and detriment, and in accordance with Council policy, the whole of the application property shall be excluded from obtaining permits and purchasing visitor tickets for use within the Permit Parking scheme.


SUMMARY:
The LHA is unable to support this retrospective proposal for a Change of Use by subdividing a single dwelling-house, to create two in number flats. That, as considered above, would increase the demand for on-street parking further degrading the public realm and cause a detrimental negative impact for all users. The property shall be excluded from obtaining permits and purchasing visitor tickets for use within the Permit Parking scheme. Please include the following Informative, and details in any consent: -

INFORMATIVE: PARKING PERMIT SCHEME
() The applicant should be made aware that the property lies within a permit parking scheme, in controlled parking zone 'K' that is operational at all times. The proposed development is expected to increase demand for on-street parking. As a result and in accordance with Council Policy the property will be entirely excluded from obtaining permits and purchasing visitor tickets for use within the scheme.


Gary Lester
Transport Planning Officer
Officer authorised to sign on behalf of the Service
Director for Strategic Planning & Infrastructure



SEE THE FOLLOWING NOTICE OF EXCLUSION FROM THE ENTITLEMENT OF PARKING PERMITS: -


F.A.O Miss E. Woolf
18 Commercial Road
Plymouth PL4 0LE


My Ref: GL/26/00038/FUL

Date: 5th February 2026

From: - Strategic Planning & Infrastructure
Floor 2
Ballard House
West Hoe Road
Plymouth PL1 3BJ

T 01752 307711
E: www.plymouth.gov.uk


Dear Sir/Madam

PLANNING APPLICATION NO: 26/00038/FUL

ADDRESS: 18 Commercial Road Plymouth PL4 0LE

EXCLUSION FROM THE ENTITLEMENT OF PARKING PERMITS.

DEVELOPMENT: Change of Use from 1in number dwellinghouse (Class C3) to two in number flats (Class C3) (part-retrospective)

In May 1997, a report was taken to the Plymouth Joint Highways Committee and a recommendation was agreed that properties or premises situated within a Permit Parking Zone that are to be demolished or re-developed should be automatically removed from the list of properties eligible to apply for any form of parking permit.

Also, where an increase in parking demand occurs as a result of the property having a change of use or being increased to multiple occupancy, removal of the property from the list of properties eligible to apply for a permit will be at the discretion of the Head of Transport Services.

As this property is subject to an application that falls under one of the above mentioned criteria, then I would have to inform you that in accordance with current Council Policy, in the event that the proposed development or change of use is implemented, this property will be excluded from the Permit Parking Zone that is in operation within this area of the City. Therefore, the new development will be excluded from the issue of parking permits, including business permits, and visitor tickets.


Yours Faithfully

Gary Lester

Transport Planning Officer
Strategic Planning & Infrastructure
Plymouth City Council
cc. Plymouth Highways, Parking, Prince Rock Depot Macadam Road Plymouth

Comment Date: Fri 30 Jan 2026

Planning Response.docx