A councillor will be allowed to finish a flats conversion in Morecambe but only under strict conditions after being accused of "a lack of respect" for the system.
Lancaster City Council gave approval on Monday for a change of use and conversion of a five-storey property at 45 Victoria Street, formerly used as a solicitor's office, to a one-bed flat and two two-bed maisonettes.
The applicant is Kate Knight, a Conservative Lancaster city councillor for Bare.
The part-retrospective planning application was approved with a series of conditions, including that an energy statement must be provided prior to any work restarting.
The statement must "demonstrate that energy demand has been addressed" and that the design "should optimise the inclusion of water efficiency and consumption measures", said a council report.
Councillor Knight, speaking to Beyond Radio after the meeting, said: "I'm really pleased the issues are now resolved and the application has been progressed and we look forward to continuing to contribute towards the ongoing regeneration of Morecambe."
The original application was invalidated because the application form had not mentioned that Counclllor Knight is a councillor.
By the time a correct form was submitted, Lancaster City Council had adopted a new Local Plan for the District and its policy had changed.
A Climate Emergency Review now means that an energy statement is needed.
Talks on the application were also delayed from March due to a "typing error on the front page of the report and concerns that this may cause prejudice", said a council report.
The report also said: "It was apparent during the Case Officer site visit in November 2024 that some works were taking place at the property and it is now evident through Building Control Officer site visits that works to facilitate the conversion are nearly completed.
"The Written Ministerial Statement of 2015 provides that intentional unauthorised development is a material consideration to be weighed in the determination of planning applications."
Planning officers had recommended that the application be refused.
But Mark Jackson, council planning officer, speaking on Monday at Morecambe Town Hall, said that on the morning of meeting, the applicant confirmed they had "instructed a firm to undertake preparing an energy statement".
Mr Jackson also said: "Sometimes works are carried out because people might not realise they need planning permission.
"(The law) allows for retrospective applications to be submitted."
Councillor Sandra Thornberry, chair of the council's planning regulatory committee, said the application should be approved but with conditions.
"If we were to defer again, it would delay the process," said Councillor Thornberry.
Councillor John Hanson seconded this, saying: "If it gets knocked back, it's just going to stay there empty.
"We've got enough empty flats in Morecambe and Lancaster."
But their Labour colleague, Councillor Colin Hartley, said: "I am minded not to support it, because of the intentional unauthorised development that did occur.
"There also seems to have been little response from the applicant until this morning.
"I feel the energy statement could have been provided much earlier."
Councillor Martin Bottoms, a Morecambe Bay Independent, said: "The email (from the applicant) requests a deferral. I would support a deferral."
Councillor Sue Tyldesley, a Green, said: "Someone going ahead without planning permission and being reluctant to engage with the planning process shows a lack of respect for the system.
"But, given our housing shortage, in all other respects, this is something we would approve.
"If we defer, it will just delay everything.
"But I do hope (council) officers will keep a close eye on what's going on and be ready to enforce straightaway if the required energy statement is not provided."
Following a vote, Councillors Thornberry, Hanson, Otway, Redfern, Pritchard, Tyldesley, Brookes, Greenwell, Tynan and Belcher voted in favour of the proposal. Councillor Hartley voted against and Councillor Bottoms abstained.
Councillor Keith Budden, a Conservative member of the planning committee, left the room and did not vote, as he is a political colleague of the applicant.
The work includes installation of replacement windows and infill panels to the rear, replacement front door, installation of new windows and formation of new lightwell to the front and installation of boundary wall and metal railings. The premises was previously used by Birchall Blackburn Law, who moved to a new home at 12 Victoria Street in 2023.
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