Scarborough 'asbestos' bungalows could become residential homes
The Borough Council is being asked to approve the demolition
Scarborough Council is set to approve the demolition of three asbestos-contaminated bungalows, which could be replaced with a terrace of eight new dwellings.
There is a recommendation that Scarborough Council’s Planning and Development Committee approve the demolition of three single-storey bungalows on Commercial Street, Scarborough.
The plans, submitted by Scarborough-based Thompson Property Ltd, propose to build a terrace of eight two-bedroom, two-storey dwellings on the site at Commercial Street, off Falsgrave.
The proposal, which will be discussed by councillors on Thursday 4 August, received four objections from members of the public with various concerns about the development.
One affected resident wrote to the council to say: “I object strongly to this development. The prefabs are of cultural significance to the street which is of mixed housing.
“They represent the history of the street. The street is busy and limited for parking as it is. Mostly I object to the disturbance which will involve noise, dirt, and rats. I also have concerns about asbestos.”
Other complaints related to “additional parking on the street” and “unacceptable construction-related nuisances”.
Council officers acknowledged that though the bungalows were “interesting and characterful”, they were erected post-war as temporary structures and “have existed well beyond their design life” as well as being contaminated with asbestos and as such “are no longer fit for habitation”.
Addressing concerns about noise, the authority’s environmental health team said that the proposal should be accompanied by a noise impact assessment due to the location of the site adjacent to a supermarket car park.
They added that recommendations should also be made “in relation to noise and dust control during construction; noise between residential units; contaminated land; noise from nearby existing commercial premises, and noise from construction works”.
A council report also notes that there is “specific legislation concerned with the disposal of asbestos and its provisions do not need to be repeated by planning condition”.
Initially, the Highway Authority objected to the proposals on grounds that the area was at full capacity for parking, but following the submission of correspondence from the applicant, the objection was withdrawn.
Yorkshire Water also had an initial objection to the proposal due to the presence of its sewer, but after the submission of further drainage information by the applicant, Yorkshire Water confirmed that the drainage survey was acceptable.
Council officers have recommended that permission be granted for the application to proceed, subject to conditions from the planning authority.