Planning Committee

The Planning Committee considered an application to change Boutique Student Living, 166-167 St Helens Road, Sandfields, from student flats to temporary homelessness accommodation run by the council with Pobl Homes & Communities Ltd. Members approved the application, subject to a deed of variation to the Section 106 agreement (a legal agreement attached to the planning permission), and amended one planning condition on the management plan.

1. Student flats at St Helens Road to become temporary homelessness accommodation

   Decided

   Approved, subject to a deed of variation to the Section 106 agreement. Condition 5 was amended so that the Operational Management Plan must include provision for 24-hour management and support at all times. The plan must be approved in writing before the building is occupied.

   Why

   The building was converted from offices to student accommodation under permissions granted in 2016 and 2022, and it now has 80 studios. The report says the proposal is closely aligned with national planning policy on reusing central, previously developed land. Pobl would hold and manage the building, and the council would commission and oversee the move-on service. Councillor Andrea Williams, Cabinet Member for Service Transformation, spoke in support, saying the scheme would help tackle homelessness in Swansea by providing temporary accommodation in the city centre. Maria Hernandez Diaz, an objector and current resident of the property, spoke against the proposals.

   Based on the minutes, Schedule -13th January 2026

Written by AI from the council's minutes and reports. Sentences with a number or name that can't be found in those papers are removed automatically, but mistakes are still possible. Councils publish no word-for-word record of meetings, so this says what was decided and why. Read the official papers to be sure.

1. 2

   Disclosures of Personal and Prejudicial Interests.

   Minute

   In accordance with the Code of Conduct adopted by the City and County of Swansea, no interests were declared.

2. 3

   Minutes.

   Minute

   Resolved that the minutes of the meeting held on 2 December 2025 be approved and signed as a correct record.

   Papers: $$Minutes2Dec25
3. 4

   Items for deferral/withdrawal.

   Minute

   None.

4. 5

   Determination of Planning Applications under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

   Minute

   A planning application was presented on behalf of the Head of Planning & City Regeneration. Amendments/updates to this schedule were reported and are indicated below by (#). Resolved that the undermentioned planning application be approved: #(Item 1) - Planning Application 2025/2425/FUL, Change of use from student accommodation (sui generis) to temporary supported / secure local authority homelessness accommodation (Class C2A) with on-site management and support rooms; internal alterations only; no material external changes at Boutique Student Living 166 - 167 St Helens Road, Sandfields, Swansea A visual presentation was given. Maria Hernandez Diaz (objector) spoke against the proposals as a current resident of the property. Councillor Andrea Williams, Cabinet Member for Service Transformation spoke in support of the proposals which would assist with tackling the problem of homelessness in Swansea by providing additional temporary accommodation in the city centre. Condition 5 amended as follows: 5. Prior to the beneficial occupation of the development, an Operational Management Plan, which includes provision for 24-hour management and support at all times, shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the LPA and thereafter be implemented in accordance with the approved Operational Management Plan for the lifetime of the development or equivalent approved document. Reason: To ensure the management and movement of vehicles related to the development in the interests of the public safety and amenities of the area, and to protect future resident's amenity in accordance with Swansea Local Development Plan Policy PS2. Note: Application approved subject to a deed of variation relating to the Section 106 agreement.

   Part of an issue followed across 15 meetings

   Papers: New Front Cover - November 2022, Contents Page -13th January 2026, New Two Stage Voting, Schedule -13th January 2026

Councillors must say when they have a personal link to something being discussed, such as a job, a property or a family member. A prejudicial interest is one strong enough that the councillor usually leaves the room and takes no part.

Declarations are read from the minutes once they are published.

• Paul Lloyd, ChairLabourPresent
• Adam Davis, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• Allan Jeffery, Committee MemberLiberal DemocratPresent
• Andrea Harrington, GuestLabourPresent
• Mair Baker, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• Mark Tribe, Committee MemberConservativePresent
• Mary Jones, Committee MemberLiberal DemocratPresent
• Mike Lewis, Committee MemberLabourSent apologies
• Mike White, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• Nicola Matthews, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• Peter Black CBE, Committee MemberLiberal DemocratPresent
• Peter May, Committee MemberUplandsPresent
• Philip Downing, Committee MemberLabourPresent

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