Issue - meetings

Demolition of existing buildings and erection of one eight-storey and one ten-storey block fronting onto Hornsey Lane, with one 1 to 5 storey projecting block (western block) and one 4 to 7 storey projecting block (eastern block) at the rear; comprising 71 x 1 bed, 18 x 2 bed, 6 x 3 bed and 1 x 4 bed units, plus 40 extra care units (a total of 136 units) with basement car parking, cycle parking and associated landscaping.

RECOMMENDATION: Grant permission subject to conditions and/or subject to Section 106 Legal Agreement

The Officer presented the report and informed the Committee that the subject site was known as Roden Court, located on the northern side of Hornsey Lane.  The existing site consisted of 98 studio flats and was occupied by approximately 50 residents.

This application followed on from a recent refusal which was for 40 extra care units and 99 residential units.  The proposed development would have a density of 375hrh which was considered to be acceptable within this urban area where flats were the predominant housing type.  The proposal would include together with the proposed extra care accommodation a mix of affordable family housing units, 65 habitable rooms were to be affordable and 17 habitable rooms provided within the family social rent units.

Cllr Haley entered the meeting at 8:10pm.

The proposed development would consist of two towers to the front of the site with projecting wings to the rear which reduced in height.  It was considered that the proposal would not adversely affect the streetscape, skyline/panoramas and character of the area.  It was also considered that the overall qualify of the towers design was acceptable and met Policy requirements.  The proposal included 45 basement car parking spaces plus 3 surface car parking spaces for the extra care facility.  A further 45 cycle racks had been proposed for the site, 6 to be located near the entrance to the extra care facility.  A number of trees were specified for removal to facilitate the new building.

The Committee were informed that the Fire Officer had originally raised concerns regarding the access for emergency vehicles however, these had now been resolved.

The Committee requested an outline of the differences between the original application refused on the grounds of bulk, height and mass in contrast to the application now before the Committee.  In response the officer explained that there had been a slight slimming down of the block, changes to the design of the front blocks, better design of the windows, a reduction in the height of the eastern side and on the right hand block a floor had been taken off the top to reduce the effect on Hilltop House and to overcome overlooking and a number of other adjustments.

Cllr Aitken addressed the Committee and reiterated what the officer had said in terms of the mix of affordable housing and stated that this proposal was a commercial residential care development.  The changes made to the plans were cosmetic and did not meet the fundamental home care standards and requested the Committee to reject the application.

Cllr Haley objected to the application on the grounds of environmental sustainability.  He stated the application site was close to the W5 bus route, 10 buses passed per hour on a two way connection to Archway Station.   Cllr Haley further stated that the officer had alluded to looking at sustainable energy however, he felt that some form of combined heating and power system should be proposed as concerns were raised during discussions regarding the water table and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 133