Issue - meetings

Demolition of existing building and erection of 3/4 storey building comprising 1 x one bed, 1 x three bed and 5 x two bed flats with associated landscaping.

RECOMMENDATION: Grant permission subject to conditions.

The Committee were advised that the site was on the south side of Lordship Lane between Coldham Court and Andrula Court. The application proposal had been  for demolition of existing building and erection of 3/4 storey building comprising 1 x one bed, 1 x three bed and 5 x two bed flats with associated landscaping. The current proposal was to add 1 x 1-bedroom flat on the ground floor of the approved building by subdividing the original 3-bedroom flat on the ground floor into a 3-bedroom flat and a one-bedroom flat, making a total of 7 flats in the development rather than 6.  Both flats would have direct access to garden space.  The envelope of the building as approved in 2007 would remain the same as there was no increase in size or bulk.

The Committee were further advised that at the time of submission of the application the original building had been demolished and the site cleared but the new building approved in 2007 had not been built, and as a result an application for the change of use of the ground floor flat into 2 flats was not possible as this flat still did not exist, and a new application for the whole building, with the variation of the additional flat, had to be submitted. The application was also a car free development.

The Committee were also advised that the earlier permission was subject to a Section 106 Agreement  requiring financial contributions for educational provision, environmental improvements and amendments to Traffic Management Orders.  These contributions had been paid before the issue of the planning permission and the addition of one non-family unit did not give rise to any requirement for additional contributions.  The development remained below the threshold for provision of affordable housing.  There was therefore no requirement for a fresh agreement to accompany this decision.  However, the Planning Officer advised that a Deed of Variation should be entered into to ensure that the obligations in the Section 106 Agreement for the previous scheme are binding on the amended scheme.

In response to points of clarification from the Committee officers advised that the change in specification in flat sizes was viewed as more likely to attract usage for small families. The size of the rooms in each dwelling was of adequate size, and consultation had taken place in the near vicinity though the site was opposite the park and therefore the development was not overlooked as such.

The Committee referred to provision of cycling storage and whether this could be included within the development. The Committee also commented that in terms of cycle storage there should be a check in terms of those applications where a cycle provision had been included and built, and the actual usage of the facility.

RESOLVED

That the application be granted subject to conditions and subject to the completion of a Deed of Variation.

INFORMATION RELATING TO APPLICATION REF: HGY/2008/0263

FOR PLANNING COMMITTEE DATED 06/05/2008

Location: 591 Lordship Lane N22

Proposal: Demolition  ...  view the full minutes text for item 183