Issue - meetings

Demolition of existing building and erection of part four / part five storey building comprising community clinic at ground floor level and 2 x one bed, 4 x two bed and 3 x three bed flats above with 9 car parking spaces, bicycle store, refuse space and private amenity space (Amended Scheme).      

RECOMMENDATION: Grant permission subject to Section 106 Legal Agreement.          

The Committee were advised that the application site was located on Fortis Green, which was situated off Fortis Green Road.  The site was located on the road that lay between East Finchley and Muswell Hill.  Part of the site was on Spring Lane, the site was also situated in the Muswell Hill Conservation Area.  Presently the site was a two-storey detached redundant Health Clinic built in the early 70’s.  Adjacent to the site was Twyford Court - a residential block comprising of three-storeys plus mansard roof.  Opposite the site are more residential buildings named ‘The Gables’ that comprises of three-storeys.  To the rear of the site were Firemans cottages of single family dwelling houses comprising of three-storeys.

The Committee were advised that an application for demolition of existing building and erection of a part four/part five storey building comprising of clinic at ground floor level, 6 x 3 bed and 3 x 2 bed flats with 10 parking spaces, bicycle store, refuse and private amenity space, was refused on the 24/01/2008 and was the subject of appeal as yet not determined.

The Committee were informed that the proposal was for the demolition of the existing clinic building and erection of a four storey building with community clinic on the ground floor and 2 x 1 bed, 4 x 2 bed and 3 x 3 bed.  The proposal also included 9 off-street car parking spaces, a bicycle store and 180m² of private amenity space and 90m² private space on the roof.  The proposed building would comprise of a clinic and lobby area on the ground floor, on the first floor there are 4 units, 2 x 1 bed, 1 x 2 bed and 1 x 3 bed flats.  The proposed second floor would have three units 1 x 3 bed, 2 x 2 bed and the third floor two more units 1 x 3 bed and 1 x 2 bed.  The proposed building would have two entrances on the ground floor, one for the residential units and one for the clinic.  The proposed materials would be red brick to match the local brickwork with double glazed aluminium framed windows, with some stone detailing and façade.

A Local Residents addressed the Committee and objected to the application on the basis that:

• that the size of the development was large for the site in question, the development should be set back from the road further than intended
• that if the application were permitted then the planned design of the south west corner would require redesigning so as to have a curbed effect
• there was no apparent safe guards to the proposed roof terrace and the terrace would be visible from the street and seen by people walking or sitting on a bus, and also conditions needed to be imposed as regards barbecues and the hanging of washing on the proposed roof terrace or balconies
• the proposed community clinic required explanation of exactly what its function would be, and whether the proposed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 209