Issue - meetings

Refurbishment of existing building with reconstruction of new façade to the elevations and change of use from offices to offices / 9 residential units comprising 2 x one bed, 5 x two bed and 2 x three bed flats.

RECOMMENDATION: Grant permission subject to conditions and a Section 106 Legal Agreement.

The Committee was advised that this application site was a four storey building which was part of Crouch End Town Centre and was also within the Crouch End Conservation Area.  Currently the building was vacant but had previously been used as B1 offices on the ground and upper floors for a number of years.  The proposed refurbishment retained the employment use at ground and converted the upper level office space to residential apartments.

It was considered that the proposed development was of a type and scale which was appropriate for this location.  The mixed use scheme met with the relevant policy requirements for sites of this type as well as being in step with the London Plan.  The proposed development was below the affordable housing threshold provision. 

It was further considered that neighbouring occupiers would not suffer detrimental loss of amenity as a result of adverse additional overlooking and loss of privacy.  The current proposal retained the bulk, scale and massing of the existing building.  The re-design of the facades was attractive and considered to be in keeping with the character and appearance of the locality.  The scheme included one wheelchair accessible unit and that all the dwellings met the Council’s standards in terms of layout and room size. 

The officer explained that within the report (pages 132 and 137) the scheme proposed 6 off-street car parking spaces, however the plans detailed 5 car parking spaces and the Committee was asked to make a decision on the number of car parking spaces to be provided.  A number of cycle racks would also be included within the cartilage of the development.

Members enquired whether it was possible to condition that one car parking space be made available for the office during business hours.  The Committee agreed that 5 car parking spaces would be provided.

The Chair moved a motion to grant the application subject to conditions and the extra condition and subject to a Section 106 Legal Agreement.

RESOLVED

That the application be granted subject to conditions and the extra condition that one car parking space be made available for the office during business hours, that 5 car parking spaces be provided for the whole scheme and to a Section 106 Legal Agreement.

INFORMATION RELATING TO APPLICATION REF: HGY/2008/1692

FOR PLANNING COMMITTEE DATED 06/10/2008

Location: 2-6 Middle Lane N8

Proposal: Refurbishment of existing building with reconstruction of new facade to the elevations, and change of use from offices to offices / 9 residential units comprising 2 x one bed , 5 x two bed and 2 x three bed flats.

Recommendation: Grant subject to conditions and Legal Agreement

Decision: Grant subject to conditions and Legal Agreement

Drawing No’s: KP-ML-PL01; KP-ML-GA01, 02, 03, 04, 05; KP-ML-ELEV01, 02, 03; KP-ML-SEC01 & 02.

Conditions:

1.       The development hereby authorised must be begun not later than the expiration of 3 years from the date of this permission, failing which the permission shall be of no effect.

Reason: This condition is imposed by virtue of the provisions  ...  view the full minutes text for item 275