Issue - meetings

Erection of 1,672 sqm of Use Class B8 storage for Safestore; erection of 6 Use Class B2 units (total 3,334 sqm) and 1 Use Class B1 unit (325 sqm); with associated parking (112 spaces for whole estate including 7 for disabled persons) and landscaping.

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

The Committee was advised that Bounds Green Industrial Estate was located immediately to the South of the North Circular Road, to the east of Bounds Green Road and to the west of the East Coast Mail Line.  The site was approximately 2.8 hectares in size and was occupied by a mix of small industrial workshop units, predominantly two storeys in height.  The application site was defined as employment area.

It was proposed that the highest point of the Safestore building would 16.1 metres in height however, the predominant height would be 14.35 metres.  The applicant had proposed to introduce buff facing brickwork piers to the north and east corners of the building and silver cladding panels to soften the appearance of the Safestore unit.  The building would be screened to the west by trees to the west of the railway line.  The proposal would involve the demolition of existing single storey buildings, the replacement units would improve the appearance of the estate.

Units A7 would be located to western end of the existing block A, adjacent to the proposed Safestore unit.  Unit D3 was proposed to be developed behind the existing block D and in front of the Safestore building and this building would be faced in steel cladding panels. Unit A8, would have a separate access off the Ringway, with 8 parking spaces, including 2 disabled.  Following discussion with the applicant Unit D9 had been deleted from the scheme.  The trees proposed for removal were not subject to a Tree Preservation Order and not considered to be of significant amenity value.

The proposed scheme was considered acceptable, Units B1 and B2 would have very limited visibility from the public realm.  The level of proposed parking was also considered acceptable and a total of 6 recycle/waste storage areas were to be provided throughout the industrial estate.  The proposal would help to enhance the existing industrial estate in both physical and operational terms, without having a detrimental impact on the character and setting of the area or on the residential amenity of neighbouring properties. 

Members queried the financial contribution requested by Transportation and that this amount had been reduced by the planning officer.  The Committee was advised that the reduced amount was to improve the walking conditions, walkways, and footways. The Committee further queried the amount of parking spaces provided for the Safestore unit and in response were informed that calculations had been produced on the existing site, the forecast traffic was 15 vehicle movement in and out of the site and it was felt that the parking spaces proposed would be sufficient.  The figures provided were in line with those predicted by the applicant’s consultants.  The car club spaces proposed were appropriate as they formed a key element of the travel plan. 

A local resident from Lawson Court addressed the Committee to object to the application because it was felt that the proposal had been handled in a highly unethical manner and due to the impact it would impose  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11