Issue - meetings

Construction of a new exercise and sports facility on part of the Newlands Playing Field.

RECOMMENDATION: Grant permission subject to conditions.

Prior to the consideration of this item Councillors Demirci, Hare and Paeacock, declared personal and prejudicial interests as Trustees of Alexandra Palace, and withdrew from the Chamber.

Councillor Newton declared a personal interest.

Councillor Dodds, Vice-Chair, took the Chair for this item.

The Committee considered a report, previously circulated, which gave details of the application, the applicant’s case, the site and its environment, planning history and all of the relevant planning factors and policies.

It was noted that there was an error within the report where the size of the area covered by the adiZone was stated as being 6125sq.m, this should have read 625sq.m.

The Committee agreed that given the large number of objectors for this application and that Mr Marr, Chair of the local Conservation Area Committee, should be given a separate two minutes to give his views.

At the invitation of the Chair Mr Marr spoke in objection to the application and members of the Committee then put questions to Mr Marr.

In response to a question Mr Marr advised that the branding and scale of the proposal would be intrusive and that it was not in keeping with the surrounding area. He considered that there were other, more appropriate sites within Alexandra Park where the proposal could be sited.

At the invitation of the Chair, Ms Helen Allen of 79 Boyton Road spoke in objection to the application and members of the Committee then put questions to Ms Allen.

In response to a question as to why she considered that the application would cause Anti Social Behaviour, Ms Allen advised that the nearby car park already attracted youths who often played loud music until the early hours of the morning causing disturbance to local residents. She felt that it was likely that would increase with the introduction of another area where youths could congregate at night.

At the invitation of the Chair Mr Roger Kemp of 14 Newland House spoke in objection to the application.

Councillor Hare spoke in objection to the application as a local resident and a member of Alexandra Park Board. He noted that this was a historic park that did not provide an appropriate setting for what he considered to be an urban scheme. Although he supported the inclusion of such a facility in the Borough he did not feel that this was the appropriate place for it to be located.

Councillor Monica Whyte, Local Ward Member, spoke in objection to the application and she noted that she also represented other Ward Members. She contended that consultation with residents had been poor and that these plans had only come to the attention of many residents when it was drawn to their attention by a neighbour. Councillor Whyte had asked the local Neighbourhood Manager to arrange two public meetings to discuss the application, as the first meeting had been poorly attended.

Councillor Whyte noted that effective consultation was important to achieving buy-in from the local community and noted that despite of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 91