Issue - meetings

Change of use from B1 (offices) to radio-controlled mini cab office.

RECOMMENDATION: Refuse permission.

This item had been deferred from the previous meeting of the Committee, on 11 January 2009. 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. The Planning Officer gave a summary of the report submitted and took questions from the Committee.

In response to a question from the Committee, it was reported that enforcement action had been taken against the premises in May 2009 and had led to prosecution.

At the invitation of the Chair, Mr Leach of Wellfield Avenue and Mr Ehsani of Dukes Avenue spoke in objection to the application. Mr Leach told the Committee that taxis waiting in the vicinity of the office affected access and local parking and also caused noise and disturbance to local residents, who were being denied peaceful enjoyment of their properties as a result.  Mr Ehsani told the Committee that, as a result of the taxi office, rubbish was constantly being dumped in his front garden and that the constant disturbance from taxis meant that he could no longer use his garden.

At the invitation of the Chair, Mr Cimen addressed the Committee on behalf of the applicant and spoke in support of the application and answered questions from the Committee.

The Committee asked why on recent occasions taxis had been seen at the office when pick-up was to be fully radio-controlled, in response to which Mr Cimen reported that some drivers came to the office to pay rent or for other reasons, not to collect customers. Mr Cimen advised the Committee, in response to a question, that radio-controlled operation had commenced after the application had been submitted although a more precise date could not be provided. It was clarified that the application had been submitted on 9 November 2009.

In reaching a decision, it was recorded that the Chair did not vote.

RESOLVED

That planning application HGY/2009/1897 be refused.

Location: 320A Dukes Mews N10

Proposal: Change of use from B1 (offices) to radio controlled minicab office.

Recommendation: Refuse Permission

Decision: Refuse Permission

Drawing No’s:

Reason:

1. By virtue of the nature and siting of the proposed development, it is considered there shall be an increase in noise and disturbance associated with its operation, with an unreasonable detrimental impact on the residential amenity of neighbouring properties, which is considered contrary to Policy UD3 'General Principles' and M12 'Minicabs' of the Haringey UDP (2006).

Section 106: No