Issue - meetings

Refurbishment and conversion of the Town Hall Building comprising alterations, extension and change of use from B1 (Business) and Sui Generis to a mixed use scheme incorporating: D1 (Non-Residential Institutions), A3 & A4 uses (Restaurants, Cafes and drinking establishment), D2 (Assembly and Leisure) and retaining existing B1 and Sui Generis (Theatre and performance venue) use. Alterations, extensions and change of use of Link Block and East Wing from B1 (office) to C3 dwellinghouses. Extension, alteration, refurbishment and change of use of the Broadway Annexe East Part from B1 office to A1 retail and B1 office (West part to be C3 residential). New residential development comprising 123 No. units in total (35 x 1 bed flats, 61 x 2 bed flats, 20 x 3 bed flats, 3 x 4 bed flats and 4 x 4 bed houses) and associated car parking at basement level, including residential accommodation in the existing Town hall (East Wing and Link Building), the Broadway Annexe (West Part) and Mews. Erection of sub-stations. Alterations and landscape improvements including to the Town Hall Square, and use of the square for both public events and markets / small festival uses.

RECOMMENDATION: Grant permission subject to conditions and subject to s106 Legal Agreement.

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

The Planning Officer gave a summary of the report outlining the key points and took questions from the Committee. A list of revised drawings was also provided to Committee Members. In response to a question from the Committee regarding how the application would be processed fairly, given that the Council was the applicant, the Assistant Director, Planning and Regeneration, reported that the application would be handled and assessed on the same basis as any other. It was reported in response to a question from the Committee that alternative facilities to the public toilets proposed for demolition would be provided within the Town Hall building. In response to concerns expressed by the Committee that the facilitating development might be completed and used for income generation before the works of public benefit to the Town Hall were completed, it was reported that the Section 106 agreement would be worded to ensure that this was not a possibility.

The Chair permitted three local residents to speak in objection to the scheme: Mr Ibbotson, Chair of the Conservation Area Advisory Committee, Mr Hales and Dr Toyne. Local residents raised concerns pertaining to the sustainability of the scheme, funding for the development, public transport links, the limited amount of parking proposed, landscaping and lack of consultation. Residents were supportive of the refurbishment of the Town Hall in principle, but expressed concerns regarding the scale of the development and the impact this would have on the Conservation area and local properties, particularly in respect of loss of light. It was requested that further thought be given to the design of the square and the public realm. Dr Toyne challenged the daylight surveys that had been provided to the Council.

Cllr Lyn Weber, Ward Councillor for Crouch End, addressed the Committee in support of the refurbishment of the Town Hall buildings but echoed the concerns expressed by residents and also suggested that the proposal should incorporate more sustainable technologies, protection for neighbouring tree roots, additional tree planting as screening and that contact details for the developer be displayed clearly on the site to enable local residents to contact them directly regarding any issues during construction. Cllr Weber also expressed concerns over the amount of housing that would be provided and the lack of affordable housing.

Ann Wilks, Chair of the Hornsey Town Hall Creative Trust, addressed the Committee in support of the application. Ms Wilks explained that the Trust aimed to revive the Town Hall, making it accessible to the community, and that after years of considering the options available, the Trust was satisfied that the current proposal achieved a balance of all the different requirements for the site. In respect of the anticipated shortfall in funding, Ms Wilks confirmed that the Trust was committed to raising funds to meet this shortfall. Graeme Jennings from  ...  view the full minutes text for item 44