Issue - meetings

Enlargement of existing roof areas of main buildings to create 3 x one bed flats and 1 x two bed flat (Building 1) and 2 x two bed flats (Building 2). Formation of 1 x one bed flat within unused garage space of Building 2 incorporating one bedroom from adjacent flat. Demolition of existing garage block to rear of site and erection of 2 x two bed flats. Associated landscaping and creation of 20 car parking spaces.

RECOMMENDATION: Grant permission subject to conditions.

The Committee considered a report, previously circulated, which set out the application, the site and its environment, planning history, consultation and relevant planning factors and policies. The officer gave a presentation outlining the key issues, in particular the differences between the current application and the previously refused application relating to the same site, and suggested that additional conditions be imposed requiring the submission of a parking management plan, and the protection of existing trees during construction work.

In response to questions from the Committee, it was confirmed that the window design had not altered since the Conservation Officer had made their response to the consultation, but that it was felt that the proposed design was an improvement on the previous application and was satisfactory. It was reported that details of how parking arrangements at the site would be enforced would be covered in the parking management plan, and that a fuller plan than the version already submitted would be required by condition, were the application granted. In response to concerns expressed that the issue of hard landscaping was not adequately addressed in the report, despite accounting for a large number of responses to the consultation, the Committee was advised that the presentations made by all parties at the meeting and the responses to questions should also be taken into account when making its decision, and not just the written report.

Two local residents, Ms Hessel and Mr Hoyle, spoke in objection to the application. Ms Hessel outlined the number of schools and community facilities in the vicinity of the site, and emphasised the existing road safety issues which the application would exacerbate were it to be granted, putting local primary school children at risk. Mr Hoyle told the Committee that there was no local support for the development, which would make the existing building more dominating and more dense than at present, and reduce the amount of open space on the site. Mr Hoyle expressed concern that the parking management plan showed that access to the car park would be via the entrance directly opposite the entrance to a busy school. It was stated that the scheme was fundamentally the same as the previous scheme which had been refused and that this development should also be refused permission.

Cllr Winskill, Ward Councillor for Crouch End, addressed the Committee in objection to the application, and showed some photographs illustrating existing traffic problems in the vicinity of the site, which was one of the key objections from local residents. Cllr Winskill reported that the proposals would have an adverse effect on the Conservation Area and should be refused outright, as it was almost the same as the previous scheme which was refused, just with more parking spaces. Concern was also expressed regarding the impact on residents of the loss of front gardens to accommodate the new parking spaces, and the environmental impact of replacing lawn with hard surfaces.

In response to questions from the Committee, the objectors reported that traffic would not  ...  view the full minutes text for item 129