Issue - meetings

Erection of 2 x single storey two bed dwellinghouses (amended plans).

RECOMMENDATION: Grant permission subject to conditions.

The Committee received the report setting out planning application for the rear of 36-46 Alexandra Road N8 0PP (pages 95-108 of the agenda pack) and tabled documents including an email from the London Fire Brigade recommending that domestic sprinkler systems be fitted to the buildings as the access arrangements for fire fighting would not comply with building regulations and, an extract from a recent appeal of the decision of a similar development on garden land.  The Head of Development Management highlighted that there were no parking spaces proposed but the site was located in an area with high public transport accessibility and within a controlled parking zone.  It was also reported that two letters had been tabled by local residents Mr Steve Pile of 55 Burghley Road and Dr Jan Campbell of 36 Alexandra Road objecting to the application.

In response to questions from the Committee it was noted that the development would be set slightly lower in the ground than existing buildings and there would be rear boundary walls up to 2 metres in height and, being a single storey development it was not considered that there would be any loss to amenities to neighbouring properties.  Neighbouring properties would have sight of the development but would not be able to see inside the building.  In response to concerns about the narrow access passage officers considered the access and storage areas for refuse bins to be adequate.

The Committee heard the statements of Mr Steve Pile, Dr Janet Campbell and Ms Ulla Lefmann (41 Coleraine Road) urging the Committee to reject the proposals, including the following points:

·        The proposals, if granted, would overlook and intrude on neighbouring properties and privacy would be invaded.

·        The development would reduce daylight and sunlight into neighbouring properties and an independent impact study had not been conducted.

·        The development did not meet the Council’s guidelines that all rear facing habitable rooms directly opposite one another should be a minimum of 20 metres apart, despite it being a one storey development.

·        The development was contrary to the Council’s own design guidance.

·        The Council was under no obligation to build on green field sites and the site should remain as a garden.

·        Development should not be permitted until the Japanese Knotweed problem had been solved in the whole area.

·        The local residents’ association opposed the proposals.

The Committee noted the following further to a statement from local resident Mr Jayanti Patel, 61 Burghley Road resident, in support of the proposals:

• Whilst Mr Patel had similar concerns as other residents in the area he supported development of the site so that the area would be cleaner.
• The Japanese Knotweed had spread from this site into neighbouring gardens.
• A condition should be added to the application restricting future applications to build a second storey.  Officers explained that this was not possible as all applications must be considered on their own merit.

The Committee noted the following further to a statement from Mr Peter Ottery, the applicant:

• The actual  ...  view the full minutes text for item 26