Issue - meetings

Demolition of existing sports hall and provision of new buildings to provide new indoor sports, music and performing arts facilities together with associated landscaping works.

RECOMMENDATION: Grant permission subject to conditions and subject to a section 106 legal agreement.

The Committee considered a report, previously circulated, on the application for planning permission at the Channing School, Highgate Hill. The report set out images, details of the site and surroundings, the proposal, planning history, relevant planning policies, consultation and responses, analysis and human rights and equalities considerations. The recommendation of the report was that the application be granted, subject to conditions and a section 106 legal agreement. The Planning Officer gave a presentation outlining key aspects of the report, and advised that further representations had been received subsequent to the production of the report, including from Metropolis, who would be addressing the Committee in objection to the application. Guidance on the new National Planning Policy Framework was circulated for Members’ information.

The following questions were raised by Members after the officer’s presentation:

• Concern was expressed that there was as yet no firm plan for site access; it was reported that testing was currently taking place to ascertain whether the preferred of the 3 options was feasible. There were two other options, although these were less favoured. A condition was sought delegating approval of the final construction management plan to officers, although if this raised further issues, the matter could be brought back to the Committee.
• The hydrological survey had been a combination of desk-based and investigative study. It concluded that the basement would have no impact on the water table; there may be an issue regarding the type of foundations that could be employed, although this had not been found to be significant.
• In response to a question regarding how the proposed building fitted with the character of the area, it was reported that there was a range of building styles in the vicinity and that the proposals to recess the building mitigated the impact from the street.
• The Committee asked about the impact of the proposals on the view from neighbouring gardens, in response to which it was reported that that the use of materials would mitigate the impact of the proposals, and that there was no protection of views under planning policy.
• In response to a question of approval of the materials to be used, it was reported that a condition was proposed requiring the applicant to submit samples of the proposed materials for the approval of the planning authority.
• It was clarified that the test in relation for developments in Conservation Areas related to whether a development preserved or enhanced the Conservation Area, and that this was for the Committee to determine.

The Committee was addressed by four objectors; Mr Mayer, a local resident, Mr Cooper, Metropolis Planning and Design on behalf of local residents, Mr Reynolds, on behalf of the local CAAC and the Highgate Society, and Cllr Bob Hare, Ward Councillor. Cllr Schmitz stated for the record that Cllr Hare had been present at the site visit in advance of the meeting, but had not put any views forward regarding the application at that time. The following points were raised by the objectors and in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 148