Issue - meetings

Demolition of Cholmeley House and ancillary residential unit, Tuck Shop building and substantial demolition of Fives Courts and erection of a new part 2 storey, part 3 storey Junior School building with link attachments to retained Ingleholme Building. External alterations to retained Ingleholme Building.

RECOMMENDATION: grant permission subject to conditions and the completion of a s106 legal agreement

The Committee considered a report, previously circulated, on the application to grant planning permission for Highgate School, Bishopswood Road, N6. The application was for the demolition of Cholmeley House and ancillary residential unit, Tuck Shop building and substantial demolition of Five Courts and the erection of a new Junior School building linked to the retained Ingleholme building which would require some external alterations. The report set out details of the proposal, the site and surroundings, planning history, relevant planning policy, consultation and responses, analysis, equalities and human rights implications and recommended to grant permission subject to conditions and the completion of a s106 legal agreement. The Planning Officer gave a short presentation highlighting the key aspects of the report. The Committee’s attention was also drawn to a tabled addendum to the report setting out a revised officer recommendation for permission to be conditional on the applicant submitting a unilateral undertaking to the Council by the 19 March 2013 in order to improve performance in determining major planning applications prior to the end of the municipal year.

The following points were raised in discussion of the application by the Committee:

·        It was advised that although the Cholmeley House building was locally listed, officers were satisfied that the new modern, fit for purpose replacement building would have an overall positive effect on the Conservation Area through its high quality, contemporary design and finish.

·        Although the school’s playing fields and associated open spaces were designated as Metropolitan Open Land (MOL), which was subject to protection in terms of openness, the demolition of the Five Courts and Tuck Shop buildings would serve to open up MOL.

·        Confirmation was provided that the application constituted a remodelling of the facilities onsite and that pupil intake would not increase as a direct result.

·        It was noted that objections had been received from the Highgate Conservation Area Advisory Committee and two local residents.

·        In response to questions raised during the consultation period regarding the impact of the application on traffic in the area, it was advised that the school would be required to produce a travel plan, which, inline with highway safety improvements also planned, aimed to achieve a reduction in the use of private cars on the site and the promotion of public transport as an alternative.

The Chair moved the recommendations of the report and it was:

RESOLVED

·        That permission be granted for application HGY/2012/2346 subject to conditions and conditional on the applicant submitting a unilateral undertaking to the satisfaction of the local planning authority no later than 19 March 2013.

CONDITIONS:

1. The development hereby authorised must be begun not later than the expiration of 3 years from the date of this permission, failing which the permission shall be of no effect.

Reason: This condition is imposed by virtue of Section 91 of the Town & Country Planning Act 1990 and to prevent the accumulation of unimplemented planning permissions.

2. The development hereby authorised shall be carried out in accordance with the plans and specifications submitted  ...  view the full minutes text for item 273