Issue - meetings

The erection of 3 single storey dwellings on the site previously occupied by lock up garages.

RECOMMENDATION: grant permission subject to conditions

The Committee considered a report, previously circulated, on the application to grant planning permission for land rear of 76 St James’s Lane, N10 3RD for the erection of 3 single storey three bedroom houses. 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. The Planning Officer gave a short presentation highlighting the key aspects of the report. It was identified that a previously refused scheme in 2010 had been subject to appeal before the Planning Inspector and had been dismissed.

The Committee expressed dissatisfaction over the format of the report, in particular the lack of inclusion of a table setting out in a clear way the objections received in relation to the application and the subsequent officer response. The Planning Officer agreed to incorporate this feature into future Committee reports. The Assistant Director for Planning, Regeneration and Economy summarised for the Committee officer responses to the objections submitted.

Cllr Bloch addressed the Committee in objection to the application and raised the following points:

·        The bulk and number of dwellings proposed for the site was unsuitable. It was considered that two houses would be more appropriate.

·        The design of the houses would be out of keeping with the surrounding area.

·        Concerns were expressed on the feasibility of constructing the new houses within the line of the old garages.

A number of objectors addressed the Committee with concerns regarding the application and made the following points:

·        The site was unsuitable for the number of dwellings proposed due to its size and constrained and undulating nature. There was general agreement that the site would more appropriately support two houses.

·        Concerns were raised on the suitability of the access road to support the development including the risks from the blind corner near the electricity sub-station and access for fire service and refuse vehicles.

·        The development would potentially exacerbate traffic problems in the area through an increase in vehicle movements.

·        The proposed design of the houses was not inkeeping with the adjoining Conservation Area.

·        Disturbance was likely to be caused to residential amenity of the flats bordering the site during the duration of the build.

·        The size of the gardens appeared to be small.

·        A lack of measurements had been provided on the plans.

The applicant’s representative addressed the Committee and raised the following points:

·        The current application addressed a number of the concerns raised from the last application and the subsequent appeal.

·        Although the gardens were non-standard being located to the front of the houses, they conformed to size standards for the size of house.

·        The current site constituted an eyesore.

A motion, which was carried, was put to defer determination of the report due to the lack of clear officer response to objections contained within the report and the absence of measurements on the plans which it was considered hindered Members ability to discharge their duty fully on  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11