Issue - meetings

Demolition of the existing buildings and construction of 9 new residential homes (4 x houses and 5 x flats) and 446sq.m of office (Use Class B1a) floorspace in a building extending to between 2 and 4 storeys in height and associated car parking, landscaping and infrastructure works

RECOMMENDATION: grant permission subject to conditions and subject to a s106 Legal Agreement.

The Committee considered a report on the application to grant planning permission for the demolition of the existing buildings on site and construction of 9 new residential homes (4 x houses and 5 x flats) and 446sq.m of office (Use Class B1a) floorspace in a building extending to between 2 and 4 storeys in height and associated car parking, landscaping and infrastructure works. 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 subject to a s106 Legal Agreement.

The planning officer gave a short presentation highlighting the key aspects of the report.

A number of objectors addressed the Committee and raised the following points:

·         Vehicular access would be via the car park to Coulsden Court which would become a busy access road and likely suffer from unauthorised parking as onsite parking provision for the scheme was insufficient at only 4 spaces and in consideration that surrounding roads were already heavily parked. The car park also had a restrictive covenant in place prohibiting access for vehicles over 16 tonnes.

·         Representatives from Metropolitan housing association which managed Coulsden Court proposed a number of additional conditions be imposed on the scheme including restrictions on unauthorised parking in Coulsden Court spaces, on deliveries etc.

·         Concerns were raised over the waste management strategy for the scheme, with the current arrangements in place only being of an informal nature.

·         Restrictions on noise and hours of operation of the commercial unit were requested and that local residents be consulted in the drafting of the Construction Management Plan.

·         Intensification of the use of the site including a fourfold increase in the number of people currently located there would cause disturbance to neighbouring properties including from increased noise levels. 

·         A four storey building onsite would result in overlooking from the windows and balconies facing onto the car park as well as reduced privacy and light to neighbouring properties.

·         The scale of the scheme was out of proportion to the current single storey building and for such a small site, with the applicant trying to cram in the maximum number of units. 

·         Traffic pressures in the area would increase.

·         Current views to Alexandra Palace would be lost.

·         Site security, health and safety and increased footfall were also identified as concerns.

Cllr Connor addressed the Committee as a local ward councillor and raised the following points:

·         The scheme would have a detrimental impact on the Conservation Area and greater regard should have been given to the conservation officer’s reservations about the scheme in this regard.

·         The density of the scheme was too high and would result in poor living standards for future residents.

·         There would be a reduction in light received to neighbouring properties and the communal gardens.

·         The application did not address the issue of the restricted covenant on Coulsden Court car park.

·         The four parking spaces proposed was insufficient for the number  ...  view the full minutes text for item 33