Issue - meetings

Works to extend the operational railway station at White Hart Lane. Creation of a new station entrance, ticket hall, station facilities and station forecourt. Provision of a new pedestrian entrance from Penshurst Road. Improved access and lift access from street level to platforms, including the erection of new platform canopies. Demolition of the existing station entrance and 33 local authority owned garages. Enhanced public realm and cycle parking facilities. Improvements to the former station building. Plus associated 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 works to extend the operational railway station at White Hart Lane, the creation of a new station entrance, ticket hall, station facilities and station forecourt, provision of a new pedestrian entrance from Penshurst Road, improved access and lift access from street level to platforms, including the erection of new platform canopies, the demolition of the existing station entrance and 33 local authority owned garages, enhanced public realm and cycle parking facilities, improvements to the former station building plus associated 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. The attention of the Committee was drawn to a tabled addendum setting out a number of amendments to proposed conditions and informatives.

An objector to the application addressed the Committee and outlined his concerns regarding the impact of the closure of two existing staircases within the station, resulting in a detour for passengers entering from the west side and to the detriment of local businesses operating near the stairs. These consequences were contrary to Network Rail’s guidelines on station planning. A petition on this issue signed by 450 objectors had been submitted in 2014 as part of the High Road West consultation and had not been fully taken into account by the applicant, contrary to requirements in the Localism Act.

Representatives for the applicant addressed the Committee and outlined the benefits of the station reconfiguration including the significant investment in both transport and public realm improvements, creating greater footfall on Love Lane to reduce current anti-social behaviour issues, improved east-west permeability and step free platform access. On match day, the platform access changes would help reduce congestion and improve crowd management through the temporary closure of the Penshurst Road entrance, thereby funnelling passengers through one entrance and reducing queuing.

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

·         Clarification was sought on the new roof construction. The applicant advised that the structure would have a 5% pitch to the middle with a central gutter but would appear flat from street view.

·         Clarification was sought on the crowd modelling undertaken for match days particularly access routes for passengers entering from the north of the station. The applicant advised that the Penshurst Road entrance would be closed on match days to avoid crowds of pedestrian traffic on this road impacting on local residents. 

·         It was questioned whether refurbishment works would be undertaken to White Hart Lane road bridge as part of the project. Officers advised that improvements would be made under a Local Implementation Plan (LIP) public realm project running in parallel to the station project. The scoping of this project was being developed and details would be forwarded to Cllr  ...  view the full minutes text for item 32