Agenda and minutes

Apologies for lateness were received from Cllrs Beacham, Hare and Wilson.

The Chair will consider the admission of any late items of urgent business.  Late items will be considered under the agenda item where they appear.  New items will be dealt with at item 13 (unrestricted only) or agenda item 16 (exempt only).

There were no items of urgent business.

A member with a personal interest in a matter who attends a meeting of the authority at which the matter is considered must disclose to that meeting the existence and nature of that interest at the commencement of that consideration, or when the interest becomes apparent.

A member with a personal interest in a matter also has a prejudicial interest in that matter if the interest is one which a member of the public with knowledge of the relevant facts would reasonably regard as so significant that it is likely to prejudice the member's judgment of the public interest and if this interest affects their financial position or the financial position of a person or body as described in paragraph 8 of the Code of Conduct and/or if it relates to the determining of any approval, consent, licence, permission or registration in relation to them or any person or body described in paragraph 8 of the Code of Conduct.

There were no declarations of interest.

To consider receiving deputations and/or petitions in accordance with Part Four, Section B, Paragraph 29 of the Council’s Constitution.

None received.

To confirm and sign the Minutes of the Planning Committee meetings held on  8 December 2008 and 13 January 2009.

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the Planning Committee meetings held on 8 December 2008 and the 13 January 2009 be agreed and signed.

To advise the Committee on Appeal decision determined by the Department for Communities and Local Government during December 2008.

The Committee was asked to note the outcome of 6 appeal decisions determined by the Department for Communities and Local Government during December 2008 of 1 (17%) was allowed and 5 (83%) were dismissed.

The Committee was particularly asked to note that the appeal for Shaftesbury Hall, Herbert Road N11, the proposal was for a contemporary design and the Committee had refused the application.  The Inspector had agreed with the Committee’s view.

In relation to the appeal for North Middlesex Cricket Club, the inspector had felt that the application was more of a restaurant than a sports club and the appeal was dismissed.

RESOLVED

That the report be noted.

To inform the Committee of decision made under delegated powers by the Heads of Development Control (North & South) and the Chair of the above Committee between 22 December 2008 and 11 January 2009.

The Committee was asked to note the decision made under delegated powers by the Heads of Development Control (North and South) and the Chair of the Planning Committee between 22 December 2008 and 11 January 2009.

RESOLVED

That the report be noted.

To advise the Committee of Performance Statistics for Development Control and Planning Enforcement Action since the 13 January 2009 Committee meeting.

The Committee was asked to note the performance statistics on Development Control and Planning Enforcement since the 13 January 2009 Planning Committee meeting.

The Officer advised the Committee that in relation to major applications 1 out of 2 (50%) were determined within the time period.  Minor applications (65%) were determined within 8 weeks.  Other applications (87%) were above the government target but below the Haringey target.  In relation to the yearly performance:

• 89% of major applications were determined (17 out of 19 cases)
• 79% of minor applications were determined (306 out of 387cases)
• 91% of other applications were determined (971 out of 1072 cases)

The monthly performance for each of the categories was reflected in the graphs in the report.  The yearly performance was still at 40% above the target figures however, this would be reviewed as stated at the last Committee meeting on 13 January 2009.

In response to a query raised by Members the Committee was informed that the report detailed statistics supplied in relation to enforcement reflected the notices issued to two major projects, along with the statistics for normal enforcement action.

RESOLVED 

That the report be noted.

To confirm the following Tree Preservation Orders:

1. Rear garden 18 Cranley Gardens N10.

The Officer advised the Committee that the Council’s Arboriculturalist had reported that the tree was of amenity value, had good visibility from Ellington Road, appeared healthy for its age and its species contributed significantly to local bio-diversity.

RESOLVED

That the following Tree Preservation Order be confirmed against a tree located at:

1. Rear garden 18 Cranley Gardens N10.

Cllr Beacham entered the meeting at 7:05pm.

Extension, alterations and refurbishment to existing school buildings. 

RECOMMENDATION: Grant permission subject to conditions.

The Committee was advised that this was a BSF project number eleven out of twelve.  The Young People’s Centre (YPC), formerly known as the Pupil Support Centre was a former primary school.

The Officer presented the report to the Committee and advised that the current accommodation and facilities were inadequate and remodelling of the YPC was required to meet the specialised requirements of the children who attended the school.  Based on this, the proposed extension and refurbishment were considered necessary.  It was considered that the scale and massing of the proposed extension was acceptable.  It was further considered appropriate to increase the site coverage and overall density of the building within the site.  This would not have a detrimental impact on the surrounding visual amenity or the nearby Conservation Area.

Cllr Hare entered the meeting at 7:10pm.

The proposal would result in the loss of two small Cherry trees, not considered of significant value by the Arboriculturalist.  The scheme included the provision of an enlarged car parking area and service entrance from a separate gate on Finsbury Road.  The existing Centre had an active Travel Plan, which would be revised in line with the proposed development.  Fifteen cycle parking racks would also be required as part of development.

Cllr Demirci request that it be noted that the application was in his Ward.

The Chair advised the Committee that Cllr Hare could not vote on this application as consideration of the item had commenced prior to him entering the proceedings.

The Committee viewed the plans.

Members raised concerns in relation to fencing and requested that this be of an acceptable colour.  An informative was requested with regard to a drop off zone for parents to drop and collect pupils from the Finsbury Road entrance. A further informative was requested for permeable parking surfaces.  Members were further advised that the number of cycle racks could be increased when the travel plan was revised and this was agreed to be included as an informative. 

The Chair moved a motion to grant the application along with the three informatives, subject to conditions. 

RESOLVED

That the application be granted subject to conditions and the three additional informatives.

INFORMATION RELATING TO APPLICATION REF: HGY/2008/2203

FOR PLANNING COMMITTEE DATED 10/02/2009

Location: Pupil Support Centre, Commerce Road N22

Proposal: Extension, alterations and refurbishment to existing school building.

Recommendation: Grant subject to conditions

Decision: Grant subject to conditions

Drawing No’s: 1158.PSC.001 rev B, 002 rev B, 003 rev B, 004 rev A, 005 rev A; B501 rev 3, B502 rev 3, B600 rev 3, B601 rev 3, B602 rev 3, B603 rev 3; P001, P002, P003, P013 rev 4, P014 rev 4, P050, P051, P052 & P100.

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 the provisions of the Planning & Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 and to prevent the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 385.

Erection of rear extension to existing Shelton Hotel to create 3 levels of hotel accommodation, comprising 11 new hotel rooms with 5 extra car parking spaces.

RECOMMENDATION: Grant permission subject to conditions.

The Planning Officer informed the Committee that there were two tabled documents:

1. Eight letters of objections from local residents.
2. An email from Cllr Haley along with several blue photos.

The Committee was advised that the site was part of the ‘Ladder Area’ within Harringay Ward and the property was a 3 storey brick building located on the corner of Burgoyne Road and Wightman road, opposite Railway Approach. 

The current proposal was a reduction in the level of development following an earlier refusal that proposed to extend the hotel by creating four levels of accommodation comprising 18 additional hotel rooms and basement car park.  It was considered that the proposed design and alterations would not result in adverse amenity impact on adjoining properties and the local area in general.  Transportation did not object to the proposal as the hotel was close to good levels of public transport.

The Chair of the Ladder Community Safety Partnership addressed the Committee to object to the application for the following reasons:

• There were a large number of objections from individual local residents and no letters of support for the application.
• The hotel was a Victorian building poorly maintained.
• The entrance to the hotel was built without planning permission.
• The size and scale of the proposal would not enhance the area.
• There was concern that the proposal did not comply with building regulations.
• Concerns in relation to additional traffic and road safety of pedestrians.
• Concern regarding the water table and the construction of the underground car park.

The Committee was requested by the Chair of the partnership to reject the application for the reasons listed above.

A local resident addressed the Committee to object to the proposed scheme as the underground car park would encourage the use of car transport to the hotel, increase local traffic and aggravate and increase obstruction on the roads.  Within the proposal there was no provision to protect the pedestrian footway and the application represented a loss of amenity.  It was further contended that the operation of the car lift would cause noise nuisance to local residents.  The proposal was not in keeping with the area or style of the original building.

The applicant’s representative responded to the concerns raised by the objectors and informed the Committee that criticisms regarding traffic would not relate to the hotel as most of the guests did not arrive by car and there was no evidence that the area was congested by traffic and cars.

The building was a two star hotel and it was planned to increase standards to higher the rating.  The design of the application was in keeping with the existing building, the windows, brick and roof were to be matched in order that they did not resemble an extension.

The Committee queried where grey water would run from the premises and were informed in response that the hotel was on a hill and water would run through the drainage.  Concern was also raised in relation to the noise of the car  ...  view the full minutes text for item 386.

To consider any items admitted at item 2 above.

There were no new items of urgent business.

The following item is likely to be the subject of a motion to exclude the public and press from the meeting as it contains ‘exempt’ information as defined in Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, namely that it contains information relating to the business of financial affairs of any particular person (included the Authority holding that information).

RESOLVED

That the press and public be excluded from the meeting as Item 15 contained exempt information, as defined in Section 100a of the Local Government Act (1972) (as amended by Section 12A of the Local Government Act 1982); namely information relating to the business or financial affairs of any particular person (included the Authority holding that information).

To confirm and sign the exempt minutes of the Planning Committee meeting held on 13 January 2009.

The Committee was asked to agree the exempt minutes of the Planning Committee held on 13 January 2009.

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the meeting held on 13 January 2009 be agreed and signed.

To consider any new exempt items of urgent business admitted under agenda item 2.

There were no new exempt items of urgent business.

Monday 9 March 2009.

Monday 9 March 2009

The meeting concluded at 8:30pm.