Agenda and minutes

This meeting is scheduled to consider pre-application presentations to the Planning Sub-Committee and discussion of proposals.

Notwithstanding that this is a formal meeting of the Sub-Committee, no decisions will be taken at this meeting and any subsequent applications will be the subject of a report to a future meeting of the Sub-Committee in accordance with standard procedures.

The provisions of the Localism Act 2011 specifically provide that a councillor should not be regarded as having a closed mind simply because they previously did or said something that, directly or indirectly, indicated what view they might take in relation to any particular matter. Pre-application briefings provide the opportunity for Members to raise queries and identify any concerns about proposals.  

The Members’ Code of Conduct and the Planning Protocol 2014 continue to apply for pre-application meeting proposals even though Members will not be exercising the statutory function of determining an application. Members should nevertheless ensure that they are not seen to pre-determine or close their mind to any such proposal otherwise they will be precluded from participating in determining the application or leave any decision in which they have subsequently participated open to challenge.

This meeting was scheduled to consider pre-application presentations to the Planning Sub-Committee and discussion of proposals.

Notwithstanding that this was a formal meeting of the Sub-Committee, no decisions were taken at the meeting and any subsequent applications will be the subject of a report to a future meeting of the Sub-Committee in accordance with standard procedures.

Four infill sites:

·         Fenton Road Tottenham N17 7JQ

·         Connaught Lodge Stroud Green N4 4NR

·         Anderton Court Wood Green N22 7BE

·         Whitbread Close Tottenham N17 0YB

The applications constituted the second phase of the Council new build housing programme for infill sites across the borough.

Fenton Road N17 7JQ

·         Confirmation was provided that the area of cladding originally proposed to the ground floor façade of the units had now been removed in favour of matching brickwork.

·         A concern was raised that the 2 bed, 4 person unit did not provide sufficient long term flexibility to be considered a family unit. It was requested that a response be sought on this from the Housing Needs and Letting service.  

·         Discussions were held on the roof form. It was confirmed that changes were feasible to the design of the roofs to standardise the pitch to each block. This would have a degree of visual impact on the adjoining petrol station from the change from a flat to pitched design although fairly minimal as no windows were positioned on the closest flank.

·         It was confirmed that the development would have an impact on the gardens to adjacent Compton Crescent properties but was considered acceptable following a number of assessments that illustrated required standards would be met.

·         Dedicated storage units would be provided within the front curtilage of the properties for refuse bins.

Connaught Lodge, N4 4NR

·         Concerns were expressed that the dormer windows appeared over dominant to the design. The architect confirmed that the original design had incorporated a mansard roof but had been revised to a pitched roof with dormers design following concerns regarding overbearing. The mansard roof option would permit an increase to the number of units provided, with the top floor units extended from one to two bed flats. The Committee requested that the original mansard design plans be circulated for comment. Officers did however emphasise that officers would be required to make the final decision over which roof design to recommend inline with an assessment of the impact of the scheme on the Conservation Area.

·         In terms of potential overlooking to the rear including from the balconies, confirmation was provided that minimum separation distances would adhered to.

·         Views were sought on the inclusion of the proposed bungalow unit to the rear. In general, a strong opinion either way was not expressed although the benefit of an extra unit was recognised.

·         Consultation was underway with local residents regarding the potential for the resiting of the playground current onsite including seeking feedback on a number of option proposed by a landscape architect.

Anderton Court N22 7BE

·         The Committee considered that the number and quality of pictures of the proposed design were insufficient to allow them to be commented on and as such, that the application should be deferred to the next pre-application briefing.

·         It was advised that there was a degree of conflict in initial views as to whether the design should be bolder and more contemporary or traditional in style and which had yet to be resolved.

Whitbread Close N17 0YB  

·         A number of concerns were raised over the design including that it did not fit in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 33.

The Committee provided views on plans to redevelop the former Police Station building for residential use including side and rear extensions, a 4 storey pavilion block and 3 storey mews townhouses.

Officers cautioned that they had yet to consider the design submitted to the Design Panel, or the subsequently revised version incorporating changes to the roof design of the pavilion block in order to set back the accommodation to reduce massing towards the street. Officers had initial concerns that the pavilion block was not subservient to the Police Station building. A determination would need to be made by officers as to whether the proposed design preserved or enhanced the Conservation Area.

Cllr Rice requested that the plaque to the ID suite building marked for demolition from his formal opening of the building when Mayor be returned to him.

The Committee raised several concerns over the scheme:

·         The proposed density being in excess of London Plan standards. The applicant advised that they were seeking to optimise the site to secure the refurbishment of the Listed Building and that the density was fairly evenly distributed across the site based on habitable room calculations.

·         Affordable housing. Confirmation was provided that the applicant as a housing association would be seeking to maximise the number of affordable housing units. Confirmation was provided that the existing use value had been paid for the land.

·         The limited proposed parking provision. The applicant advised that the provision had been calculated based on projected demand and provision of a car club in the area. Priority for the spaces would be given to the family units.

·         The visual impact and potential overlooking from corner balconies to the pavilion block. It was advised that private amenity space was sought to all units, only two street fronting balconies were proposed and that consideration would be given to the materials used for the balustrades with respect to enhancing privacy.

15 December.

15 December.