Agenda and minutes

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Noted.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Basu, Beacham and Mallett. 

Councillor Christophides was in attendance as a substitute for Councillor Basu.

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 14 below.

None.

None.

To confirm and sign the minutes of the Planning Sub Committee held on 13 November 2017.

RESOLVED

·         That the minutes of the Planning Committee held on 13 November 2017 be approved.

Proposal: Demolition of existing structures and redevelopment of the site to provide 3 no. family sized dwellings (over two levels) and associated refuse shelters, cycle parking and additional landscaping (2nd AMENDED PROPOSAL, Revision E: relocation of Houses 2 and 3, obscure glazing to rear of House 3, levelling off site ground level, relocation of House 2 lighwell to avoid Root Protection Zone of Tree 004)

Recommendation: GRANT, subject to conditions.

The Committee considered an application for the demolition of existing structures and redevelopment of the site to provide 3 no. family sized dwellings (over two levels) and associated refuse shelters, cycle parking and additional landscaping (2nd AMENDED PROPOSAL, Revision E: relocation of Houses 2 and 3, obscure glazing to rear of House 3, levelling off site ground level, relocation of House 2 lightwell to avoid Root Protection Zone of Tree 004).

The Planning Officer gave a short presentation highlighting the key aspects of the report.

Kenny Jones addressed the Committee in objection to the application.  He owned the recording studio next to the land, and the access road leading up to it.  He submitted to the Committee that the application was in contravention of the planning policies DM1 and DM2.  He stated that there would be a detrimental effect to his business, as any structural or building works would impact on clients’ ability to carry out any recordings in the studio.  He requested that the Committee took into account the comments of the Fire Authority, who had indicated that they were not satisfied with the access to the properties.

Simon Fedida addressed the Committee in objection to the application.  He requested that the Committee refuse the application, due to the damage that it would cause to Mr Jones’ business, the poor design of the site (the creation of a gated community with poor access), the potential loss of light to gardens from boundary planting, and the damage to a conservation area.

Councillor Mitchell addressed the Committee in objection to the application.  He suggested that building within the Wood Green Conservation Area was in contravention of planning policy DM9.  There had been previous refusals of applications at the site on the basis of loss of open space and the impact on visual amenity.  The proposal was for modern style housing which was not in keeping with the traditional housing in the surrounding roads.

Councillor Wright addressed the Committee in objection to the application.  The site was in the Wood Green Conservation Area, and previous appeals to refusals had been upheld on this basis, which should provide the Committee with a strong argument for refusing the application.  There were a number of approved applications which would provide thousands of homes, and it was unnecessary to allow an application which was in contravention to the planning policy for only three homes.

The Committee noted the following in response to their comments and questions:

-           The previous application was for a different site area, which would have been more prominent and overdeveloped.  The site for this application was not visible from the public realm, and there had been a lot of thought put into the architecture to ensure it fits in with the local area.

-           Ownerships issues were not a material planning consideration, however, the applicant would not be permitted to use the access road to the site without the permission of the landowner.

-           There would be no parking on the site,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 154.

Proposal:

The redevelopment of site to provide a part 5, part 7 and part 8 storey building comprising 2,500m² of commercial floorspace, 209 residential units, and a 136 bed hotel.

The scheme is currently being revised following comments received in a recent follow-up pre-application meeting with officers and a Quality Review Panel presentation. The revised scheme includes variations to the design detailing, housing mix and preferred layout options, and retail scale and frontage design.

NB: The plans attached to this report show the current scheme iteration and the amended plans will be presented in more detail by the developer’s architects on the evening of the planning sub-committee meeting.

The Planning Officer and representatives for the applicant gave a short presentation on early plans for the scheme. 

The Committee noted the following response to their comments and questions:

-           The developers had been mindful of not creating small pockets of spaces where it may encourage anti-social behaviour.  It was hoped that the openness of the courtyard, the lighting, and the A3 unit would prevent this.

-           Part of the balconies would be dedicated as winter gardens to allow for better use.  For the properties without balconies, there would be adequate shared amenity space.

-           There was already an operator interested in developing the hotel, which demonstrated the level of demand in the area.

The Chair thanked all for attending.

The Planning Officer and representatives for the applicant gave a short presentation on early plans for the scheme. 

The Committee noted the following response to their comments and questions:

-           Parking would not be provided for the 27 flats, however there would be three disabled spaces in line with the guidance, and one space per house.  There was existing permission in place for two houses each with a parking space, so the amended proposal would include one additional space for the third house.

-           The balconies would be covered with obscured glass.

The Chair thanked all for attending.

To advise of major proposals in the pipeline including those awaiting the issue of the decision notice following a committee resolution and subsequent signature of the section 106 agreement; applications submitted and awaiting determination; and proposals being discussed at the pre-application stage.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

To advise the Planning Committee of decisions on planning applications taken under delegated powers for the period 27 November 2017 – 29 December 2017.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

To consider any items admitted at item 4 above.

None.

29 January 2017

29 January 2018