Agenda item

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 with the Victorian housing in the area. The architect advised that although the design did not match existing buildings, it was within the context of the area including referencing roof pitches in the vicinity.

·         In response to a question, confirmation was provided that potentially the recessed balconies could be removed should the units be reconfigured into two houses whereby the ground floor amenity space would be sufficient.

It was requested that all future applications for flat developments coming for Committee for determination include a condition prohibiting the installation of satellite dishes.