Agenda item

Installation of a new entrance door to the south elevation of Marcus Garvey Library along with the associated external works

RECOMMENDATION: grant permission subject to conditions.

The Committee considered a report on the application to grant planning permission for the installation of a new entrance door to the south elevation of Marcus Garvey Library along with the associated external 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.

The planning officer gave a short presentation highlighting the key aspects of the report. It was updated that a further representation had been received since publication of the agenda but which did not raise any additional points requiring response.

A number of objectors addressed the Committee and raised the following points:

·         The new door would create a serious child safeguarding issue through providing a general access route through the children’s garden and adjacent to the children’s library leading to concerns over disruption and safety to families using the library.

·         The report was more concerned with safeguarding the tree onsite than children’s safety.

·         A large number of objections to the application had been made during the consultation period.

·         The plan was ill thought out and would only benefit Fusion as the applicant and not library users.

·         The scheme would remove a significant portion of the children’s garden and render the remainder unsafe as it would no longer be a safe, dedicated space for families to use accessed only via the children’s library. Proposed landscaping improvements to the garden would not make up for the space lost. 

·         The consultation undertaken had not been comprehensive, for example a lack of contact with the Bernie Grants Art Centre etc.

·         The application should be rejected on the grounds of impact on public amenity.

·         The new entrance would create an internal street within the library which would be problematic.

Cllr Carter addressed the Committee in his capacity as a ward councillor. At the prompt of the legal officer, he made a declaration that he was an active member of the Friends of Marcus Garvey Library group and as such would stand down from the Committee for the determination of this item. He then raised the following points:

·         A lack of consultation and engagement regarding the application had been carried out and no formal public consultation undertaken.

·         The new door was not a necessary part of the development and would become a ‘poor door’ for accessing the Customer Service Centre.

·         The scheme would cause disruption to library users during construction works and reduce library user space by half.

Cllr Diakides addressed the Committee as a local ward councillor and made the following objections:

·         The door was not justified, would create a disruptive thoroughfare and equated to unnecessary expenditure.

·         The scheme was unpopular with library users.

·         Multiple entrances to the library would make it difficult for security guards to patrol.

·         The impact on the children’s garden and library was unacceptable.

·         The tree to the rear was a very rare species and should be preserved.

Cllr Arthur addressed the Committee as the Cabinet Member for Resources and Culture as the Council was the freeholder of the land and raised the following points;

·         The importance of the library to local people was recognised.

·         The application would form part of plans linking the library to the wider regeneration plans for the Tottenham Green area including opening out of the approach road to the rear.

·         Investment was being made into the library including refurbishment and IT improvements to make it a civic hub.

·         The number of people using the future Customer Service Centre was forecast to be lower than that currently at Apex House due to the shift to online self service and movement of Housing Services to Wood Green.

·         No reduction would be made to the children’s library space.

·         CCTV would be installed in the library as well as a glass petition and gated access to the children’s library. Clear sight lines would remain from the reception desk to the children’s library.

·         The revamp of the ground floor of the library was to include installation of a removable floor to create flexibility in use.

·         The new access door aimed to minimise disruption in the future with the development of the public realm plans.

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

·         Further assurances were sought on the child safeguarding concerns raised by the objectors. Officers advised that although a Council safeguarding policy was in place in the library, the responsibility for supervision of children remained as currently with parents/carers and not library staff.

·         In response to questions regarding the children’s garden area, confirmation was provided that approximately two thirds of the children’s garden would be lost and that input would be sought from library users into the development of landscaping plans for the remaining area. In relation to the tree onsite, officers were satisfied with the arboriculturalist report and the proposals for its protection.

·         In response to a question, it was advised that wider regeneration plans for the area would likely come forward within the next year or two.

·         The potential for future relocation of the children’s library should any issues arise such as congestion etc was questioned. Clarification was provided that the ground floor would be of flexible use allowing the layout to be adapted if necessary.

·         Confirmation was provided that the ramp and revolving door would be available for library user use prior to the Customer Service Centre being installed in the longer term.

The Chair moved the recommendation of the report and it was

RESOLVED

·         That planning application HGY/2015/2325 be approved subject to 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 accumulation of unimplemented planning permissions.

2.         The development hereby authorised shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved plans and specifications:

2450,1002,2001,2201,2021,2211, 1001

Reason: In order to avoid doubt and in the interests of good planning.

3.         Prior to the commencement of any development hereby approved and before any equipment, machinery or materials are brought onto the site for the purposes of the development hereby approved, details of the measures for the protection of the cypress tree to comply with BS 5837: 2012 - Trees in relation to design, demolition and construction – Recommendations shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The works shall be carried out as approved and the protection shall be installed prior to the commencement of any development hereby approved and maintained until all equipment, machinery and surplus materials have been removed from the site. Nothing shall be stored or placed in any area fenced in accordance with this condition nor shall any fires be started, no tipping, refuelling, disposal of solvents or cement mixing carried out and ground levels within those areas shall not be altered, nor shall any excavation be made, without the written consent of the Local Planning Authority.

Reason: In order to ensure the safety and well being of the tree on the site during construction works that are to remain after building works are completed consistent with London Plan Policy 7.21, Policy SP11 of the Haringey Local Plan 2013 and Saved Policy UD3 of the Haringey Unitary Development Plan.

4.         No development shall commence until a scheme for new landscaping works   within the external area in the vicinity of the new ramp  and children’s garden area (including the timescale for planting and installation) has been submitted to and approved  in writing by the Local Planning Authority.  The development hereby permitted shall be implemented in accordance with the approved details.

Reason: In order to mitigate the impact of the proposed works on the children’s garden area consistent with, Policy SP16 of the Haringey Local Plan 2013.

Informatives:

INFORMATIVE 1:  The NPPF

In dealing with this application, Haringey Council has implemented the requirements of the National Planning Policy Framework and of the Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) (Amendment No.2) Order 2012 to foster the delivery of sustainable development in a positive and proactive manner.

INFORMATIVE 2: Hours of Construction Work:

The applicant is advised that under the Control of Pollution Act 1974, construction work which will be audible at the site boundary will be restricted to the following hours:-

- 8.00am - 6.00pm    Monday to Friday

- 8.00am - 1.00pm    Saturday

- and not at all on Sundays and Bank Holidays.