Agenda item
Lanmor House, 370 High Road, Wembley, HA9 6AX (Ref. 15/0196)
Minutes:
PROPOSAL:
Erection of two additional storeys to provide 8 self-contained flats (7 x 2 bed and 1 x 1 bed) above the existing five storey office building(amended description)
RECOMMENDATION: Grant planning permission subject to conditions as set out in the draft Decision Notice.
Stephen Weeks (Head of Planning) introduced the report, outlined the proposal and with reference to the supplementary report circulated prior to the meeting, clarified the issues raised at the site visit. Members heard that the applicant’s agent had advised that some internalworks were being carried outin relation to the conversion ofthe building to residential following the grant of planning permission for external cladding. The Head of Planning added that the applicant would be advised by wayof an informative that ifthe planning permission was granted,works cannot commence on site untilthe priorapproval for the scheme currentlyunder construction hadbeen completed and occupied.
In terms of the height of the proposal, he informed members that whilstthe additionalstoreyswould change the appearance and scale ofthe building when viewed fromEcclestone Place,the building wasalreadyof a significantlydifferent scale and appearance and consequently was not considered to detractfromthe street scene. The impacton residentialamenitywould be modestgiven the setbackand as such officers considered that it would not result in a significantdetrimental impacton the occupiersof the residentialpropertiesto the rear. He added that the parking provision within the site significantlyexceededthe maximumstandards and drew members’ attention to an additional condition on parking arrangement and a revised condition on bin storage as set out in the supplementary report.
Jaine Lunn (an objector) stated that the proposed development, which would infringe the 45 degree line, would result in significant detrimental impact including noise nuisance, loss of sunlight and inadequate parking provision. She added that Ecclestone Place already suffered from inadequate parking which would be aggravated by the proposed scheme. Jaine Lunn continued that the inadequate bin storage facilities for the proposal, which offered no affordable housing, contravened the Council’s guidance.
Tony Allen (applicant’s agent) stated that the scheme which offered housing in the upper floors was considered acceptable in terms of its amenity space, reduced visual impact and hence no significant overbearing and over-looking would result. He added that as the parking provision was considered to be adequate, the Council’s Highways and Transportation Officers did not raise any concerns about the proposal.
Members then questioned the agent on a number of issues including clarity of the scheme, parking provision, the location of the bin storage and its visual impact. The applicant’s agent responded that the current application which was for internal works was quite separate from the previous scheme for the building granted under permitted development. He added that the car parking provision which had been reduced to facilitate servicing arrangements, exceeded current standard. He clarified that the location of the bin storage which was dictated by siting constraints would offer greater flexibility for the potential office occupiers.
In the discussion that followed, members generally agreed that the vicinity already suffered from parking problems and agreed to an additional condition for a section 106 legal agreement to restrict all residents’ permits only. They also agreed an additional recommendation requiring a relocation of the bin storage area.
DECISION:
Granted planning permission subject to conditions as set out in the Decision Notice, an additional condition on bin storage and a Section 106 legal agreement to restrict permit parking to residents only.
Supporting documents:
- 03 370 High Road Wembley HA9 6AX, item 3. PDF 777 KB
- 03 Supplementary Lanmor House Report, item 3. PDF 109 KB