Agenda item
Lycee International De Londres, 54 Forty Lane, Wembley, HA9 9LY (Ref. 15/4140)
Decision:
Minded to refuse planning permission due to the siting, height and design of the building and associated impact on the setting of and views to the Listed Building; and due to the insufficient level of information regarding the siting of the re-located bus stop and cage and failure to demonstrate this will not impact on pedestrian and highway safety.
Minutes:
PROPOSAL:
Erection of a part basement building fronting Forty Lane to house a five lane swimming pool and studio with a green roof and associated works to include courtyard entrance, security gates, cycle parking, demolition and reinstatement of retaining wall, landscaping and installation of PV panels on the roof of the new Annex building.
RECOMMENDATION: Grant planning permission subject to conditions as set out in the draft decision notice.
David Glover (Area Planning Manager) outlined the proposal and in reference to the tabled supplementary report addressed the issues raised at the site visit. Members heard that community access was being proposed for the new swimming pool for which an additional condition for a community access plan with full access details was being recommended. He added that as agreed with the Highways section, a car park management plan requiring the car park to be open for community use during weekends would be a condition of any forthcoming consent. He reported on the applicant’s discussions with Transport for London (TfL) regarding the relocation of the bus stop and shelter and provided an update on the crossing on Forty Lane/The Paddocks. The Area Planning Manager continued that due to their proximity to the swimming pool building, the existing memorial trees to the front of the building would have to be removed. Alternatively, two new memorial trees could be planted in the lower landscape terrace of the site and added that if members wished to pursue this option then condition 9 would be updated as set out in the supplementary report.
In respect of the impact of the proposal on the setting of the listed building, David Glover explained that following pre-application consultations, both Historic England and the 20th Century Society had concluded that the swimming pool had been sensitively designed to respect the setting of the listed building. He added that the proposed 1.4m set back of the swimming pool building from the back edge of the pavement and its height, being at the same level as the car park, had been sought to improve the relationship to the street and was considered appropriate.
Andrew Murdock and Chris Picketts (applicant’s agents) were present to answer members’ questions on the proposal. In response to questions about the location of the bus stop and its impact on vehicles turning into The Paddocks, Andrew Murdock stated that the relocation of the bus stop had been agreed with TfL, subject to further detail design to determine the exact location. He continued that when TfL had decided on the exact location, the impact of the proposal on cars turning into The Paddocks could be further assessed.
Chris Picketts informed members that the location of the swimming pool had been selected as there was no other suitable stretch of open space within the site to accommodate it as other locations may affect neighbouring properties and the setting of the Paul Daisley Hall. He stressed that they had looked at alternative taking into account disability and cost profile and that this was the best solution for the proposal. He continued that the applicant would make the car parking spaces available to local primary school for community use and would consider requests for weekday parking also.
The ensuing discussions reflected members’ concerns on the design, location of the proposed development, relocation of the bus shelter and the impact of the proposal on the listed building and streetscene. Members were therefore minded to refuse the application contrary to officers’ recommendation. Voting on the recommendation for approval was recorded as follows:
FOR: None (0)
AGAINST: Councillors Marquis, Agha, Choudhary, Colacicco,
Ezeajughi, Mahmood, Maurice and Mili Patel (8)
ABSTENTION: None (0)
DECISION: Minded to refuse planning permission due to the siting, height and design of the building and associated impact on the setting of and views to the Listed Building; and due to the insufficient level of information regarding the siting of the re-located bus stop and shelter and failure to demonstrate this will not impact on pedestrian and highway safety.
Supporting documents:
- 5-French School Forty Lane Wembley HA9, item 6. PDF 881 KB
- 5 Supplementary Lycee International, item 6. PDF 97 KB