Agenda item
MAHATMA GANDHI HOUSE, 34 Wembley Hill Road, Wembley, HA9 8AD (Ref. 15/4714)
Decision:
Granted planning permission as recommended, minor amendments as discussed in the supplementary report and the inclusion of a CPZ contribution and under Section 278 works, any revisions to the lay by in front of the site to accommodate a disabled parking bay in the Section 106 legal agreement and subject to the applicant agreeing with officers the material pallets to enhance the design.
Minutes:
PROPOSAL: Demolition of existing office building and redevelopment to the site to provide a part 10 and part 21 storey building from podium level with 1,416sqm of A1 floor space and 133sqm of flexible A1, A2 and A3 floor space on the ground floor and 198 residential units (use class C3) above with car parking, communal and private amenity space, public realm improvements, landscaping and other associated works (revised description).
RECOMMENDATION: Grant planning permission subject to the stage 2 referral to the Mayor of London and to the completion of a satisfactory Section 106 or other legal agreement and delegate authority to the North Area Planning Manager or other duly authorised person to agree the exact terms thereof on advice from the Chief Legal Officer, subject to the conditions set out in the Draft Decision Notice.
David Glover (Area Planning Manager) outlined the scheme and referencing the supplementary report responded to issues raised at the site visit. He confirmed that trees that would lost as a result of the development were of low quality and life expectancy of between 10 and 20 years. He clarified details of the cantilevered upper floors which had been incorporated as a design feature and added that the setback from the carriage way would provide significant improvements to the public realm. Officers considered that the proposals would improve rather than detract from the streetscene. He then clarified the provision for disabled parking and the applicant’s contribution towards controlled parking zones (CPZ) and drew members’ attention to a number of minor amendments to conditions 8, 11 and 24 as set out in the supplementary report.
Raoul Veevers (applicant’s agent) was present to answer queries raised by members. He informed members that 13 quality replacement trees would be planted which would be well managed to ensure that they grew in a better environment. He added that the applicant would submit an event day management plan for the red car park and that further discussions would take place with officers on the disabled bay. He continued that the design of the development had been agreed with officers to the highest quality standard and that the materials to be used would be a subject of planning condition.
In response to members’ questions, David Glover stated that the density of the proposed development was appropriate within the location which was characterised by tall buildings. He added that the grant of planning permission as recommended was unlikely to set a precedent for a similar development in the area. John Fletcher (Development Control, Highways) clarified the basis of the CPZ contribution and added that the proposed 3 year period for contribution could be reviewed by the Committee.
In endorsing the recommendation and the minor amendments to conditions as set out in the supplementary report, members added the inclusion of a CPZ contribution and s278 works in the Section 106 legal agreement.
DECISION: Granted planning permission as recommended, minor amendments as discussed in the supplementary report and the inclusion of a CPZ contribution and under Section 278 works, any revisions to the lay by in front of the site to accommodate a disabled parking bay in the Section 106 legal agreement and subject to the applicant agreeing with officers the material pallets to enhance the design.
Voting: (For 7 ; Against 1 ; Abstention: 0)
Supporting documents: