Agenda item
Argenta House, Argenta Way, London, NW10 0AZ (Ref. 18/4847)
Decision:
DECISION: Granted planning permission as recommended with reference in the parking permit restriction clause to remove the rights for occupants within the development to not be entitled to parking permits within the existing Wembley Stadium Event Day CPZ and any future all year CPZ.
Minutes:
PROPOSAL: Demolition of the existing two storey building (Use class B1) and redevelopment to provide a 24-storey building comprising 130 residential dwellings (37 x 1bed, 75 x 2bed and 18 x 3bed) with associated car and cycle parking, provision for bin stores, landscaping and ancillary works (revised description)
RECOMMENDATION: To GRANT planning permission subject to:
Referral to the Mayor of London (stage 2 referral)
The prior completion of a legal agreement to secure the planning obligations set out within the Committee reports.
That the Head of Planning be granted delegated authority to negotiate the legal agreement indicated above.
That the Head of Planning be granted delegated authority to issue the planning permission and impose conditions and informatives to secure the matters set out within the Committee reports.
That the Head of Planning be granted delegated authority to make changes to the wording of the Committee’s decision (such as to delete, vary or add conditions, informatives, planning obligations or reasons for the decision) prior to the decision being actioned, provided that the Head of Planning is satisfied that any such changes could not reasonably be regarded as deviating from the overall principle of the decision reached by the Committee nor that such change(s) could reasonably have led to a different decision having been reached by the Committee.
That, if by the “expiry date” of this application (subject to any amendments/extensions to the expiry date agreed by both parties) the legal agreement has not been completed, the Head of Planning be granted delegated
authority to refuse planning permission.
Ms Victoria McDonagh (Development Management Team Leader) introduced the report and answered Members’ questions. She informed Members that the proposal which would replace a poor quality commercial plot with a modern high density development would complement the scale of the neighbouring Wembley Point building. With acceptable layout, height, design, massing and protected views the proposal would deliver 27% affordable housing with early and late stage viability reviews which would be secured by S106 legal agreement. Clarification was provided regarding the amount of external amenity space which would be below policy levels, but a good standard of accommodation was considered to be provided. The access arrangements to the brook side garden were also discussed.
Mr Anthony Sturgess an objector enquired as to whether the proposal was up to date the new regulations regarding cladding and fire. He added that as parking in the area was mainly drop off and pick up, there was no need to introduce controlled parking restrictions.
Messrs Nick Francis, David Roach and David Bennett (architect, planning agent and applicant) addressed the Committee and answered Members’ questions. Members heard that the proposal would deliver landmark homes and provide a transformative change to the area. Mr Francis outlined the key benefits of the scheme including environmental benefits, delivery of new homes which complied with GLA requirements including play space and shared amenities and 27% affordable housing with early and late stage reviews. He added that key agencies including Environment Agency and Transport for London were engaged in the consultation. In response to the objector’s enquiry, Mr Francis stated that a Cladding Consultant had advised on the use of non-combustible material to ensure that the scheme complied with up to date fire regulations.
During question time, members raised issues relating to affordable housing, design of the project for the disabled, height of the scheme and parking in the area.
The agents responded that the affordable housing level far exceeded the level required by the Council’s independent viability assessment. It was added that the proposal would have a 24hour concierge system and that while full access to the brook side area could not be provided due to levels within the site, platform for access parts of this area were incorporated into the design. In respect of the height, Members were informed that the scheme would be similar if not lower in height than some other future developments within the area. It was added that the parking configuration was limited by the constraints of the site and whilst there were no proposals to dramatically alter the road scheme, the location was well suited to a car free development due to the site’s high PTAL rating and the encouragement for use of car clubs on site. The applicant’s transport consultant outlined measures to improve the existing roundabout to ensure adequate turning room for vehicles.
Officers added that there were on-going discussions with TfL on contribution towards transport improvements and in addition, tools were available to respond to future demands. It was also added that the proposed development accorded with relevant planning policies and the NPPF.
In welcoming the application, Members took note that the proposal would give rise to parking issues particularly on Wembley event days. With that in view, they added a further condition to restrict parking permit and remove the rights for occupants within the development to not be entitled to parking permits within the existing Wembley Stadium Event Day CPZ and any future all year CPZ
DECISION: Granted planning permission as recommended with reference in the parking permit restriction clause to remove the rights for occupants within the development to not be entitled to parking permits within the existing Wembley Stadium Event Day CPZ and any future all year CPZ.
(Voting on the decision was unanimous).
Supporting documents: