Agenda item
Asquith Court Schools, 9 The Ridgeway, Harrow, HA3 0LJ (12/3238)
- Meeting of Planning Committee, Wednesday 22 May 2013 7.00 pm (Item 4.)
- View the background to item 4.
Decision:
(a) Granted planning permission, subject to an appropriate form of Agreement in order to secure the measures set out in the Section 106 Details section of this report, or
(b) If within a reasonable period the applicant fails to enter into an appropriate agreement in order to meet the policies of the Unitary Development Plan, Core Strategy and Section 106 Planning Obligations Supplementary Planning Document, to delegate authority to the Head of Area Planning, or other duly authorised person, to refuse planning permission.
Minutes:
PROPOSAL: Construction of 2 x vehicular accesses onto Draycott Avenue to provide 'entrance' and 'exit' to serve new hardstanding for six on-site parking spaces and parent drop-off zone, pergoda, re-location of lamp post, alterations to landscaping and play areas and other associated alterations. |
RECOMMENDATION: (a) Grant planning permission, subject to an appropriate form of Agreement in order to secure the measures set out in the Section 106 details section of this report, or (b) If within a reasonable period the applicant fails to enter into an appropriate agreement in order to meet the policies of the Unitary Development Plan, Core Strategy and Section 106 Planning Obligations Supplementary Planning Document, to delegate authority to the Head of Area Planning, or other duly authorised person, to refuse planning permission.
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Rachel McConnell, Area Planning Manager in reference to the tabled supplementary report, informed the Committee that additional issues raised including loss of playspace and loss of soft landscaping had been addressed in the main report. She then reported on the view from the Council’s Transportation officers in relation to the level of congestion during the peak rush hour and the number of vehicles that the proposed drop-off could accommodate as amplified in the supplementary report. Members heard that on balance, it was considered by the Council's Transportation officers that any off-street drop-off facility would help to reduce instances of on-street parking on yellow lines around the Ridgeway/Draycott Avenue junction. She therefore reiterated the recommendation for approval subject to conditions.
In accordance with the Planning Code of Practice, Councillor Kansagra, ward member stated that he had been approached by residents about the application. Councillor Kansagra stated that the loss of playground to accommodate the proposal would not only have a detrimental impact on the education of the school pupils but also give rise to traffic congestion as parents drove in and out of the school. He added that as Draycott Avenue was heavily parked, the traffic conditions in the area including The Ridgeway would worsen as a result of the proposal. Councillor Kansagra felt that the traffic management plan would not be able to resolve the situation that would ensue.
In response to members’ questions on how best to address the situation, Councillor Kansagra expressed a view that the imposition of parking controls principally, an ‘unhappy hour’ between 10:00-11:00 and 15:00-16:00 hours would assist in resolving the traffic conditions.
In accordance with the Planning Code of Practice, Councillor BM Patel, ward member stated that he had been approached by residents about the application. Councillor BM Patel spoke in endorsement of the views expressed by Councillor Kansagra.
In the discussion that followed, Councillor Cummins stated that the proposal which would lead to loss of play space would not only result in traffic congestion but also a detrimental impact on the children’s education. He added that the Council’s standards on nursery play areas could be applied. This view was also shared by Councillor Baker.
In responding to concerns raised, Rachel McConnell stated that as it was a private nursery the Council was limited in what it could do as there are no planning standards for nursery play space. She added that although The Ridgeway was heavily parked, the safety aspects of the proposal identified meant that the proposal would provide a safer environment. Steve Weeks, Head of Area Planning added that each specific issue raised had been tested with advice from Transportation and reported to Committee.
DECISION: Planning permission granted as recommended. |
Supporting documents: