Issue - meetings

With reference to the tabled supplementary information, the Head of Area Planning Steve Weeks drew members’ attention to the list of additional objections received from the following; Brian Coleman (London Assembly Member for Barnet & Camden), Councillor Dunwell (Queensbury Ward), Preston Amenities Protection Association (PAPA) and the British Waterways Board.  The objections included the following: negative impact of the proposal on local residents and infrastructure of the Welsh Harp area, loss of valuable Metropolitan Open Land (MOL), traffic congestion in and around the junction of Birchen Grove and Blackbird Hill particularly on Wembley Event days.  He also drew members’ attention to the list of objections from Brent School Without Walls which had been restated in the tabled supplementary. 

The Head of Area Planning then clarified the reasons for recommending an amendment to reason 1 for refusal as set out in the tabled supplementary to reflect the intentions of The London Plan policy 3D.9.  He also recommended an additional reason for refusal as set out in the supplementary report to reflect the lack of a signed legal agreement between the applicant and the Council.

Councillor Navin Shah (Harrow Council and Assembly Member) in welcoming the recommendation for refusal stated that the application which constituted an unacceptable form of development on Metropolitan Open Land (MOL) failed to comply with The London Plan policies.  Being in close proximity to a Site of Specific Special interest, the proposal would adversely impact on the wildlife and the quality of life of local residents.  Councillor Shah considered the quality of the development to be of substandard nature which he added would fail to provide adequate garden space and thus adversely affect the residential amenity for future occupiers of the development.

In accordance with the provisions of the Planning Code of Practice, Councillor Singh, a ward member stated that he had been approached by local residents in connection with this application.  Councillor Singh started by saying that the site of the proposed development being located on MOL would be in breach of UDP and LDF policies particularly in an area such as Brent which was deficient in public open and green spaces.  The proposal would endanger a variety of wildlife and breeding birds in an area which was listed as a site of special scientific interest by the Nature Conservancy Council.  Councillor Singh added that the development would have a detrimental impact on the residents of Birchen Grove and adjoining  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5