Issue - meetings

(a)Grant Planning Permission, subject to an appropriate form of Agreement in order to secure the measures set out in the Section 106 as amended,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

Rachel McConnell, Area Planning Manager, confirmed that the external area at 6th floor of the proposed building would not be used as amenity space but rather for maintenance and emergency access only.  She therefore recommended imposition of a further condition as set out in the tabled supplementary report to restrict the use of that external area. Members noted that there was no standard contribution for hotel bedspace to mitigate the impacts of the development. Rachel McConnell stated that the section 106 financial contributions had been amended to provide training and employment for local residents and still ensure funding was available towards improvements in the local area including funding for highway improvements.

She then referred to the consultation and the responses received including those from QARA Group of Associations and added that the objections raised had been addressed within the remarks section of the committee report.  She advised that although Policy CP17 was not directly referred to in the report, full consideration was given to character of the surrounding area. Rachel McConnell also confirmed that the recent developments within the vicinity of the site were taken into consideration when assessing the impact of overspill parking on the adjoining highway.

Rachel McConnell confirmed that consultation letters were not sent to the properties in the adjoining borough of Harrow as detailed in the supplementary report and she advised that letters were to be sent with the revised consultation period expiring on 3 June 2011. It was requested that authority be delegated to the Head of Area Planning to consider any significant substantive issues raised in objection to the scheme following this additional consultation. In addition, Members were advised that a letter of objection had been received from the London Borough of Harrow stating that the building would detract from the character of the area.

Mr Robert Dunwell Chairman of QARA Group of Associations raised objections to the proposed development on the following grounds;

a)        Lack of on-site car parking spaces which would exacerbate traffic congestion and parking problems to the detriment of current and future residents in the nearby streets, the development under construction at 1-3 The Mall and the local Jewish Free School (JFS).

b)        No traffic and transport assessment had been conducted or  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6