Issue - meetings

Granted planning permission subject to:

(1)       The applications referral to the Mayor of London (Stage 2 referral) and the prior completion of a satisfactory Section 106 legal agreement to secure the planning obligations as detailed within the main committee report.

(2)       The conditions and informatives, as set out in the main and updated within the supplementary committee report.

PROPOSAL

Demolition of the existing building and erection of 2 buildings ranging from 3 to 9 storeys comprising student bed spaces and ancillary facilities with commercial floorspace on the ground floor. 

RECOMMENDATION

That the Committee resolve to GRANT planning permission subject to:

(1)      The prior completion of a s106 legal agreement to secure the planning obligations as detailed within the main committee report.

(2)      The conditions and informatives, as detailed in the committee report.

Lena Summers (Principal Planning Officer) introduced the report, detailing that the site sat at the western side of Cricklewood Broadway and was bordered by Longley Way to the north and Temple Road to the south.  The proposal was for the demolition of the existing Matalan building and the erection of two buildings ranging up to 9 storeys predominantly for purpose-built student accommodation housing 826 bed spaces alongside two commercial units; one along Cricklewood Broadway and a smaller unit along Longley Way.  The development comprised a private courtyard and a publicly accessed pedestrian street running north and south between the two blocks.

Attention was drawn to the Supplementary Report detailing revisions in the plans and elevations including a reduction in the massing of the building to the western side, as well as a revised roof profile, the enlargement of cycle storage, reduction of the post room and updated landscaping along Temple Road, which would allow retention of the existing parking alignment.

The Chair thanked Lena Summers for introducing the report.  As there were no Committee questions raised at this point, the Chair then moved on to the representatives who had registered to speak in relation to the application. 

The Chair advised that as he had been informed (prior to the meeting) that the first speaker Lauren McLaughlin (who had registered to speak online in support of the application) had been unable to join the meeting due to travel disruption we had asked for the representations submitted to be read out on her behalf by the Governance Team at the meeting with the following points highlighted:

• The Committee was advised that Lauren McLaughlin lived a few streets away from the current Matalan site, having resided in the area for 5 years and deeply cared about the future of the neighbourhood.

• Expressing her full support for the planning application for Stoll Square, she had felt the application represented a considered and thoughtful proposal that would significantly enhance the local area.

• Currently, the site was disused and run-down and was not felt to contribute anything positive to the community, having become a hotspot for littering and fly-tipping with the feeling of being neglected.

• In contrast, the new development included green spaces, environmentally conscious materials and public areas that local residents could actually use and enjoy.  It was felt the plans showed a real effort to create something modern, sustainable, and community focused with it highlighted that more green planting areas and better-designed public space was needed in the area.  It was pointed out this reflected not only the need to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5