Agenda, decisions and minutes

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Members are invited to declare at this stage of the meeting, the nature and existence of any relevant disclosable pecuniary or personal interests in the items on this agenda and to specify the item(s) to which they relate.

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There were no declarations of interest made by Committee Members.

To approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on Wednesday 17 January 2024 as a correct record of the meeting.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the previous meeting, held on Wednesday 17 January 2024, be approved as a correct record of the meeting.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the previous meetings held on Wednesday 17 January 2024 be approved as a correct record of the meeting.

Having noted the information provided by officers and the supplementary report, Planning Committee RESOLVED to enter into a Deed of Variation under Section 106A of the Planning Act to vary the Section 106 agreement associated with the planning application reference 22 / 2225, and delegate authority to the Head of Planning and Development to agree the wording of the Deed.

PROPOSAL

Deed of Variation to the Deed of Agreement dated 3^rd May 2023 under Section 106 under the Town and Country Planning Act, as amended, in relation to planning application reference 22 / 2225 to demolish the existing building and construct a building of part 13 storeys, part 17 storeys with purpose build student accommodation, communal facilities, flexible non-residential floor space (Class E), cycle parking, landscaping and associated works.

RECOMMENDATION:

i)          That the Committee resolve to enter into a Deed of Variation under Section 106A of the Planning Act to vary the Section 106 agreement associated with planning application reference 22 / 2225 and delegates authority to the Head of Planning and Development to agree the wording of the Deed of Variation.

ii)         The Deed of Variation would secure changes to the obligations secured through the legal agreement to require the payment of a financial contribution of £2.224 million (indexed from date of decision) towards the provision of additional low-cost rented Affordable Housing (within Use Class C3) and would remove the requirement to provide on-site Affordable Student Accommodation.

Victoria McDonagh, Development Management Area Manager for North Planning Team, introduced the report and set out the key issues. Members were advised that the application the proposal related to had been subject to a Section 106 Agreement that secured a number of obligations, and the matter presented to Committee related to a deed of variation to make changes to some of those obligations. The changes would include the removal of the requirement to provide any on-site student bed spaces at affordable rent levels, and instead secure the provision of an off-site affordable housing payment in lieu, of £2.224m. This payment in lieu was to be used for the provision of the off-site delivery of additional low-cost affordable housing within the Council’s administrative area. The variation would also mean there would be associated changes to the early-stage review mechanism and the introduction of a late stage review mechanism to require a further payment in lieu towards off-site provision of affordable housing in the event that viability improved.

The Committee’s attention was drawn to the supplementary report which summarised comments received from the Greater London Authority (GLA) on the proposed changes as part of the Deed of Variation.

The Chair thanked Victoria McDonagh for introducing the report. As there were no Committee questions raised at this point, the Chair invited Mr Steve Harrington (applicant) to address the Committee in relation to the application.

The following key points were highlighted:

·                The applicant began by informing the Committee that the Phase 2 Scheme had passed through the Mayor of London’s Office.

·                There had been a worsening of market conditions since consent was first secured in May 2023, and there was a need to make the changes being proposed in order to guarantee the overall delivery of the scheme, which would be unviable if the changes were not made.

·                A viability assessment had been submitted and fully scrutinised by Brent Council Officers and advisers. A range  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

Notice of items to be raised under this heading must be given in writing to the Head of the Chief Executive and Member Services or her representative before the meeting in accordance with Standing Order 60.

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