Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Johnson.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Johnson.

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

There were no declarations of interest.

There were no declarations of interest.

(a) Wednesday 07 August 2024

(b) Wednesday 16 October 2024

RESOLVED:-

That the minutes of the previous meetings be approved as accurate records of the meetings.

RESOLVED:-

That the minutes of the previous meeting held on Wednesday 07 August 2024 be approved as an accurate record of the meeting.

Granted planning permission subject to:

·       The conditions and informatives as set out in the main Committee report, as updated within the supplementary report.

·       Stage 2 referral to the Mayor of London along with the prior completion of a satisfactory s106 legal agreement to secure the planning obligations as detailed within the report.

PROPOSAL

Demolition of existing buildings and structures and erection of up to seven buildings ranging in height from 5 to 15 storeys to provide purpose built student accommodation (Sui Generis use), light industrial (Use Class E(g)(iii) and cafe (Use Class E(a)) floorspace, car and cycle parking, amenity space (internal & external), new public realm, landscaping, alterations to vehicular access, highway works and other associated works. (REVISED plans and supporting technical information received).

RECOMMENDATION

That the Committee resolve to GRANT planning permission subject to:

(1)  The conditions and informatives as set out in the main Committee report; and

(2)  Stage 2 referral to the Mayor of London along with the prior completion of a satisfactory s106 legal agreement to secure the planning obligations as detailed within the report.

Gary Murphy (Principal Planning Officer) introduced the planning application committee report, detailing the proposal to demolish all existing buildings and develop two parcels of land situated both to the north and south of Fifth Way, Wembley, as purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) buildings, together with light industrial floorspace and a café.

The proposed PBSA was to be accommodated in seven buildings ranging in height from 5 to 15 storeys (Sui Generis use), 1,232sqm of light industrial floorspace (Use Class E(g) (iii) and a 100sqm café (Use Class E). In association with this, it was proposed to provide ancillary communal facilities for students, internal and external amenity space, hard and soft landscaping, new public realm, alterations to existing vehicular access, highways works and other associated works.

A total of 759 student bedrooms was proposed, comprising of 192 x cluster units and 567 x studio units. A minimum of 50% of these bedrooms (379 bedrooms) would be provided as affordable student accommodation. Provision of 609 cycle parking spaces was also proposed, along with on-site servicing facilities and disabled parking spaces.

Attention was drawn to the supplementary report, detailing further representations received after the publication of the committee report, corrections and clarifications to the published report, and the conditions and informatives outlined in the main committee report as updated within the supplementary report.

The Chair thanked Gary Murphy for introducing the report. As there were no Committee questions raised at this point, the Chair then invited Roya Latif (who had registered to speak as an objector) to address the Committee in relation to the application, who highlighted the following points:

• The Edge site comprised an elongated parcel of land which was approximately 0.6 ha in size and historically formed part of the railway line. The southern part of the site adjacent to Latif House measured approximately 1300 sqm and 20m in width.

• The proposals comprised the erection of buildings up to 15 storeys, providing 735 student bedrooms alongside 1,377 sq. m of light industrial space and a small café (class E). The southern part of the site comprised three buildings accommodating a café, student housing, and student amenity space, each measuring approximately 48m in height.

• The buildings were located to the east of the site, immediately adjoining the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

The Chair exercised his casting vote to grant planning permission subject to:

·       The conditions and informatives as set out in the main Committee report.

·       Stage 2 referral to the Mayor of London along with the prior completion of a satisfactory s106 legal agreement to secure the planning obligations as detailed within the report.

PROPOSAL

Demolition of existing hotel building and community centre and erection of a part 6, part 8 and part 10 storey 318 room aparthotel plus basement accommodation with associated ancillary facilities, community floorspace (Use Class F1/F2), servicing, landscaping and cycle and refuse storage.

RECOMMENDATION

That the Committee resolve to GRANT planning permission subject to:

(1)  The conditions and informatives as set out in the main Committee report; and

(2)  Stage 2 referral to the Mayor of London along with the prior completion of a satisfactory s106 legal agreement to secure the planning obligations as detailed within the report.

James Mascall (Career Grade Planning Officer) introduced the planning application committee report, detailing the proposal for the demolition of existing hotel building and community centre and erection of a part 6, part 8 and part 10 storey 318 room aparthotel plus basement accommodation with associated ancillary facilities, community floorspace (Use Class F1/F2), servicing, landscaping and cycle and refuse storage. Attention was drawn to the supplementary report which set out the receipt of an additional petition containing 10 letters of support which referenced the economic benefits and design of the scheme from properties along High Road, following the publication of the committee report. Minor alterations and corrections to the main report were also detailed within the supplementary report.

The Chair thanked James Mascall for introducing the report and then invited Simon Fowler (who had registered to speak as the applicant’s representative) to address the Committee in relation to the application, who highlighted the following points:

• The redevelopment proposals had initially been discussed with officers of the Council in 2020, focusing on the masterplanning of the site and surrounding area, and exploring various options.

• A number of workshops had been conducted to identify how the area could transition over time. Once these principles were embedded within the local plan, it was noted that positive meetings had been subsequently held with the Council’s planning team & design officers.

• The applicant’s representative highlighted that the collaborative approach between teams guided the process, resulting in numerous iterations of the scale and transitions of massing within the development and to adjacent properties. Efforts were made to minimise impacts on neighbours and ensure that the comprehensive masterplan anticipated in the site allocation could continue to progress.

• Simon Fowler expressed that the proposed scheme was designed to respond to the changing character of Wembley town centre, with the height and mass being transitional to the scheme to the south at 6 St. Johns Road, which Members first resolved to grant in April 2022. It was noted that throughout the application, it was demonstrated that a tall building on this site was contextually appropriate, with no substantial harmful short-term effects, and that the scheme aligned with the anticipated masterplanned redevelopment.

• In detailed terms, Simon Fowler further emphasised that significant efforts were made regarding materiality, the façade of the building, and creating an active frontage. Collaboration with officers had focused on integrating the scheme into the townscape, including revisions to servicing and the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

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

There was no other urgent business.

There was no other urgent business.