Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

There were no apologies for absence.

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.

In relation to Agenda Item 3: 24/2139  North Land Opposite GEC Pavilion, Pellatt Road, Wembley, HA9 8FB Councillor J Patel advised that as he had been approached by local residents and expressed a view regarding the application he would declare a personal disclosable interest clear and withdraw from the meeting for the consideration of that item.

In relation to Agenda Item 4: 24/2877 - 1 Walm Lane, London, NW2 5SN Councillor Kelcher advised that due to his publicly stated position against the provision of gambling establishments within the borough and to avoid any allegations of bias or pre-determination in his capacity as Chair, he would declare a personal disclosable interest and withdrew from the meeting for the consideration of that item.

Councillor S.Butt (as Vice-Chair) therefore took over as Chair for the consideration of Agenda Item 4.

In relation to Agenda Item 3: 24/2139  North Land Opposite GEC Pavilion, Pellatt Road, Wembley, HA9 8FB Councillor J Patel advised that as he had been approached by local residents and expressed a view regarding the application he would declare a personal disclosable interest clear and withdraw from the meeting for the consideration of that item.

In relation to Agenda Item 4: 24/2877 - 1 Walm Lane, London, NW2 5SN Councillor Kelcher advised that due to his publicly stated position against the provision of gambling establishments within the borough and to avoid any allegations of bias or pre-determination in his capacity as Chair, he would declare a personal disclosable interest and withdrew from the meeting for the consideration of that item.

Councillor S.Butt (as Vice-Chair) therefore took over as Chair for the consideration of Agenda Item 4.

Granted 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 set out in the main committee report along with the inclusion of an additional condition to restrict the provision of on-street parking permits for residents for use on Wembley Stadium event days and on any other days on which a future CPZ in the area may operate.

PROPOSAL

Construction of a five-storey residential building with landscaping, private

and communal amenity areas, car parking, refuse and cycle stores and

associated works

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 set out in the main committee report.

Nicola Blake (Principal  Planning Officer) introduced the planning application committee report, detailing the proposal for the construction of a 5 storey residential building with landscaping, accommodating 13 units, private and communal amenity areas, car parking, refuse and cycle stores and associated building works.

Attention was drawn to the fact that since the publication of the committee report and the passing of the deadline for the supplementary agenda, a further objection to the proposed development had been received. The recommendation remained to grant consent subject to the prior completion of a s106 legal agreement to secure the planning obligations, as well as the conditions and informatives as outlined within the main committee report.

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

• The objector, a resident of Crown Green Mews, representing the residents of Chamberlayne Avenue, Edison Drive, Walton Gardens, and Crown Green Mews, expressed that more than 300 family households would be directly and negatively impacted by the planning application.

• Katharina Keusch provided context for the proposal:

-      The proposed development was situated on the side of a roundabout on Pellatt Road.

-      Pellatt Road served as an entry/exit point for multiple cul-de-sac residential areas: Chamberlayne Avenue, Edison Drive, Crown Green Mews, and Walton Gardens.

-      Over 300 family households were connected to these residential areas.

-      Pellatt Road was the only access point for the Sports Grounds, used by multiple football youth clubs every weekend from February to October.

-      Pellatt Road also served as an access point with a wide security-controlled gate to the local retail business park.

• In referencing the committee report dated 4 February 2025, which stated that "54 properties were consulted as part of the proposal on 8 August 2024," Katharina Keusch observed that several impacted properties were not included. Additionally, citing the committee report which specified that "A site notice was erected on 11 August," the objector questioned the location and duration of the notice, as none of the 40 immediately impacted residents she spoke to had seen it.

• Katharina Keusch highlighted that the original planning application stated that there was sufficient parking provided on the street for residents and visitors, based on a survey conducted on 30 and 31 January at 12:30 am, showing 56 spaces. However, the objector noted that the survey was conducted outside of busy hours and not during the weekend or youth club  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

Granted planning permission subject to the conditions and informatives, as specified within the main committee report together with an additional condition to restrict noise generating equipment and noise from the site to not exceed 10dB when measured from the nearest noise sensitive property.

PROPOSAL

Change of use of basement and ground floor from vacant bank to bingo hall with

alteration to front elevation at ground floor level.

RECOMMENDATION

That the Committee resolve to GRANT planning permission subject to:

(1)  The conditions and informatives as specified within the main committee report.

Parag Dhanani (Career Grade Planning Officer) introduced the planning application committee report, detailing the proposal for the change of use of basement and ground floor from vacant bank to bingo hall with alteration to front elevation at ground floor level.

Attention was drawn to the fact that since the publication of the committee report, a further objection to the proposed development had been raised which corresponded to those already received and addressed within the ‘Consultations’ section of the

committee report. The recommendation remained to grant consent subject to the conditions and informatives as outlined within the main committee report.

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

• Liam Upson began by expressing gratitude for the opportunity to address the Planning Committee and represented residents who had submitted significant opposition to the plans to convert the former Lloyds Bank into a Bingo Hall.

• Reference was made to Dawn Butler, MP for Brent East, who had highlighted in Parliament that gambling facilities in Brent were more accessible than banks, supermarkets, and schools. The permit was to replace a former bank, with another bank having closed in Willesden Green this month.

• The objector noted that gambling-related harms costed Brent Council an estimated £14.3 million annually. It was argued that granting planning permission was a short-term measure with long-term harmful ramifications. It was believed that the permit was being provisionally granted due to weak licensing powers and a loophole in the law that did not consider a bingo hall in the same way as a bookmaker. The Leader of the Council had written to the culture secretary to raise concerns about the weak council powers to reject premise licences.

• Liam Upson pointed out that there was a large bingo hall in Cricklewood, less than half a mile away, which had applied to become an adult gaming centre and was approved. Additionally, there were numerous betting shops and adult gaming centres in close proximity to the site.

• It was felt that, despite the officer’s comments, there was strong evidence linking high densities of gambling establishments to increased social problems, including financial hardship and addiction, which could lead to crime and anti-social behaviour, thereby increasing costs for the Council. It was emphasised that this decision came at a time of growing concern about safety in the area.

• Regarding the consultation process, the objector noted that neighbourhood letters were not received, and many residents had reported a lack of information. It was felt that the officer’s comments did not sufficiently address the  ...  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 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.