Agenda, decisions and minutes
Venue: Conference Hall - Brent Civic Centre, Engineers Way, Wembley, HA9 0FJ. View directions
Contact: Joe Kwateng, Democratic Services Officer 020 8937 1354, Email: joe.kwateng@brent.gov.uk
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Declarations of personal and prejudicial interests Members are invited to declare at this stage of the meeting, any relevant financial or other interest in the items on this agenda. Minutes: Former Kensal Rise Branch Library Councillor Filson declared that as he had previously expressed a view that prejudged the application, he would withdraw from the meeting room during consideration of the application.
Councillor S Choudhary declared that as he had previously expressed a view that prejudged the application, he would withdraw from the meeting room during consideration of the application.
37 Lydford Road, London NW2 5QN Councillor Colacicco declared that as she lived close to the application site address, she would withdraw from the meeting room during consideration of the application. |
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Minutes of the previous meeting held on 17 June 2014 PDF 83 KB The minutes are attached. Minutes: RESOLVED:
that the minutes be approved as an accurate record of the meeting subject to the following amendment in clause 8 paragraph 3: “Councillor Filson stated that he wished to remain in the meeting room only to hear the contributions and then withdraw during members’ deliberations of the application”. |
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Former Kensal Rise Branch Library, Bathurst Gardens, London, NW10 5JA (Ref. 14/0846) PDF 691 KB Decision: Granted as recommended with additional conditions for a wider community door, relocation of refuse storage from the basement to the ground floor of the building, additional cycle stands and amendments to S106 Head of Terms to vary the requirement for a community marketing exercise. Minutes: PROPOSAL: Conversion of the existing vacant building to provide 5 residential units (2 x studios, 1 x 1 bed duplex flat and 2 x 2 bed duplex flats) on part ground and upper floors and 186m2 community space (Use Class D1) on the ground floor. Single storey ground floor extension to west elevation, provision of roof extension and communal residential roof terrace fronting onto Bathurst Gardens and creation of basement for bin/cycle store. Provision of new entrance door on Bathurst Gardens serving D1 space with associated cycle parking and landscaping to Bathurst Gardens and College Road. Erection of temporary site hoarding to protect site for period of vacancy.
RECOMMENDATION: Grant planning permission subject to the completion of a satisfactory Section 106 or other legal agreement and delegate authority to the Head of Planning or other duly authorised person to agree the exact terms thereof on advice from the Director of Legal and Procurement.
The application was deferred at the last meeting for further legal advice on whether the alleged falsification of consultation responses on a previous application relating to the site (reference 13/2058) would be a material planning consideration in the assessment of the current application. Horatio Chance, legal representative, advised that the legal opinion the Council received from Richard Drabble QC confirmed that the allegations were not of material consideration for the purposes of determing the current application.
With reference to the supplementary report, Andy Bates, Area Planning Manager, informed members that the Council would seek to ensure that the community space was provided through appropriately worded clauses within the Section 106 legal agreement and conditions. He clarified that if following the marketing campaign an occupier was not found for the community space, Brent CVS, a membership organisation for the local not for profit sector which seeks to support, promote and develop the voluntary sector, had agreed to have the first right of refusal to prepare a bid. He added that the applicants had confirmed in writing that friends of Kensal rise Library (FKRL) would be named as the actual tenant, subject to satisfactory lease negotiations and management plan. Furthermore, the applicants had confirmed that they had earmarked a sum of £3,000 to be given to the tenant of the community space to fit it out. Andy Bates then referred to correspondence from Councillor Nerva expressing his support for the application and urging members for additional conditions for additional on-street parking and a requirement on the developer to arrange for the hoarding to become a community mural within three months.
Ms Jodi Gramigni, an objector, expressed a view that the building ought to be retained as an asset of community value thus enabling local communities, schools and charities to access the library. She then referred to a petition signed by some 314 people that endorsed her views and urged members to refuse the application for change of use of the historic community asset in accordance with the Localism Act 2011.
Horatio Chance advised that the use of the ... view the full minutes text for item 3. |
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37 Lydford Road, London, NW2 5QN (Ref. 14/1201) PDF 564 KB Decision: Refused planning permission. Minutes: PROPOSAL: Demolition of existing office to builders’ yard and erection of a 3 bedroom three storey (including basement) dwellinghouse, relocation and reduction in width of existing crossover, one off-street parking space and associated soft landscaping.
RECOMMENDATION: Refuse planning permission.
All members of the Committee declared that they had received correspondence from the applicant and that they would approach the application with an open mind and therefore had not been influenced.
With reference to the supplementary report, Andy Bates clarified the points raised by members during the site visit. He informed members that it was not considered that the proposal would have a materially harmful impact on the amenities of neighbouring residents, given its compliance with the adopted guidance in SPG17. He clarified the overall height of the building and the distance between the building and the footway, adding that it was not considered that the application could set a precedent for future developments in the Mapesbury Conservation Area. Andy Bates confirmed that although the principle of a contemporary dwelling at the site could be supported, the bulk, height and massing of the proposed development would obstruct views through rear gardens, thus detracting from the character and appearance of the conservation area.
Ms Sheelagh Putnam, Chair of Mapesbury Residents Association and an objector stated that the proposed development in terms of its excessive height would cause loss of views and openness to the neighbouring properties and would be out of keeping with the Victorian and Edwardian character of the conservation area. She added that the proposal would be contrary to the Article 4 Direction that afforded added protection to the conservation area.
In accordance with the provisions of the Planning Code of Practice, Councillor Shahzad, ward member, stated that he had been approached by both residents and the applicant. Councillor Shahzad urged members to take note of residents’ concerns about the impact of the development on the conservation area.
In accordance with the provisions of the Planning Code of Practice, Councillor Carr, ward member, stated that she had been approached by both residents and the applicant. Councillor Carr stated that the proposal, by its height, would cause loss of views, loss of outlook and loss of visual amenities and therefore would not complement, enhance or preserve the character of the Mapesbury Conservation Area. Councillor Carr also added that despite her comments, there were also supporters of the scheme.
Mr Peter Benda, speaking as a supporter, stated that the current site as a builders’ yard was an eyesore within the conservation area. He welcomed its replacement with a contemporary building that complied with the council’s guidance.
Mr Chris Campbell, the applicant stated that the proposal which incorporated a sympathetic and low level design complied with the design guide of the conservation area and would complement and enhance its character. In response to members’ questions, Mr Campbell stated that the proximity of the building to the footpath was due to the constraints of the site, however he would ensure that the ... view the full minutes text for item 4. |
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Decision: Granted planning permission subject to revisions to condition 25, completion of a satisfactory Section 106 or other legal agreement and delegate authority to the Head of Planning or other duly authorised person to agree the exact terms thereof on advice from the Director of Legal and Procurement.
Minutes: PROPOSAL: Full planning permission for demolition of buildings within 205 and 235 Church Road, redevelopment of section of Church Road car park site to the rear of 207-233 (odds inc.) Church Road to erect a part 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 storey building containing 65 residential units, 298m2 (GEA) retail floorspace together with 7 car parking spaces and associated works as revised by plans and details. (“car free” development)
RECOMMENDATION: Grant planning permission subject to the completion of a satisfactory Section 106 or other legal agreement and delegate authority to the Head of Planning or other duly authorised person to agree the exact terms thereof on advice from the Director of Legal and Procurement.
With reference to the supplementary report, Andy Bates addressed the issues that were raised by members at the site visit. Members heard that refuse storage for the residential element of the development would be provided in three locations; the High Road serving blocks A and B and two located on Eric Road. In order to minimise the distance that residents would have to travel to the waste and recycling facility and in the interest of highway safety, Andy Bates recommended an amendment to condition 25 as set out in the supplementary report. He clarified that the loss of existing trees as a result of the 2m set back from the pavement was necessary as their retention would significantly hinder the scope to develop the site to achieve the aims of the Site Specific Allocation and wider Growth Area requirements. He continued that a financial contribution of £15,000 would be sought under the Section 106 legal agreement for the planting of trees on the High Road adjacent to the development. Andy Bates advised that the operation of the proposed market square including servicing, storage of stalls, rubbish collection and details of shared surface arrangements in Eric Road would be contingent upon a suitable Delivery and Servicing Plan which would be secured via a Section 106 agreement to be agreed prior to occupation and operation of the market. He added that concerns raised about unsafe structure next to Eric Road had been referred to the Building Control Team for their investigation.
Jacey Chalmers in objecting to the proposed development raised concerns about the potential loss of car parking facilities, servicing and loading facilities for the traders and the removal of trees to facilitate the development.
Mark Connell, the applicant’s agent informed members that the provision of a market square within the scheme had been agreed in principal with the previous planning decisions and with the Council’s Regeneration Team in terms of bringing forward the development of the adjoining site. He continued that the height, scale and massing of development which would also provide 24 affordable homes had been reduced whilst maintaining satisfactory internal and amenity space requirements which complied with BREEAM standards.
In response to members’ questions, Mark Connell stated that adequate mitigation of £15,000 for replanting had been agreed for the loss of trees along ... view the full minutes text for item 5. |
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Planning and enforcement appeals 1 - 30 June 2014 PDF 18 KB Additional documents:
Minutes: RESOLVED:
(i) that the schedule of planning appeals for 1 to 30 June 2014 be noted;
(ii) that in future the schedule of planning and enforcement appeals be sent by the Head of Planning to members for information and not attached to the agenda. |
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Any Other Urgent Business Notice of items to be raised under this heading must be given in writing to the Democratic Services Manager or his representative before the meeting in accordance with Standing Order 64.
Minutes: None. |