Agenda and minutes

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.

Willesden Green Garage, St Pauls Avenue NW2 5TG 9Ref. 15/5291)

All members declared that they had received correspondence from Mr Hale, an objector.

Councillor Chappell declared that he had been approached by residents in connection with the application.

All Members re-affirmed that they would consider this and other applications with an open mind.

RESOLVED:-

that the minutes of the previous meeting held on 16 January 2019 be approved as an accurate record of the meeting.

PROPOSAL: Demolition of the existing office building Trinity House and to construct 50 residential units (11x 1-bed , 25 x 2-bed 14 x 3-bed ), together with 16 onsite car parking spaces, landscaping and amenity space (amended description).

RECOMMENDATION: To grant planning permission, subject to the completion of a satisfactory Section 106 or other legal agreement to include the obligations set out within the report, and the conditions and informatives recommended in this report, and to delegate authority to the Head of Planning or other duly authorised person to agree the exact terms thereof on advice from the Head of Legal Services.

That the Head of Planning be granted delegated authority to negotiate the legal agreement indicated above.

That the Head of Planning be granted delegated authority to issue the planning permission and impose conditions to secure the matters set out within the report.

That the Head of Planning be granted delegated authority to make changes to the wording of the Committee’s decision (such as to delete, vary or add conditions, informatives, planning obligations or reasons for the decision) prior to the decision being actioned, provided that the Head of Planning is satisfied that any such changes could not reasonably be regarded as deviating from the overall principle of the decision reached by the Committee not that such change(s) could reasonably have led to a different decision having been reached by the Committee.

That, if the legal agreement has not been completed by the statutory determination date for this application (including determination dates set through agreement), the Head of Planning be granted delegated authority to refuse planning permission.

Mr David Glover (Development Management Manger) introduced the report which was deferred from the meeting in October because Members were minded to refuse the application due to concerns including the lack of any affordable housing. Members suggested that additional housing units could be provided in place of the offices and basement parking area.  Members heard that the applicant had since reviewed and amended the scheme  by removing the basement and office space, increasing the housing units from 47 to 50 with 20% affordable units and 70/30 tenure split and re-providing some parking spaces at ground level.  In reference to the supplementary report, he advised Members about an additional objection received since the publication of the report and addressed the issues raised. Mr Glover added that the proposed scheme, as set out in the report, was considered to be acceptable having regard to all relevant planning considerations.

Members welcomed the amendments by the applicant and endorsed the officer’s recommendation for approval subject to conditions.

DECISION: Granted planning permission as recommended.

(Voting on the recommendation was unanimous).

PROPOSAL: Demolition of MOT garage and erection of a part seven-storey and part four storey building with basement level to provide 70 self-contained flats (35 x 1 bed, 22 x 2 bed and 13 x 3 bed) with ground, third and fourth floor amenity spaces and ground floor play area, provision of basement car parking, cycle and refuse storage, alterations to vehicular accesses and associated landscaping.

RECOMMENDATION: To GRANT planning permission subject to the prior completion of a legal agreement to secure the planning obligations set out within the report.

That the Head of Planning be granted delegated authority to negotiate the legal agreement indicated above.

That the Head of Planning be granted delegated authority to issue the planning permission and impose conditions (and informatives) to secure the matters set out within the report.

That the Head of Planning be granted delegated authority to make changes to the wording of the Committee’s decision (such as to delete, vary or add conditions, informatives, planning obligations or reasons for the decision) prior to the decision being actioned, provided that the Head of Planning is satisfied that any such changes could not reasonably be regarded as deviating from the overall principle of the decision reached by the Committee nor that such change(s) could reasonably have led to a different decision having been reached by the Committee.

That, if by 12 December 2018 the legal agreement has not been completed, the Head of Planning be granted delegated authority to refuse planning permission.

That the Committee confirms that adequate provision has been made, by the imposition of conditions, for the preservation or planting of trees as required by Section 197 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

Mr Damian Manhertz (Area Planning Team Leader) introduced the application which was reported to the Planning Committee on 12th September 2018. At that meeting, Members were minded to refuse planning consent and thus the application was deferred to a subsequent meeting to enable planning officers to present a report to address their concerns and points of further clarification. These related to the development’s impact upon the living conditions of the adjoining occupiers, impact on views to and the setting of the neighbouring Grade II Listed Building and the character of the area, the servicing arrangements, in particular, deliveries and to the new properties and the resultant impact on highway safety and the amount of affordable housing and family sized units that were proposed.

Members heard that since the deferral, the Agent contacted officers to discuss amendments that could be made to the scheme. Several alternative proposals were been tested, including a design to step the building down on the eastern side near the neighbouring property on St Pauls Avenue and alterations to a section of road to create a servicing bay on the opposite site of St Pauls Avenue. Although these options were considered by the applicant, it has been confirmed that they no longer wish to amend the scheme and would prefer a decision to be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

PROPOSAL: Demolition of the existing buildings and redevelopment of the site comprising the erection of a part three, five and six storey building providing 727 sqm of flexible employment workspace (Use Class B1), 42 self-contained flats (17 x 1bed, 14 x 2bed and 11 x 3bed) with associated car and cycle parking spaces, refuse and recycling stores, amenity space, landscaping and associated development.

RECOMMENDATION: That the Committee resolve to GRANT planning permission subject to the prior completion of a legal agreement to secure the planning obligations set out within the report.

That the Head of Planning be granted delegated authority to negotiate the legal agreement indicated above.

That the Head of Planning be granted delegated authority to issue the planning permission and impose conditions and informatives to secure the matters set out within the report.

That the Head of Planning be granted delegated authority to make changes to the wording of the Committee’s decision (such as to delete, vary or add conditions, informatives, planning obligations or reasons for the decision) prior to the decision being actioned, provided that the Head of Planning is satisfied that any such changes could not reasonably be regarded as deviating from the overall principle of the decision reached by the Committee nor that such change(s) could reasonably have led to a different decision having been reached by the Committee.

That, if by the “expiry date” of this application (subject to any amendments/extensions to the expiry date agreed by both parties) the legal agreement has not been completed, the Head of Planning be granted delegated authority to refuse planning permission.

That the Committee confirms that adequate provision has been made, by the imposition of conditions, for the preservation or planting of trees as required by Section 197 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

Ms June Taylor (Principal Planning Officer) introduced the report and answered Members’ questions.  She outlined the merits of the scheme including delivery of affordable housing, affordable workspace, financial contribution and parking provision.  In reference to the supplementary report, Ms Taylor drew Members’ attention to points of clarification and the applicant's agent further information on the impact of the development on daylight and sunlight received by nearby windows in Roger Stone Court which were found acceptable.

Ms Mary Duffy (Objector) objected to the application on the grounds that its height would have a detrimental impact on the character of the area consisting mainly of low rise properties and the nearby area.  She added that the proposal would not be in keeping with or complement the Conservation Area. Ms Duffy also raised concerns about undue pressure on drainage and  inadequate consultation with the neighbouring residents.

Mr Luke Cadman and Mr Alun Evans (applicant and agent respectively) addressed the Committee.  They outlined the main benefits of the scheme including 26% family-sized housing with affordable housing provision of 35.7%; appropriate design, scale and appearance to the surrounding context; high residential living standard with private and communal amenity space and on-site parking for 69%  ...  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.

None.