Agenda, decisions and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Dixon with Councillor Mahmood attending as a substitute.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Dixon with Councillor Mahmood attending as a substitute member.

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.

Councillor Johnson declared a personal interest in respect of Application 21/2587 – Hereford House & Garages, Carlton Vale and Exeter Court, Cambridge Road and Open Space and Play Area, Granville Road, London, NW6 (Agenda Item 4) as a previous Director and member of the South Kilburn Trust.

No other declarations of interest were made during the meeting.

Councillor Johnson declared a personal interest in respect of Application 21/2587 – Hereford House & Garages, Carlton Vale and Exeter Court, Cambridge Road and Open Space and Play Area, Granville Road, London, NW6 (Agenda Item 4) as a previous Director and member of the South Kilburn Trust.

No other declarations of interest were made during the meeting.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the previous meeting held on Tuesday 11 June 2024 be approved as a correct record of the meeting.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the previous meeting held on Tuesday 11 June 2024 be approved as a correct record of the meeting.

Granted planning permission subject to referral of the application to the Mayor of London (Stage 2 referral), conditions and informatives as set out in the Committee and Supplementary report.

PROPOSAL

Full planning application for the demolition of the existing Hereford House and Exeter Court buildings and the construction of four new residential buildings ranging from 3-13 storeys, the provision of flexible non-residential floorspace at ground floor of Block C1, a new public urban park and new access road along the western side of the site, cycle and blue badge car parking and associated infrastructure.

RECOMMENDATION

That the Committee resolve to GRANT planning permission subject to:

(1)       referral of the application to the Mayor of London (Stage 2 referral); and

(2)       the conditions and informatives as set out in the Committee and Supplementary report.

Lena Summers (Planning Officer) introduced the report, detailing the proposal for the building of four new residential blocks varying in height and mass set within a significant amount of new public realm comprising hard and soft landscaping and additional parking and new cycling routes.  The proposed site was arranged around a communal courtyard of consisting of blocks A, B and C with a new urban park and access road along the western side of the site.  Following the submission of a supplementary report, the conditions had been reordered to reflect compliance, pre-commencement, post commencement and preoccupation with an update provided in relation to the revised bus contribution being sought by TfL as a result of the latest Transport Assessment, with the recommendation remaining to grant consent.

The Chair thanked Lena Summers for introducing the report and as there were no registered speakers for the application the Chair moved straight on to invite the Committee to raise any questions they had in relation to the information presented, with the following being noted:

·            As the level of social housing properties on the site had reduced, further details were sought on whether the standard of homes had risen in balance and what benefit would be delivered as a result.  The Committee were advised that although there would be 41 less social housing properties, there would be a net gain in the socially rented floor space amounting to 957sqm.  There would also be a significant increase in family sized dwellings with 53 dwellings consisting of either three, four or five bedrooms and net uplift in level of affordable housing.

·            In response to a query on the quality of open space within the proposed development, the Committee was reminded that this would comprise of an urban park site allocation.  The open space had been relocated to the East side due to overlooking and new trees would also be planted for additional privacy.

·            With regard to the proposals for community entrances, the Committee were informed that the Urban Design Officer had identified the proposals to be of a high standard given the design.

·            Further details were sought on the decanting of existing tenants from the site, which the Committee was informed had been completed with tenants having been relocated within the wider South Kilburn area and nomination rights to the new development site being subject to established arrangements.

·            Further details were sought  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

Granted planning permission subject to:

·             referral of the application to the Mayor of London (Stage 2 referral) and prior completion of a legal agreement to secure the planning obligations set out in the Committee report;

·             the conditions and informatives as set out in the Committee and Supplementary report including an amendment to the Section 106 Agreement Heads of Terms to ensure that use of the £10,000 contribution secured towards the enhancement and improvement to public open spaces in the borough was focussed within the vicinity of the development.

PROPOSAL

Redevelopment of site to provide two buildings accommodating residential units, the use of ground floor as a Community Use (Use Class: F2) with additional affordable workspace (Use Class: E) at ground floor level, associated vehicular crossover, car and cycle parking spaces, refuse storage, amenity spaces, landscaping and associated works.

RECOMMENDATION

That the Committee resolve to GRANT planning permission subject to:

(1)        referral of the application to the Mayor of London (Stage 2 referral); and

(2)        the conditions and informatives as set out in the Committee report.

Nicola Blake (Principal Planning Officer) introduced the report, stating that the application was seeking approval to demolish the existing buildings on site and erect two buildings of up to 10 storeys in height in their place.  The ground floor of the northernmost building would include a community facility measuring 140sqm with the ground floor of the southernmost building including a 251sqm affordable workspace area and a car park.  The development includes 31 residential units within the northernmost building (block A) and 57 residential units within the southernmost building (block B) resulting in 88 residential unts.  The top storey of Block A would have a 234.4sqm communal terrace with attention also drawn to the updates within the Supplementary report and members advised that the recommendation remained to grant planning permission subject to the applications referral to the Mayor of London (Stage 2 referral) and conditions (as amended) and prior completion of a legal agreement.

The Chair thanked Nicola Blake for introducing the report and sought further details on the element of development being described as a creative enterprise.  The Committee noted that these included amenities for artists, such as studio and retail space.  The site looked to create broader job opportunities and was not limited to a particular industry.

The Chair then welcomed the first speaker Mike Poshteh (who had registered to speak in objection to the application) with the following noted:

·             There had been approximately 86 objections from residents who felt that two 20 storey high buildings would impact the existing properties surrounding the development in terms of overshadowing, loss of light & privacy and insufficient space between neighbouring developments.

·             It was felt that the area had materially changed since the original application in 2016 given the extent of other developments either built of approved including Alperton Yard, Alperton Waterside and Grand Union St George which had significantly added to liveable units in the area.  Whilst residents understood the need for housing within Brent and London, it was not felt this development was the solution.

·             The wider impact on amenity including additional strain on public transport, traffic and congestion, local school and health provision, which were already at capacity.

·             Concerns were also highlighted in relation to the overbearing nature of the development and overlooking.

The Chair thanked Mike Poshteh for addressing the Committee and then invited members to ask any questions they had in relation to the information presented, with the following being noted:

·                 Further details were sought on the adjustments requested on the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

Granted planning permission subject to the conditions as set out in the Committee and Supplementary report and prior completion of a legal agreement to secure the planning obligations set out in the Committee report.

PROPOSAL

The proposal involves the conversion of the existing dwellinghouse into five self-contained flats.  The development would involve external alterations which include the erection of a rear dormer window and 1.no side rooflight, replacement front windows, and the relocation of the front entrance door along the principal elevation of the building.  The rear garden area would also be subdivided, and the proposal will include the provision of off-road parking, cycle and waste storage and associated hard and soft landscaping.

RECOMMENDATION

(1)        That the Committee resolve to GRANT planning permission subject to:

(a)        The completion of a legal agreement to secure the planning obligations detailed within the report.

(b)        the conditions and informatives as set out in the Committee report and supplementary report.

(1)          That the Head of Planning is 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.

(2)            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.

Curtis Thompson (Planning Officer) introduced the report which the Committee was advised involved the conversion of the existing dwellinghouse into 5 x self-contained flats. The development would involve external alterations which included the erection of a rear dormer window and 1 side rooflight, replacement front windows, and the relocation of the front entrance door along the principal elevation of the building. The rear garden area would also be subdivided, and the proposal will include the provision of off-road parking, cycle and waste storage and associated hard and soft landscaping.  Members attention was also drawn to the supplementary report which included reference to an updated plan and a resulting amendment to Condition 2 with the recommendation remaining to grant consent subject to the completion of the necessary s106 agreement and conditions.

The Chair thanked Curtis Thompson for introducing the report, and then invited Lalji Vekaria, speaking in support of the application as the architect, to address the Committee.  The following key points were highlighted:

·             The Committee were advised that the application had been submitted by a long standing charity operating in Brent the Shri Swaminarayan Temple based in Neasden who, whilst recognising the s106 planning contribution as as policy requirement, also felt that discretion should be available as to how this requirement was applied in relation to charitable organisations.

·             This was a revised application following the refusal of a previous application and dismissed appeal.  The current proposal addressed the issue of the ceiling height in one of the proposed flats which  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

Granted planning permission subject to the conditions and informatives as set out in the Committee and Supplementary report.

PROPOSAL

Proposed part demolition of garage block and erection of a single storey dwellinghouse with associated amenity space, alterations to boundary treatment and provision for new pedestrian access, cycle and refuse storage.

RECOMMENDATION

(1)      That the Committee resolve to GRANT planning permission subject to the conditions and informatives as set out in the Committee report.

(2)        That the Head of Planning is 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.

(3)        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.

Curtis Thompson (Planning Officer) introduced the report which the Committee was advised related to a single storey garage plot on the eastern side of Thanet Lodge.  Thanet Lodge contained forty-three residential units and had a large amenity space to the rear.  The site was located within the Brondesbury Conservation Area but did not contain any listed buildings.  This site formed the garages to Thanet Lodge which was constructed in c1938.  The garages were contemporary in construction, single storey and of no special interest with the applications requiring consideration by the Committee due to the number of objections received.  Members attention was drawn to the supplementary report with included details on additional representations submitted with the recommendation remaining to grant consent subject to the conditions listed.

The Chair thanked Curtis Thompson for introducing the report and then invited Doriano Chiarparin (who had registered to speak in objection to the application), to address the Committee.  The following key points were highlighted:

·             The proposed scheme for Thanet Lodge Garages ref. 24/0296 followed on from a previous proposal ref. 20/0600 with the exception of the enlarged external amenity areas and reversal of bedroom and living room position in the new layout.

·             The previous proposal had been rejected on appeal with the main reasons being the effect of the proposed development on the living standards of future occupiers, proximity to Thanet Lodge, bin store and vehicular access to its car park, which both caused unacceptable harm to the external amenity proposed.

·             The current proposal was felt to include the same shortfalls in that the large bin store was adjacent to front garden creating substandard level of amenity, the driveway to car park was adjacent to the front door creating unsafe access to the dwelling; the proposed driveway width reduction from 3.5 to 3m to create a 0.5m wide footpath would produce vehicular circulation below recommend width and a narrow and unsafe pedestrian zone;  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

Notice of items to be raised under this heading must be given in writing to the Deputy Director Democratic Services or their representative before the meeting in accordance with Standing Order 60.

None.

None.