Agenda item
ROUNDWOOD PARK, Harlesden Road, London NW10 (Ref. 15/3572)
Decision:
Granted planning permission as recommended with additional conditions requiring the initial provision and subsequent review of CCTV operation in addition to signage to advise it is in use; provision of litter bins; and the submission of a Construction Management Plan.
Minutes:
PROPOSAL: Proposed concrete skatepark within the grounds of Roundwood Park (to the north of Roundwood Youth Centre) with associated seating areas and soft landscaping.
RECOMMENDATION: Grant planning permission subject to conditions as set out in the Draft Decision Notice and as amended in condition 1 as set out in the supplementary report.
Liz Sullivan (Principal Planner) outlined the scheme and with reference to the supplementary report responded to queries raised at the site visit. She informed members that according to consultant’s advice, the proposalwould notresult in asignificantimpact onnearbydwellings and that potential noise concerns should be mitigated both by the separation distance and as no additional lighting was proposed which could encourage people to gather later in the evenings. She advised that additional tree planting or landscapingto screenthe area wouldimpacton passivesurveillancewhich was considered a positive partofthe proposal and that noise attenuation value of trees was limited. In order to minimise visual impact, particularlyata distance,grassbunds were proposed around the edges, drawing members’ attention to amended condition 1 as set out in the supplementary report. Liz Sullivan informed members that maintenance and management of the skatepark would be carried out by Brent’s Parks warden serviceoperated byVeolia andon ashift basis as they coveredall open spaces. She continued that a sign wasproposed at the frontoftheskatepark which would includecontactdetails forusers to reportmaintenanceissues.
Anita Murray (objector) stated that the skatepark was likely to lead to increased noise and anti social behaviour to the detriment of the residents of nearby properties and other users of the park including local school children. She also raised concerns about open access to the park and issues relating to floodlighting. In response to a member’s question, the objector stated that without warden patrol the location of the skatepark would facilitate and increase anti social behaviour in that part of the park.
In accordance with the provisions of the Planning Code of Practice, Councillor Kelcher (member for the adjoining ward), stated that he had had discussions with residents about the proposal. Although he did not oppose to the new amenity for a skatepark, Councillor Kelcher highlighted that residents in houses in Longstone Avenue and Harlesden Road would experience noise nuisance and general disturbance including anti social behaviour particularly as warden patrol scarcely took place. He continued that the loss of that part of the park would impact on several groups including children from local schools who used the park for various activities, joggers and those who used the park for Eid celebrations. Councillor Kelcher requested the Committee to defer a decision for officers to consider alternative sites, further away from residential properties
Rob Anderton (Head of Public Realm) and Rez Cameron (Leisure Client and Projects Manager) attended the meeting to answer members’ questions about the application. Rob Anderton stated that alternative sites were considered but not found to be appropriate. He added that as lighting would encourage anti social behaviour, he advised that it would be safer to have the skatepark unlit so as to discourage night time usage. He undertook to look into the suggestion for a mobile CCTV and signage reminding users that they were being filmed for safer security purposes and to have the situation reviewed collectively by ward members and residents after 6 months. Members heard that the parks warden service was operating on diminishing resources, albeit sufficient to ensure that all parks were maintained to an acceptable standard. In order to ensure the site was maintained to a litter free standard, Rob Anderson undertook to have litter bins installed if the need for them arose. He accepted the need to submit a Construction Management Plan as suggested by the Chair.
In bringing the discussion to an end, the Chair noted that consultation on the proposal was conducted long ago and felt that the planning application consultation should have included the adjoining houses. The Chair stressed that these consultation problems should be avoided in the future by the department. Members were in agreement with her suggestion for additional conditions for the provision and review of CCTV operation, signage to advise its use, provision of litter bins and the submission of a Construction Management Plan
DECISION: Granted planning permission as recommended with additional conditions requiring the initial provision and subsequent review of CCTV operation in addition to signage to advise it is in use; provision of litter bins; and the submission of a Construction Management Plan.
Supporting documents: