Agenda item

PROPOSAL: Demolition of 17 garages and erection of a three storey building comprising 4 x 2 bed flats and under croft car parking, cycle parking and bin store with associated amenity space and parking provision for existing flats.

RECOMMENDATION: 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 in 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 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.

Victoria McDonagh (Area Planning Team Leader) introduced the scheme and answered members’ questions. Members heard that the proposed use was considered appropriate for the area and would result in the provision of new homes within the borough with acceptable design and height and massing in keeping with the local context. It would also accord with the amenity impact guidance as set out in the Council's Guidance (Supplementary Planning Guidance 17 and draft Supplementary Planning Document 1) and would not result in an unduly detrimental loss of light or outlook to neighbouring properties. In Highways terms, 4 of the garages proposed would be for use by the residents of the proposed development and the remainde (14) would be for use by residents of Fairley Court.  She advised that the trees that were proposed to be removed were not considered worthy of retention.

In accordance with the Provisions of the Planning Code of Practice, Councillor

Daly (ward member) stated that she had been approached by local residents.  Councillor Daly raised concerns about noise, vibration and loss of parking which she added would result in displacement parking in the neighbouring streets.

Victoria McDonagh clarified that there would be an overall increase in parking spaces with additional 6 spaces for residents of Fairley Court.  The allocation of spaces for residents of existing and proposed flats could be conditioned as part of car parking management plan.  In response to members’ questions she clarified the amenity provisions and in respect of vibration, she recommended an amendment to condition 4 to include vibration assessment by Environmental Health officers.

DECISION: Granted planning permission as recommended and subject to additional details on vibration assessment.

(Voting for approval was carried as follows: For 6, Against 0 and Abstain 1)

Note: Councillor Daly having declared an interest withdrew from the meeting room and did not take part in the voting.