Agenda item

Granted planning permission as recommended with an additional condition that future residents will not be eligible to apply for parking permits, an additional condition to ensure the developer joins the Considerate Constructors Scheme throughout demolition and construction and an additional legal obligation to provide a contribution of £15,000 towards the provision of trees as set out within the Supplementary Report.

PROPOSAL: Demolition of existing residential building comprising 10 flats and construction of a part 4-storey and part 5-storey residential block plus basement comprising 18 self-contained flats with associated car parking, cycle storage and landscaping.

RECOMMENDATION: Grant planning permission, subject to the completion of a satisfactory Section 106 or other legal agreement, 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 Chief Legal Officer.

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 Committee reports.

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 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.

Mr Damian Manhertz (Development Management Team Leader) introduced the report and answered Members’ questions. He drew the attention of Members to the supplementary report which referenced changes to the proposed Section 106 legal agreement, including a financial contribution of £15,000 towards the planting of trees in the vicinity of the site and the removal of the Considerate Constructors Scheme obligation which would, instead, be secured through a condition. Mr Manhertz also recommended an additional condition that future residents will not be eligible to apply for on-street parking permits.

Mr Michael Law speaking on behalf of Willesden Lane Residents’ Association raised objections to the proposal because it would result in the loss of an attractive Victorian building and change the character of the area.  He also expressed concern regarding the loss of mature trees.

In responding to the above, Mr Manhertz reiterated the applicant’s contribution to ensure no net loss of trees and added that the site was not within the Conservation Area nor the building listed. He explained that there was no requirement to maintain the existing building and that the proposed scheme, in terms of its bulk and massing, would complement with the surrounding building lines without being out of character.  He continued that in addition to the one-off on-site affordable housing, the applicant would contribute almost £100,000 to the Council for the provision of Affordable Housing, and would be subject to financial viability review.

DECISION: Granted planning permission as recommended with an additional condition that future residents will not be eligible to apply for parking permits, an additional condition to ensure the developer joins the Considerate Constructors Scheme throughout demolition and construction and an additional legal obligation to provide a contribution of £15,000 towards the provision of trees as set out within the supplementary report.

(Voting on the decision was as follows: For 6; Against 0; Abstention 1)