Agenda item
19/2163. 44 Queens Walk, London, NW9 8ER
Minutes:
PROPOSAL: Demolition of existing building and erection of a 2 and 3 storey building accommodating 7 dwellings with installation of new vehicular access (to Queens Walk) and associated landscaping.
RECOMMENDATION: To grant planning permission subject to the conditions and informatives as set out within the Committee reports.
That the Head of Planning is granted delegated authority to issue the planning permission and impose conditions and informatives to secure the matters as set out within the Committee reports.
That the Head of Planning is 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
Ms Victoria McDonagh (North Team Development Management Team Leader) introduced the report and answered members questions.
Mrs Sona Uppal objected to the application and answered Members’ questions. Her objections were based on a number of grounds including the following; inadequate consultation, over-development of the site, detrimental to residential amenity, proximity to a local school and traffic (including pedestrian) safety issues, appearance of the proposal not in keeping and out of character with the area and loss of mature oak trees.
Mrs Susan Knowler also objected to the application and answered Members’ questions. She also raised a number of issues including; over-development, lack of family size units, unacceptable frontage contrary to the Design Guide for the area, detrimental impact on neighbours and residential amenity. Mrs Knowler added that the proposal could set a precedent for similar undesirable development.
Mr Mark Pender (agent) addressed the Committee and answered members’ questions. He referenced the application refused on appeal to the Planning Inspectorate and added that the current application had overcome the concerns expressed by the Inspector including its design, appearance and the overall impact of the development on the surrounding properties. Members heard that the application had addressed issues about outlook and that officers had recommended a planning condition to address the matter relating to obscure glazing. The Council’s Tree Officer supported the scheme.
In the ensuing debate, members sought clarifications on a number of issues including; highways, consultation, trees and design. Mr John Fletcher (Highways Officer) explained that with seven parking spaces and eleven cycle spaces, the scheme would achieve the maximum parking standards, adding that a condition would require that details to be submitted setting out an acceptable arrangement that meets LCDS standards for cycle storage. In terms of design, officers added that the current scheme had overcome the concerns that the Inspector expressed on scale, design and the roof all of which complemented the design guide for the area. Members also noted the tree officer’s support as amplified in the main report. Officers responded to issues about consultation, adding that consultation requirements had been exceeded.
Members were minded to approve the application as recommended except for Councillor Maurice who voted against it on grounds of excessive bulk and the design, out of character.
DECISION: Granted planning permission as recommended.
(Voting was recorded as follows: For 7, Against 1, Abstentions 0)
Supporting documents: