Agenda item
18/4008 Tenterden Pavilion & Sports Ground, 289 Preston Road and Car Park rear of 291-297 Preston Road, Harrow, HA3
Decision:
Granted planning permission as recommended subject to minor corrections set out within the supplementary report and further planning conditions relating to the approval of landscaping and fencing details and an amendment to the Community Access Plan condition so that the condition stipulates a minimum of 20 hours of access per week for community hire.
Minutes:
PROPOSAL: Demolition of existing pavilion building and reinstatement of green space; construction of a part 2 and part 3 storey sports and recreation centre with ground floor office and reception area; reconfiguration of the existing car park and associated soft landscaping, to provide sporting facilities for local school, community and football club (Forest United).
RECOMMENDATION:
GRANT planning permission subject to the prior completion of a legal agreement to secure the planning obligations set out within the Committee reports.
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 and informatives 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 by the “expiry date” of this application (subject to any amendments/extensions to the expiry date agreed by both parties) the legal agreement has not been completed, the Head of Planning be granted delegated
authority to refuse planning permission.
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.
Mr Toby Huntingford (Principal Planning Officer) introduced the report, set out the key issues and answered Members’ questions. He referenced the supplementary report and clarified that condition 4 and the re-provision of speed humps would not be secured through a S106 agreement. He added that condition 4 would be secured through a S278 agreement and the re-provision of speed humps was a matter for parking services. Mr Huntingford also clarified half of the trees were proposed to be planted to the north of the car park and proposed pavilion whilst the other half were proposed to be planted in the area where the existing pavilion was currently situated. Mr Huntingford highlighted that the park is locally listed and the existing pavilion building is likely to be original to the park, and as such, Policy DMP7 is relevant. However, the building is dilapidated and no longer fit for purpose, and that he less than substantial harm to the heritage asset was outweighed by the benefits of the proposal.
Mrs Suzanne Murpogo (in remote attendance) spoke in support of
the application on behalf of John Billam and Tenterden
Parks and Neighbourhood Group and answered Members’
questions. She discussed a
number of matters and welcomed the application as it would address
the current problems in the park including criminal activity and
drug dealing which had been a major issue. She however requested the following;
· That the asbestos containing material (Artex) within the building is removed in an appropriate way.
· That Forest United have access to free parking or discounted seasons tickets.
In the discussion that followed, Members raised issues relating to ecological survey, lighting on the pitches, travel plan, community use, travel plan and improvement to the pitches.
In responding to the above, Mr Huntingford submitted the following;
· The applicant had submitted a satisfactory ecological survey report that concluded that the area was of low ecological significance.
· A condition requiring further details of full lighting details including spillage information had been recommended.
· A contribution of £6,000 had been secured from the applicant for tree replacement.
· Travel plan to promote sustainable transport and the installation of CCTV in the pavilion building were within the conditions recommended.
· The removal of asbestos was a matter for the applicant to liaise with Building Control and not within the remit of this Committee.
· The improvement of the pitches was unrelated to this application, although funding had been secured.
· That community access was proposed and was recommended to be secured through condition.
· That the building had been designed to accommodate Forest United but their tenure within the building could not be controlled through planning
With no further issues raised and having established that all members had followed the discussions, the Chair thanked all speakers for their contributions and asked members to vote on the recommendation. Members voted by a majority decision to approve the application subject to the amendment as set out within the supplementary report.
DECISION: Granted planning permission as recommended subject to minor corrections set out within the supplementary report.
(Voting on the decision to approve was unanimous).
Supporting documents: