Agenda item
Ground and first floors, 967 Harrow Road, Wembley HA0 2SF (Ref. 11/3205)
- Meeting of Planning Committee, Wednesday 14 March 2012 7.00 pm (Item 13.)
- View the declarations of interest for item 13.
Decision:
Planning permission granted subject to conditions as recommended and additional condition relating to the location and access to refuse collection.
Minutes:
PROPOSAL: Erection of three storey side extension and associated works to curtilage including hard and soft landscaping and creation of new vehicle crossover to rear premises.(Revised plans received 03/02/2012)
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RECOMMENDATION: Grant planning permission subject to conditions.
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Neil McClellan corrected that the proposed office use should be B1 use and not B2 as stated elsewhere in the main report. He then responded to the issues raised at the Committee site visit. He informed the Committee that the application met the maximum parking standard and that the Council’s Transport Officer had confirmed that the servicing standard for the extended building would be met by the 8m long vehicle bay to be accessed from Harrow Road, as proposed in the amended scheme. He continued that conditions were proposed restricting the width and height of vehicles entering the site from The Boltons thereby ensuring that the rear of the site can only be accessed by cars, thus minimising impact on road safety. In officers’ view, the modest increase of additional 2 car parking spaces to be accessed via The Boltons was not considered likely to have a negative impact on highway conditions in the Boltons.
He confirmed that the proposal which was for 106sqm was below the threshold level at which B1 office space would require S106 contributions. He continued that as the proposed development would result in 156sqm of additional floor space, it would have qualified for the Mayoral Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), adding that the CIL would not take effect until April 2012.
Mr Sarkis Zacharian an objector stated that the due to its height and proximity to the boundary of nearby residential property, the proposed development would lead to loss of light and over-shadowing. He considered that in its current form, the proposal would be an over-development of the site. He urged that the applicant be requested to revise the plans.
Mr Mohan an objector raised concerns about the rear access to the building which he felt would encourage pavement parking to the detriment of residential amenity and also obstruct the movement of refuse trucks to The Boltons.
In accordance with the provisions of the Planning Code of Practice, Councillor Lorber, ward member, stated that he had been approached by objectors and the local residents. Councillor Lorber stated that the rear access to the site would create difficulties for vehicle movement. The situation would be made worse in terms of enforcement as the area was not within a controlled parking zone (CPZ). He therefore emphasised the need to retain the closure of the rear access. Councillor Lorber urged members to defer the application and request the applicant to submit a revised scheme.
In responding to the concerns on access, Neil McClellan reiterated the advice by the Council’s Transportation officer that access to the building via the rear yard and parking would be acceptable.
In the ensuing discussion, Councillor Hashmi expressed concerns about the narrowness of the rear access and the problems that were likely to be caused as there were no parking controls and enforcement in The Boltons. He therefore put forward an amended motion for deferral. Councillor Cummins added that parking problems would result. Councillor Mitchell-Murray also expressed concerns about the ability of children to play in the area, refuse collection and the likely impact on the pavement.
Steve Weeks, Head of Area Planning stated that a large service area would be provided to the front, in accordance with advice by Transportation officers in addition to the parking spaces. He however recommended an additional condition on controlling the height of vehicles using the rear access.
The amended motion in the name of Councillor Hashmi was put to the vote and declared lost. Members then voted on the amended recommendation which was declared carried.
DECISION: Planning permission granted subject to conditions and an additional condition relating to the location and access to refuse collection. |
Supporting documents: