Agenda and minutes

Councillor Alice Donovan welcomed everyone to the meeting. Members of the Committee and officers introduced themselves.

Apologies were received from Councillor Kat Fletcher.

There were no declarations of substitute members.

If you have a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest* in an item of business:

§  if it is not yet on the council’s register, you must declare both the existence and details of it at the start of the meeting or when it becomes apparent;

§  you may choose to declare a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest that is already in the register in the interests of openness and transparency. 

In both the above cases, you must leave the room without participating in discussion of the item.

If you have a personal interest in an item of business and you intend to speak or vote on the item you must declare both the existence and details of it at the start of the meeting or when it becomes apparent but you may participate in the discussion and vote on the item.

*(a)     Employment, etc - Any employment, office, trade, profession or vocation carried on for profit or gain.

(b) Sponsorship - Any payment or other financial benefit in respect of your expenses in carrying out duties as a member, or of your election; including from a trade union.

(c) Contracts - Any current contract for goods, services or works, between you or your partner (or a body in which one of you has a beneficial interest) and the council.

(d) Land - Any beneficial interest in land which is within the council’s area.

(e) Licences- Any licence to occupy land in the council’s area for a month or longer.

(f) Corporate tenancies - Any tenancy between the council and a body in which you or your partner have a beneficial interest.

 (g) Securities - Any beneficial interest in securities of a body which has a place of business or land in the council’s area, if the total nominal value of the securities exceeds £25,000 or one hundredth of the total issued share capital of that body or of any one class of its issued share capital. 

This applies to all members present at the meeting.

There were no declarations of interest.

The order of business would be B1, B2, B4-B9, B3, B11 and B10.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 20 April 2017 be confirmed as an accurate record of proceedings and the Chair be authorised to sign them.

Change of use of the building into seven residential dwellings (C3 use class), including extensions fronting Corinne Road at lower ground, ground floor and roof level and other external alterations including replacement timber windows with new timber windows throughout.  Associated landscaping and new fencing.

(Planning application number: P2015/5283/FUL)

In the discussion the following points were made:

·        Two letters of objection from a neighbouring resident had been received which had not been included in the report.  The planning officer read out a summary of these objections and informed the Sub-Committee that all issues raised had been addressed in the report.

·        The objector had asked that this item be deferred as he had not been informed about the date of the meeting.  However, members considered that as he was present at the meeting and could hear the submissions this carried little weight and agreed not to defer the application.

·        Regarding the daylight/sunlight report, the loss of sunlight to the garden at 200 Brecknock Road was greater than a 20% loss, however this was considered by the Sub-Committee to be a breach of such a level to be weighed against the benefits of the scheme coming forward. All other neighbouring premises were BRE guideline compliant.

·        Where the distance of neighbouring windows was less than 18m, three windows at ground floor level in the north eastern elevation of the proposed extension would be obscure glass to prevent overlooking. One of these serves a living room area, however the living room had another window to another elevation which would not be obscure glazed, maintaining a good level of outlook and providing good level of amenity for future occupiers.

RESOLVED:

That planning permission be granted subject to the conditions and informatives set out in Appendix 1 of the officer report and subject to the prior completion of a Deed of Planning Obligation made under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 securing the heads of terms as set out in Appendix 1 of the officer report.

Retention of existing timber clad outbuilding, with a reduction in size (from 3.6m deep x 4.65 wide x 2.8m high to 2.5m deep x 3.7m wide and 2.8 high) and excavation with lowering into the ground (by 200mm) located to the end of the rear garden, re-orientation of timber cladding from horizontal to vertical orientation.

(Planning application number: P2016/0261/FUL and P2016/0309/LBC)

In the discussion the following points were made:

·        Permission was granted for the height of the outbuilding at 25 College Cross at 2.15m.  The height of the current outbuilding at 27 College Cross was 2.8 m reduced to 2.6 including ground excavation of 200m proposed.  There was also a difference in land levels which reduced the appearance of height.

·        It was considered that the existing overhang of 30cms increased the total perceived scale and mass of the structure and increase the visibility of the roof from neighbouring properties.

Councillor Jenny Kay proposed a motion to condition the removal of the overhang. This was seconded by Councillor Khan and carried.

RESOLVED:

That planning permission be granted subject to the conditions and informatives set out in Appendix 1 and Appendix 2 of the officer report and the additional condition outlined above; the wording of which was delegated to officers and detailed as follows:-

·        Condition 6:

Notwithstanding the approved drawings planning permission is not granted for the overhanging roof to the front elevation. The proposed roof shall match the dimensions of the footprint in area 3.7m wide by 2.5m deep.

REASON: In order to safeguard the special architectural or historic interest of the heritage asset and the residential amenity of neighbouring properties.

Redevelopment of existing open hard landscaped to provide 2 no. two-storey, two bedroom residential units.  A public access route through the estate will be maintained within the proposals.

(Planning application number: P2017/1736/FUL)

RESOLVED:

That planning permission be granted subject to the conditions and informatives set out in Appendix 1 of the officer report and subject to the prior completion of a Directors’ Agreement made under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 securing the heads of terms as set out in Appendix 1 of the officer report.

Full planning permission:  Retrospective application for the installation of a free-standing solar-powered Smart Bench featuring four branding surfaces and a customer interface.

Advertisement consent: Retrospective application for the erection of 3no. non-illuminated signs displayed on the free-standing solar-powered Smart Bench featuring four branding surfaces and a customer interface.

(Planning application number: P2017/1530/FUL & P2017/1590/ADV)

In the discussion the following points were made:

·        The applicant had confirmed by email on the day of the Sub-Committee that no more than 1 advertisement would be displayed at any one time with the remaining surfaces either blank or containing information about the Smart Bench (i.e user instructions or Wi-Fi).

·        The content of the advertisements used could not be controlled by planning condition.

·        It was noted that the smart benches could have been installed by the council as highways authority using permitted development rights.

·        Members considered that there was a very small public benefit which needed to be weighed against the public harm.

·        The direct financial benefit to any charity advertised was not a material planning consideration.

·        The contract was for ten years (which was not a relevant planning consideration), although if granted permission this would not be time limited.

·        Following the publication of the report 9 letters of support and 1 further letter of objection had been received.

·        The applicant had stated that in this location it was proposed to have 1 advertisement on the front pillar only.

·        There was no knowledge of any police incidents following the installation of the smart bench however the concerns of the police were detailed in the report.

·        This bench replaced an existing bench which was a low level bench and not visible from the views across Islington Green.

·        The consideration that the benches added to the street clutter and was not appropriate for the area.

RESOLVED:

That planning permission and advertisement consent be refused for the reasons set out in Appendix 1 of the report.

Full planning permission:  Retrospective application for the installation of a free-standing solar-powered Smart Bench featuring four branding surfaces and a customer interface.

Advertisement consent: Retrospective application for the erection of 3no. non-illuminated signs displayed on the free-standing solar-powered Smart Bench featuring four branding surfaces and a customer interface.

(Planning application number: P2017/1567/FUL & P2017/1636/ADV)

In the discussion the following points were made:

·        The applicant had confirmed by email on the day of the Sub-Committee that no more than 1 advertisement would be displayed at any one time with the remaining surfaces either blank or containing information about the Smart Bench (i.e user instructions or Wi-Fi).

·        The content of the advertisements used could not be controlled by planning condition.

·        It was noted that the smart benches could have been installed by the council as highways authority using permitted development rights.

·        Members considered that there was a very small public benefit which needed to be weighed against the public harm.

·        The direct financial benefit to any charity advertised was not a material planning consideration.

·        The contract was for ten years (which was not a relevant planning consideration) although if granted permission this would not be time limited.

·        Following the publication of the report 7 letters of support and 1 further letter of objection had been received.

·        There was no knowledge of any police incidents following installation of the smart bench however the concerns of the police were detailed in the report.

·        That consideration be given to reducing rather than increasing the amount of street clutter.

·        This was a replacement of an existing bench which would be taller but kept to a minimum height.

RESOLVED:

That planning permission and advertisement consent be refused for the reasons set out in Appendix 1 of the report.

Full planning permission:  Retrospective application for the installation of a free-standing solar-powered Smart Bench featuring four branding surfaces and a customer interface.

Advertisement consent: Retrospective application for the erection of 3no. non-illuminated signs displayed on the free-standing solar-powered Smart Bench featuring four branding surfaces and a customer interface.

(Planning application number: P2017/1554/FUL & P2017/1602/ADV)

In the discussion the following points were made:

·        The applicant had confirmed by email on the day of the Sub-Committee that no more than 1 advertisement would be displayed at any one time with the remaining surfaces either blank or containing information about the Smart Bench (i.e user instructions or Wi-Fi).

·        The content of the advertisements used could not be controlled by planning condition.

·        It was noted that the smart benches could have been installed by the council as highways authority using permitted development rights.

·        Members considered that there was a very small public benefit which needed to be weighed against the public harm.

·        The direct financial benefit to any charity advertised was not grounds for consideration.

·        The contract was for ten years (which was not a relevant planning consideration) although if granted permission this would not be time limited.

·        Following the publication of the report 9 letters of support and 1 further letter of objection had been received.

·        The bench did not replace an existing bench.

·        The bench had been situated directly outside a Grade II building and would add to the clutter in the existing street scene contrary to Policy DM2.6. It was also contrary to the NPPF.

·        Councilor Khan advised that he was not further convinced of further public benefit from air quality monitoring details against the harm caused.

RESOLVED:

That planning permission and advertisement consent be refused for the reasons set out in Appendix 1 of the report.

Full planning permission:  Retrospective application for the installation of a free-standing solar-powered Smart Bench featuring four branding surfaces and a customer interface.

(Planning application number: P2017/1566/FUL)

In the discussion the following points were made:

·        It was noted that the smart benches could have been installed by the council as highways authority using permitted development rights.

·        Members considered that there was a very small public benefit which needed to be weighed against the public harm.

·        The direct financial benefit to any charity advertised was not a material planning consideration.

·        The contract was for a ten year period (which was not a material planning consideration), although if granted permission this would not be time limited.

·        Following the publication of the report 12 letters of support and 4 further letters of objection had been received.

·        The bench did not replace an existing bench.

·        There was no knowledge of any police incidents following the installation of the smart bench however the concerns of the police were detailed in the report.

·        The application for the smart bench and advertisement consent were taken as two separate items following legal advice.

·        The metropolitan police were considered to be the experts regarding crime and disorder.

RESOLVED:

That planning permission be refused for the reasons set out in Appendix 1 of the report.

Retrospective application for the erection of 3no. non-illuminated signs displayed on the free-standing solar-powered Smart Bench featuring four branding surfaces and a customer interface.

(Planning application number: P2017/1566/FUL)

In the discussion the following points were made:

·        The applicant had confirmed by email on the day of the Sub-Committee that no more than 2 advertisements would be displayed at any one time.

·        The content of the advertisements used could not be controlled by planning condition.

·        The direct financial benefit to any charity advertised was not grounds for consideration and was not an issue that could be weighed in favour of an advertisement consent application.

·        The contract was for a ten year period, although if granted permission this would not be time limited.

·        Following the publication of the report 12 letters of support and 4 further letters of objection had been received.

·        The application for the smart bench and advertisement consent were taken as two separate items following legal advice.

·        Members were concerned regarding the location of the advertisements and considered that they would have an unacceptable impact on visual amenity.

Councillor Khan proposed a motion to refuse the application on the grounds of visual amenity with its proximity to the Grade 1St Lukes Church. This was seconded by Councillor Donovan-Hart and carried.

RESOLVED:

That advertisement consent be refused for the reasons set out above, the wording of which was delegated to officers in conjunction with the chair and detailed as follows:-

REASON: The proposed advertisements, by reason of their number, size and siting on the Smart Bench would be unduly prominent and have a detrimental visual impact on the amenity of the area when viewed within context of the Grade I listed St Lukes Church and the setting of the St Lukes Conservation Area located within close proximity. As such the proposal would be contrary to policies CS8 and CS (of the Islington Core Strategy (2011), policies DM2.1, 2.3 and 2.6 of the Islington Development Management Policies (2013) and the Islington Urban Design Guide (2017).

Full planning permission:  Retrospective application for the installation of a free-standing solar-powered Smart Bench featuring four branding surfaces and a customer interface.

Advertisement consent: Retrospective application for the erection of 3no. non-illuminated signs displayed on the free-standing solar-powered Smart Bench featuring four branding surfaces and a customer interface.

(Planning application number: P2017/1563/FUL & P2017/1619/ADV)

In the discussion the following points were made:

·        The applicant had confirmed by email on the day of the Sub-Committee that no more than 2 advertisements would be displayed at any one time.

·        The content of the advertisements used could not be controlled by planning condition.

·        It was noted that the smart benches could have been installed by the council as highways authority using permitted development rights.

·        Members considered that there was a very small public benefit which needed to be weighed against the public harm.

·        The direct financial benefit to any charity advertised was not a material planning consideration.

·        The contract was for a ten year period (which was not a material planning consideration), athough if granted permission this would not be time limited.

·        Following the publication of the report 8 letters of support and 1 further letter of objection had been received.

·        The bench was a replacement of an existing bench and was not in a conservation area.

·        The pavement was wide and the bench was not considered to be visually dominant.

·        The application was consistent with policy.

RESOLVED:

That planning permission and advertisement consent be granted subject to the conditions and informatives set out in Appendix 1 of the officer report with the amendment to condition 6 as follows:-

A maximum number of 2 advertisements can be displayed at any one time on the following areas: front pillar, side pillar, inner side, door and interface. In addition, the maximum area of advertising per surface is set as following:

Front Pillar: 60%

Side Pillar: 40%

Inner Side: 30%

Door: 100%

Interface: 100%

REASON: To ensure the adverts do not have an adverse effect on the amenity of the locality.

Section 73 application to vary Condition 2 (Drawings) of Planning Permission reference P2015/3442/FUL for the ‘refurbishment of pitch to include artificial turf pitch, plus new entrance with ramp, cycle standards, associated fencing, lighting and safety surfaces’.

(Planning application number: P2017/0819/S73)

RESOLVED:

That planning permission be granted subject to the conditions and informatives set out in Appendix 1 of the officer report and subject to the prior completion of a Directors’ Agreement made under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 securing the heads of terms as set out in Appendix 1 of the officer report.

Replacement of existing single glazed Crittal windows with double glazed aluminium units on the rear elevation.

(Planning application number: P2017/0343/FUL)

RESOLVED:

That planning permission be granted subject to the conditions and informatives set out in Appendix 1 of the officer report.