Agenda item

The demolition of the sunken play pitch (site 1), community centre and adjacent caretaker’s lodge (site 2) and the construction of a new community centre [282.42 sqm GIA] (site 2) and 46 new dwellings (private and affordable) in four blocks (sites 1 and 2) ranging in height from two to six storeys with associated amenity space, bicycle parking spaces and improvements to the public realm (including to Zoffany Park, site 3).

Additionally, stopping up of an area of existing highway to the north and west of Duncombe Road and land immediately west of 158-178 St Johns Way under Section 247 of the Planning Act 1990 to enable redevelopment of Site 1.

(Planning application number: P2018/2269/FUL)

In the discussion the following points were made:

·         The addendum report set out consultation responses received since the report was published and members read these and the officers responses to them. Additional costs such as the new community centre were noted by members. These costs meant the scheme had a lower level of affordable housing provision than would normally be expected in a council scheme. Members noted concerns about parking, but also that the parking capacity study identified that even with the development, parking would be adequate.

·         In response to a member’s question, the planning officer advised that three of the units had one aspect onto a lightwell with restricted outlook. This was due to there being a lower ground floor on one side of the building due to the topography of the site. These units had outside amenity space and planning officers considered the arrangements acceptable.

·         The planning officer confirmed that the scheme had twice been to the Design Review Panel and had been revised to respond to the panel’s comments. The only compromise was a change in the roof line of one element on site 1, which helped to facilitate four units being delivered and assisted with the overall viability of the scheme, helping to maximise affordable housing provision.

·         The planning officer confirmed that the Stopping Up requirement was due to some of the land to be landscaped or built over being adopted highway (e.g. footpath). This had to be de-designated before building could begin.

·         The planning officer stated that the NPPF quoted on page 23 of the officer report should be 2019 and not 2018.

·         Members considered that the scheme would improve a redundant part of the Elthorne Estate and the upgrades to the public realm and a new community centre were welcomed.

·         A member highlighted the fact that the scheme was not simply a housing scheme but also delivered upgrades to the wider estate, including a new community centre, play facilities and public realm enhancements and that this was a benefit of the scheme.

RESOLVED:

1)       That following consideration of the case officer’s report (the assessment and recommendations therein), the presentation to Committee, and in the absence of any objections, planning permission be granted subject to the conditions and informatives set out in Appendix 1 of the officer report and conditional upon the prior completion of a Directors’ Agreement securing the heads of terms as set out in Appendix 1 of the officer report.

2)       That the starting of the stopping up process be approved subject to the applicant entering into an indemnity agreement to pay all the council’s costs in respect of the stopping up.