Agenda item

Erection of a new building, up to 5 storeys in height, to provide 30 flats, together with associated amenity space and detached refuse store. 

(Planning application number: P2018/4131/FUL)

In the discussion the following points were made:

·         The Planning Officer reminded Members that a scheme for 29 units was originally presented to the Planning committee on 18^th May 2020 with a recommendation for approval subject to conditions and a Section 106 agreement.

·         Members were advised that a final decision had not been issued by the Council , however applicant has taken the opportunity to submit a revised scheme to include one additional unit through the subdivision of one of the units into 2 flats.

·         Members were reminded that all issues had been considered by the Committee in May which is appended to the report. No issues have arisen as a result of the minor revision.

·         Meeting was advised of a correction in the report which indicated that there were 2 objectors instead of 3 and that the issues raised by the third objector are similar and had been fully addressed and considered when planning permission was granted.

·         The Planning Officer advised that with the revised scheme there will be no noticeable external alterations except an increase in the width of a 4^th floor terrace pillar by 10cm.

·         Meeting was informed that although the revised scheme would result in the reduction of the proportion of affordable housing to 50% by unit it is still policy compliant.

·         In terms of the quality of residential accommodation, the Planning Officer advised that the sub division of the 4^th floor flat will result in two 1- bed units with floor space of 58sqm and 66sqm which exceeds the minimum national standard of 50sqm for a 1-bed/2 persons flat.

·         In response to a question on loss of light, the Planning Officer advised that the units would be dual aspect with good access to good natural light and ventilation with the smaller flat benefitting from 6sqm of external amenity space in the form of a balcony whilst the larger unit would enjoy a balcony and roof terrace.

·         A member raised concern over the use of a gas boiler in terms of carbon reduction.  Officers clarified that planning policy allows the use of communal gas boilers where connection to a decentralised energy network or to a combined heating and power system is not feasible, which is the case with this application.  The Planning Officer advised that no objections had been received from the Council’s Energy Officer when the scheme was originally submitted in May 2020.

·         On the suggestion of including an additional condition stating that notwithstanding the present energy option proposal and for the energy strategy to be revisited in the future, the Planning Officer advised that this is included in the S106 agreement, however an informative could be included with the planning permission to reinforce the view of the committee on this issue.

·         On the issue of future proofing and connection to decentralised energy network, members were advised that this is a requirement under the s106 agreement if it is proved to be feasible in the future, however at the moment there is no plan as there is no distribution network within 500m of the site.

·         In addition to the above, the Planning Officer reassured members that  the hierarchy options as stipulated in policy 5.3 of the London plan Energy and Heating cooling strategy, the local network, the combined heating and power network and finally the communal heating and cooling had all been considered and assessed.

·         In response to an enquiry about Air and Ground source heat pumps, the planning officer advised that the council’s energy officer has stated that solar, air source and ground source and biomass were all tested but ruled out.

RESOLVED:

That following consideration of the case officer’s report (the assessment and recommendations therein), the presentation to Committee, submitted representations and objections, 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.