Agenda item

The demolition of the existing buildings on the southern part of the Former Ashmount School site and the erection of 46 residential units in three blocks with associated landscaping.

(Planning application number: P2015/2913/FUL)

Councillors Poyser and Spall, who had declared an interest in this item, left the table for the consideration of this item.

In the discussion the following points were made:

·         An addendum report had been circulated and a copy would be interleaved with the agenda. In the addendum report a number of conditions had been amended.

·         The planning officer confirmed that the community use agreement for the Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) would be secured as part of the S106 agreement related to the Whitehall Park School planning permission. Proposed condition 25 of this recommendation also sought details to secure access from this development into the MUGA outside of school hours, the details of which were to be drawn up in conjunction with the school’s S106 requirement.

·         Following concern from objectors that there might not be sufficient playspace for those over 12 years old, the planning officer stated that they would be able to use the MUGA. When the MUGA was not available (due to the school being in session) then those children would also still be at school themselves.

·         There was an eclectic mix of architectural styles of houses and flats on Ashmount Road and within the wider conservation area.

·         A member suggested that the design of the Ashmount Road elevation could be improved by more detailed modelling, including picking up on the brickwork variations in the conservation area.

·         Contractors should engage with the school and the Education Funding Authority (EFA) to ensure construction would not affect the children’s learning.

·         A member referred to initial concerns regarding overshadowing, but was reassured by the dual aspect design of the main habitable rooms.

·         The Design Review Panel were not concerned about the loss of trees as they would be reprovided.

·         It was noted that the lost trees would be replaces at a greater number and would achieve a slightly greater canopy cover, and future residents would be made aware of the relationship with retained trees.

·         A member commented that the architects, PTE had done good work in the borough previously.

·         Compromises had to be made in applying policies and in this case it was considered that safeguards had been put in place to mitigate problems and deliver social benefits.

·         The scheme provided a high percentage of affordable housing, for which there was a desperate need.

Councillor Klute proposed a motion to add conditions to require further detailed modelling work to be conducted on the design of the Ashmount Road elevation and to require the contractors to engage with the school so that construction could go ahead and not affect the children’s learning. These were seconded by Councillor Fletcher and carried.

RESOLVED:

That planning permission be granted subject to the conditions and informatives set out in Appendix 1 of the officer report as amended by the addendum report and the conditions set out above, the wording of which was delegated to officers; plus 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.