Application number: 17/P2878    Ward: Village

Officer Recommendation: Grant Planning Permission subject to conditions

Proposal: Erection of a new detached garage with basement car park and erection of a two storey side extension with basement games room.

The Committee noted the officers report and presentation and additional information in the Supplementary Agenda. The Planning Team Leader introduced the application and stated that the Basement Car Park was not to be used for commercial purposes, would have parking for 8 cars and had a depth of 4.4m from ground to flor level. The House Basement would have a depth of 3.2m from ground to floor level.

The Committee received verbal representations from two objectors to the application, the Applicant’s Agent and the Ward Councillor Hamish Badenoch.

Leon Fattal, a local resident,  raised objections to the application including:

·         The application fails to meet Merton Council’s own Policy on Basement developments

·         There is no Basement Impact assessment as required by policy DMD2, and the application is not compliant with this policy

·         The proposal presents a serious risk of subsidence

·         There are uncertain ground water flows

·         The application will damage 14 trees on the site and 8 trees on  Neighbouring sites

·         The trees are an important part of the Conservation Area and are of significant amenity value

·         The new condition 21 will do nothing to prevent this

·         Why is there no Traffic Management Plan

Matthew McFeely, a lawyer representing local residents made points including:

·         Our expert reports raise serious concerns

·         The Officer’s report takes the view that nothing can be said by the experts employed by the objectors

·         It would be unlawful to grant permission based on the Officer’s report

·         There is crucial information missing, there is no Basement Impact Assessment and basic information, the depth of the basement, is missing

·         The only experts who meet the qualification standards to advise on subsidence are those employed by the objectors

·         There is no rational to proceed with this application, the Committee cannot accept the Officer’s report

The Applicant’s Agent made points including:

·         Application has been with The Council for 8 Months now

·         25 of the representations received come from the same three properties

·         All of the applicant’s surveys have been prepared by experts

·         The application will not impact on the Conservation Area or Listed Buildings

·         Trees will not be harmed, trees close to the site have been assessed. The application will result in an increase in trees, with native species being planted

·         Council Officers have no objections, Merton’s Basement Policy is clear and has been complied with

·         A detailed Basement Construction Method Statement has been submitted

·         Site Specific Flood Risk has been assessed as no risk

·         There are no recorded issues with surface water

·         Measures for mitigating flood risk are in place, and the fold risk officer has no objections

·         The Proposal will not impact on neighbours or the Conservation Area

·         All of the neighbour objections will be dealt with either by condition or through Building Regulations

·         All necessary information has been on the Council’s website since September

Councillor Hamish Badenoch made points including:

·         There are many  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5