Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Laxmi Attawar, who was replaced on the Committee by Councillor John Dehaney

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Marsie Skeete and Dave Ward.

Councillor Dennis Pearce attended as a substitute.

There were no declarations of interest.

RESOLVED:  That the minutes of the meeting held on 17 January 2019 were agreed as an accurate record.

The Chair will announce the order of Items at the beginning of the Meeting.

A Supplementary Agenda with any modifications will be published on the day of the meeting.

Note: there is no written report for this item

Supplementary Agenda: Amendments and modifications to the Officer’s report were published in a Supplementary Agenda. This applied to items 5 and 6.

Order of the meeting – The Chair announced that the items would be taken in the following order 6, 5, 7, and 8.

Application No: 18/P3505               Ward: Merton Park

Officer Recommendation: Grant Planning Permission subject to Conditions

Granted Planning Permission subject to Conditions

Proposal: Continued use of Units 6 – 10 as a shop (use class A1) together with additional use as a tuition centre (use class D1) and flexible office space (use classes A2 and B1a). Toilet block to the rear of Unit 12 to remain as existing.

The Committee noted the officer’s report and presentation and additional information in the Supplementary Agenda - Modifications

In reply to Members’ questions, the planning Team Leader replied:

·         There is no minimum space standard for such offices, the key factor is accessibility which is satisfactory in this application

·         It is not uncommon to have different types of commercial property next door to each other

Members commented that  this application provides a practical and pragmatic  use of the site given the current situation for retail units in Morden Town Centre

RESOLVED

The Committee voted to GRANT Planning Permission subject to conditions

NOTE - Officers received information after the Committee:

Following the sub-division of the premises the application site has been recorded, for the purposes of the Council’s Land charges records and street numbering records,  as 10 London Road, Morden

Application Number: 18/P3533                  Ward: Hillside

Officer Recommendation: Grant Planning Permission subject to Conditions

Granted Planning Permission subject to Conditions

Proposal: Demolition of existing dwelling house and erection of 2 x semi-detached houses (with accommodation at basement level and within the roof space) together with off-street parking and associated landscaping.

The Committee noted the officer’s report and presentation and additional information in the Supplementary Agenda- Modifications. The Committee also noted a further correction to the report; the property is not in a Conservation Area.

The Committee received verbal representations from two objectors to the application and from the Agent to the application.

The Objectors made points including:

·         This proposal is massively greater than the existing house

·         Neighbours will lose their privacy at the back

·         Overlooking from the rear ensuite bathroom

·         Concerned that the flat roof at the rear could be converted into a balcony

·         This is a flood risk; the basement of the house opposite has to be regularly pumped out

·         Suspect drainage problems at other properties on the street

·         Request that materials used are those allowed in the previous applications; Red brick and clay tiles. This will blend in better with the street

·         This is the fourth application in 10 years and is very stressful for the neighbours

·         This application overshadows neighbouring properties and adds 50% of floorspace to the previous application allowed in 2018

·         Welcome the removal of the lightwells and the narrowing of the basement. Not sure if this narrowing is enough to protect the Eucryphia Tree,

·         If allowed want the tree protection to meet BS5837

The Agent to the Application made points including:

·         Assured neighbours that first floor windows up to 1.7m would be obscure glazed and fixed shut

·         The flat roof will not be suitable for use as a balcony. If a future resident wanted to create such a balcony they would have to get planning permission

·         The construction of the Basement is supported by technical assessment. Merton Council raised questions which were answered by the applicant’s engineers. It now meets Council Policy and a Basement Method Statement is required by condition

·         The size of the basement was reduced to protect the neighbour’s trees. This has met with approval by Merton’s Tree Officer.

·         Houses in the immediate vicinity of the application site have different materials. This application for London Stock Brick and Slate tiles is widely used and is acceptable in this area. The NPPF encourages planning authorities to not impose stylistic conditions on applications.

In reply to Members’ Questions, the Planning Team Leader replied:

·         This application does have a larger footprint than the scheme allowed in 20189 because of the basement that extends at the rear. But the ground floor and height are the same as the previous application

·         Local Planning Authorities cannot force applicants to implement permissions, and cannot stop further applications on a site with a previous permission.

·         If allowed this permission will have pre-commencement conditions that must be met  by the applicant submitting information before any construction can begin. These must be approved by the Council’s Flood Risk Engineer and Structural Engineer.  If building work started before these conditions had been  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

RESOLVED

The Committee noted the report on Planning Appeal Decisions

A member made comments regarding the enforcement action at 1 Caxton Road.

A member asked for up to date information regarding the enforcement action at the Burn Bullock site.

RESOLVED

The Committee noted the Enforcement Officer’s report.