Application: 20/P0945

Ward: Raynes Park

Recommendation:Grant planning permission subject to the completion of a S106 agreement and conditions.

RESOLVED that the application number 20/P0945 be GRANTED planning permission subject to conditions.

Proposal: Erection of 2 x part-3, part-4 storey buildings comprising 9 x self-contained dwellings with 8 off-street car parking spaces, highway works and associated landscaping. Proposals include a land transfer to re-provide 18 CPZ parking spaces.

The Committee noted the report and plans presented by the Development Control Team Leader (South). The Committee also noted the modifications contained in the supplementary agenda.  The Development Control Team Leader (South) provided updates on various matters relating to the amendments.

Two residents had registered to speak in objection, and at the invitation of the Chair, raised a number of points including the following:

·         The scheme did not comply with the Council’s Green Spaces policy;

·         The proposed development was on land designated as a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation and Green Corridor and would result in the loss of 25 trees;

·         The proposed development would create poor quality living and would cause harm to the amenities of the area;

• the proposal would cause a significant loss of tree canopy cover, which helped alleviate regular flooding problems and improved air quality;
• Concerns relating to loss of trees; loss of a SINC and Green Corridor;

• Concerns relating to noise pollution for nearby residents;

The applicant’s agent had registered to speak, and at the invitation of the Chair, addressed the Committee with the following points:

·         Since the beginning of this project in November, 2019, there had been extensive pre application discussions and negotiations with the council offices and public consultation;

·         The proposed scheme would provide much needed homes in a highly sustainable location;

·         The design was revised in September 2020 on the advice of offices in order to provide three apartments rather than a single family home on the eastern part of the site. The two proposed blocks would be lower and subservient to land on court, comprising exceptional contemporary architecture with detailing that would significantly lift the character of the distance relying on court, therefore, scheme would not adversely affect the immunity of any local neighbouring residents,

·         The Council Environmental Health Officer had assessed the scheme and confirmed that there would be no adverse impacts of noise and vibrations from the adjoining railway line.

·         The proposal provided much needed homes in a sustainable location that had no detrimental impact on adjoining properties, it would enhance the appearance of the site through high quality inefficient architecture and improve the appearance and accessibility of white road by replacing existing on street parking with dedicated off street spaces.

Councillor Adam Bush (Ward Member for Raynes Park) had registered to speak on behalf of his ward.  He expressed his concerns regarding the overdevelopment of this proposal and advised the Committee to refuse the application. He explained to the Committee that the proposed application was situated in a very narrow conservation area, which was adjacent to a railway line, the new building would be on land that was designated as both were a site of importance for nature conservation and a green corridor. The development would cause a huge loss of green space and provided poor quality amenity space. The new homes would also suffer from excessive noise, due to the close proximity of the railway line. Furthermore, White Road was a narrow road which resulted residents to park on pavements.

During the debate, Members’ sought clarification on a number of various matters outlined in the report provided by the Development Control Team Leader (South).

The Chair moved to the vote on the officers’ recommendation and it was

RESOLVED that the application number 20/P0945 be GRANTED planning permission subject to s106 agreement and conditions.