Application Number:16/P2971                  Ward: Lavender Fields

Recommendation: GRANT Planning Permission subject to completion of a S106 agreement and conditions.

Proposal: Demolition of existing building and the erection of a part 3 storey, part 4 storey (with setback) residential block comprising 14 x residential units,

provision of 8 on-street car parking spaces (subject to Traffic Management

Order) and 20 cycle parking spaces.

The Committee noted the officer’s report and presentation, additional information in the Supplementary agenda, verbal presentations from three objectors, the agent for the application and ward Councillor Ross Garrod.

The objectors raised residents’ concerns including:

·         The height of the building in relation to the Tall Buildings Paper

·         The overpowering effect on the streets

·         Erosion of the character due to its scale and height

·         The perceived height of the building above the others nearby

·         That it was out of character with the surrounding area

·         The high number of objections

·         The building being built in an area of local character

·         The marketing of the site by Developers

·         The loss of sunlight

·         Loss of privacy and visual intrusion

The Agent to the application asked the committee to note points including:

·         The application has been subject to 18 months of discussions.

·         This would be a redevelopment of a derelict site

·         Affordable Housing was included within the proposal

·         The proposal included a £180,000 CIL payment

·         The parking would be increased in the area with the proposal

·         Sunlight assessments had been undertaken and the levels would be above the suggested levels all compliance would be achieved

Councillor Ross Garrod made pointsincluding:

·         The large number of representations received including a petition, noting this was one of the largest number of representations received for an application of this size

·         Inadequate parking provision

·         The building was out of scale with the surroundings

·         Concerns about the safety of the changes to the yellow lines

·         Lack of privacy

·         The proposed building is too large

The Planning Officer advised that Church Road was subject to a diverse range of building types and did not reflect the character that objectors referred to, and that the surrounding areas contained flats and other buildings which were higher than the one proposed. The Planning Officer advised that quantitative  assessments had been carried out in relation to loss of light.

In response to questions, the Planning Officer responded:

·         The Planning Officers had fully engaged with Highways Officers and the applicant to look at extra options in the street locally to accommodate vehicles.

·         The report was comprehensive and properly reflected the analysis done by the applicant.

·         Vacant property levels in the borough were high and it would be unreasonable with the known need for affordable housing to frustrate the application based on the marketing of the site.

Members expressed concerns that a more pleasing design could be achieved and Councillor Peter Southgate suggested a deferral to the Design and Review Panel who would meet on 24 May 2017.

Following further comments, the Chair asked the Committee to vote on the motion to defer.

Members voted on the motion to defer, pending comments from the Design and Review Panel and the motion was carried.

RESOLVED: That the application is deferred pending comments from the Design and Review Panel.