Agenda and minutes

To note the attendance at this meeting of any duly appointed Reserve Members.

Reserve Members may attend meetings:-

(i)                 to take the place of an ordinary Member for whom they are a reserve;

(ii)               where the ordinary Member will be absent for the whole of the meeting; and

(iii)             the meeting notes at the start of the meeting at the item ‘Reserves’ that the Reserve Member is or will be attending as a reserve;

(iv)              if a Reserve Member whose intention to attend has been noted arrives after the commencement of the meeting, then that Reserve Member can only act as a Member from the start of the next item of business on the agenda after his/her arrival.

RESOLVED:  To note the attendance at this meeting of the following duly appointed Reserve Member:-

To agree requests to speak from Councillors who are not Members of the Committee, in accordance with Committee Procedure 4.1.

RESOLVED:  That, in accordance with Committee Procedure Rule 4.1, the following Councillor, who was not a Member of the Committee, be allowed to speak on the agenda item indicated:

To receive declarations of disclosable pecuniary or non pecuniary interests, arising from business to be transacted at this meeting, from:

(a)               all Members of the Committee;

(b)               all other Members present.

RESOLVED:  To note that there were no declarations of interests made by Members.

That the minutes of the meeting held on 16 October 2013 be taken as read and signed as a correct record.

RESOLVED:  That the minutes of the meeting held on 16 October 2013 be taken as read and signed as a correct record.

To receive questions (if any) from local residents/organisations under the provisions of Committee Procedure Rule 17 (Part 4B of the Constitution).

RESOLVED:  To note that no public questions were put, or petitions or deputations received.

To receive references from Council and any other Committees or Panels (if any).

RESOLVED:  To note that there were none.

To confirm whether representations are to be received, under Committee Procedure Rule 30 (Part 4B of the Constitution), from objectors and applicants regarding planning applications on the agenda.

RESOLVED:  That in accordance with the provisions of Committee Procedure Rule 25.1 (Part 4B of the Constitution), that Procedural Rules 30.2 and 30.6 be suspended to allow an applicant to speak in connection with planning application 3/01 although no objector had registered to speak and the application was recommended for refusal by the officers.

Report of the Divisional Director, Planning - circulated separately.

Members are reminded that, in accordance with the Planning Protocol, where Councillors disagree with the advice of the Divisional Director, Planning, it will be the Members' responsibility to clearly set out the reasons for refusal where the Officer recommendation is for grant.  The planning reasons for rejecting the Officer's advice must be clearly stated, whatever the recommendation and recorded in the minutes.  The Officer must be given the opportunity to explain the implications of the contrary decision.

RESOLVED:  That authority be given to the Divisional Director of Planning to issue the decision notices in respect of the applications considered.

FIRST NATIONAL HOUSE, 53 - 61 COLLEGE ROAD, HARROW 

Reference:  P/2628/13 (Harrow The Hub Investments Ltd). Change of Use of the Ground Floor From Office (Class B1) to Retail (Class A1) with Minor External Alterations at Ground Floor Level.

It was noted that the application had been reported to the Planning Committee because the floor area for the proposed change of use would be greater than 400 sqm and therefore fell outside the Scheme of Delegation.

In response to questions, the Committee was informed that

·                     proposed Condition 3 restricted servicing and delivery to the premises to 03.00 to 06.00 Monday to Sunday and Bank Holidays.  Any variation to this could be challenged as the Condition was attached to the planning permission granted in April 2013 for change of use from office building to retail gym and education which could still be implemented;

·                     the principal concern of both the officers and Transport for London (tfl) was the servicing of the premises due to the physical restraints of the site.  The hours of 03.00 to 06.00 would enable the proposed moderate transit size vehicles to pull into the access way without pedestrian conflict.  There was flexibility for longer vehicles as the network of roads could accommodate something slightly larger.  Failure to adhere to that time slot could be subject to enforcement;  

·                     there were currently no residential properties in the vicinity.  However, it was understood that the applicant intended to change the use of the upper floors to residential use.

DECISION:  GRANTED permission for the development described in the application and submitted plans, subject to conditions and informatives.

The Committee wished it to be recorded that the decision to grant the application was unanimous.

KRISHNA-AVANTI PRIMARY SCHOOL, CAMROSE AVENUE, EDGWARE

Reference:   P/3112/13 (Avanti School Trust). Variation of Conditions 12 and 13 of Planning Permission P/1929/11 dated 28 March 2012 for Expansion of School from One to Two Form Entry and Single Storey Extension to Allow for Additional Pupil Numbers and for Use of Extension for Ancillary Activities.

Variation of Condition 12 (Use Class Restriction) From 'The Extension Hereby Permitted Shall Be Used For The Purpose Specified On The Application And For No Other Purpose Or For The Hire Of The Premises For Any Purpose, Including Any Other Purpose In Class D1 Of The Schedule To The Town And Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987 (Or In Any Provision Equivalent To That Class In Any Statutory Instrument Revoking And Re-Enacting That Order With Or Without Modification)' To 'The Extension Hereby Permitted Shall Be Used For Primary Education Only And For No Other Purpose And Shall Not Be Used Or Hired For Any Purpose, Including Any Other Purpose In Class D1 Of The Schedule To The Town And Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987 (Or In Any Provision Equivalent To That Class In Any Statutory Instrument  ...  view the full minutes text for item 476.

Report of the Divisional Director, Planning.

The Committee received a report which provided an overview of planning appeal decisions and enforcement statistics for Quarters 1 and 2 of 2013/14.

The officer reported that the second quarter planning appeal success rate had been outstanding for the Council, the numbers being well above the national average.

The number of planning enforcement notices issued had increased in the second quarter. Additional funding for two additional Enforcement Officers had been made available, one of whom had started work.  It was therefore hoped that a significant increase in enforcement would result.

RESOLVED:  That the report be noted.

To arrange dates for Member site visits that have been agreed during the course of the meeting (if any).

RESOLVED:  To note that there were no site visits to be arranged.