Presentation by the applicants, the Aitch Group
Minutes:
The Panel received a presentation from the Aitch Group on proposals for the development of Northolt Retail Park with just under 200 homes and an element of commercial use. Members were informed that the developer was currently working on the Grange Farm development which was adjacent to the site. It was noted that pre application meetings and meetings with the GLA had taken place. It was further noted that public consultation would take place during the next couple of weeks with the aim of the submission of a planning application in the next couple of months.
The developer drew particular attention to the following:
· the proximity of the site to Northolt Airport limited the building height to 5-6 storeys;
· the provision of 0.3 parking spaces per unit. There would be podium parking with 10% accessible, with services on shared surfaces. The Healthy Streets initiative was being followed with regard to the improvement of cycling provision;
· the development would be divided into a linear block, central courtyard and mews block and a new public access would be activated.
A Member observed that whilst the proposals for 70 parking spaces for just under 200 homes and a lot of facilities for cycling would encourage residents to move from carbon forms of transport, were the developers aware that there were not very good facilities for cyclists in Harrow, for example cycle lanes on roads which disappeared into the road network. She further enquired as to the number of charging units proposed for the 70 spaces. In response to the latter point the developer stated that 14 electric charging points would be installed at the inset and the remainder could be easily updated as the ducting would be in place. The utility assessment would look at the requirement for all to have fast charging facilities.
With regard to cycling, the developer stated that it was a balance between parking and cycling and the approach would be discussed with the planning officers, TfL and the Council’s highways officers. It was further stated that the TfL healthy street initiative concerned routes from site to the closest cycle routes and an assessment had been sent to TfL with information fed into TfL data to improve cycling infrastructure. A number of their projects involved infrastructure in need of upgrade, for example looking at uplift of Phase 1 at the Grange Farm development.
A Member enquired as to the change in the amount of retail, how the retail offer would connect to the parking provision and the route to Waitrose. In response it was noted that there would be a reduction in retail floor space from 2000 square metres to 300 square metres. The officers were keen for the scheme to have commercial and retail elements although such use was not protected. The Member observed that the location of the retail space could make it difficult for customers to be drawn into the area as it would be difficult to see where it was. In response, the developer shared that concern and undertook to discuss with the officers whether retail would be viable in that location or whether something to support residential use, for example a community gym or community café, would be a more suitable use. At the suggestion of a Member, the officers undertook to put the developers in touch with Youth Zone who were looking for a site in the area. The Corporate Director Environment referred to a proposition to provide a holistic facility for young people in Wealdstone.
In response to questions from Members, the Panel was informed that:
· discussions were taken place regarding activation of the public space;
· the developer was targeting 35% affordable housing and the mix was under discussion with the officers. The scheme would be tenure blind;
· discussions were taking place with Waitrose regarding a land swap and scale. The aim was to improve routes where possible. The retail units and Waitrose currently shared car parking and Waitrose had said that it would require about 230 car parking spaces.
The Chair thanked the presenters for their attendance.
RESOLVED: That the presentation be noted.