Agenda item

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.

In accordance with the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985, the Addendum was admitted late to the agenda as it contained information relating to various items on the agenda and was based on information received after the despatch of the agenda.  It was admitted to the agenda in order to enable Members to consider all information relevant to the items before them for decision.

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

MORRISONS SUPERMARKET PLC, 299 UXBRIDGE ROAD, HATCH END, PINNER, HA5 4QT

Reference:  P/2376/12 (Morrison Supermarkets PLC). Construction of a Ramped Car Park Deck and Two Staircase/Lift Enclosures; Alterations to Existing Parking Layout and Provision of New External ATM Pod; Landscaping.

It was reported that a site visit had taken place.  An officer introduced the report and drew attention to the addendum.  It was reported that confirmation was awaited on some of the Heads of Terms for the Legal Agreement.

In response to questions, it was noted that:

·                     given the distance across the railway to the nearest residential properties, the deck screening was considered appropriate both as a buffer and for light;

·                     there was no specific evidence to suggest a large extent of commuter parking in the car park;

·                     a full Travel Plan had been prepared for the site.  It would be a finalised plan with reasonable and fair targets;

·                     the traffic movement routes around the car park could be formalised.  Whilst not strictly enforceable as it was not part of the highway, most drivers adhered to the signed routes;

·                     the officers understood that it was the intention of the Applicant to implement the extant planning permission.  The strategy for the Head of Terms management plan was that parking would not be authorised on the area identified in the permission for the supermarket extension.

The Committee received representations from one objector, Paul Giles, and the applicant, Ed Kemsley.

DECISION: 

(1)               GRANTED permission for the development as described on the application and submitted plans, as amended by the addendum, subject to the completion of a Section 106 agreement by 13 September 2013, conditions and informatives reported;

(2)               the delegation to the Divisional Director of Planning, in consultation with the Director of Legal and Governance Services, for the sealing of the Section 106 Agreement and to agree any minor amendments to the conditions or the legal agreement be approved;

(3)               should the Section 106 Agreement not be completed by 13 September 2013, the decision to REFUSE planning permission be delegated to the Divisional Director of Planning on the grounds as set out in the report.

The Committee wished it to be recorded that the decision to grant the application was as follows:

CouncillorsMrinal Choudhury, Keith Ferry, Graham Henson, Manji Kara, Joyce Nickolay and Bill Phillips voted to grant planning permission

Councillor Stephen Wright abstained.

324 RAYNERS LANE, HARROW, HA5 5ED

Reference:  P/2922/12 (Chase Properties Uk Ltd). Change of Use of Retail (Use Class A1) to Estate Agent (Use Class A2).

The Committee was informed that it was considered an appropriate use although it was a departure from planning policy. The change of use to A2 would be restricted to estate agent.

The highway authority had no objection. There was insufficient space for secure cycle space but facilities were available by the tube station.

DECISION:  GRANTED permission for the development as described on the application and submitted plans, as amended by the addendum, subject to the conditions and informatives reported

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

PINNER PARK INFANT AND NURSERY SCHOOL & PINNER PARK JUNIOR SCHOOL MELBOURNE AVENUE, PINNER, HA5 5SJ

Reference:  P/3109/12 (Harrow Council). Construction of Two Storey Extension to Provide a New Teaching Block and a Single Storey Hall Extension to the Junior School Involving Construction of a Covered Walkway Linking the Extensions with the Main School Building;  Construction of a Two Storey Extension to the Infant School together with Single Storey Entrance Lobby and Provision of External Canopies; Provision of a New Entrance for the Junior and Infant School; Provision of New Hard Play Areas and Soft Landscaping; New Boundary Treatment including New Pedestrian Gates; Provision of New Shared Car Park for Both Schools; Provision of Bin Store; Demolition of Existing Caretakers Dwellinghouse (To Increase Both the Junior and Infant Schools from a 3 Form Entry to a 4 Form Entry Primary School).

An officer reported that a site visit had taken place.  It was noted that additional representations had been received from Sports England who did not object subject to the inclusion of a condition regarding a Community Use Scheme.  Notwithstanding the objection from the Environment Agency, it was considered that the Flood Risk Assessment was acceptable and did not warrant refusal of the application.  The Environment Agency had suggested an infiltration system but this was not considered to work on the existing clay soil of the site.

In response to questions it was noted that:

·                     the car parking was like for like.  A Construction Management Plan was required to ease congestion;

·                     the Head of Development Management and Building Control attends the School Organisation Officer Group in order to gain an understanding of future development needs and to provide advice at an early stage;

·                     the Caretakers house was vacant.

DECISION:  GRANTED permission, under Regulation 3 of the Town and Country Planning General Regulations, for the development described in the application and submitted plans, as amended by the addendum, subject to the conditions and informatives reported.

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