Issue - meetings

Change of use from former Police Station (sui generis) to mixed use place of worship (Class F.1) and community centre (Class F.2), along with minor alterations to car park layout.

(Re-Consultation: Expired on 4th November 2022)

Recommendation: Refusal

RESOLVED: That the application be refused.

Change of use from former Police Station (sui generis) to mixed use place of worship (Class F.1) and community centre (Class F.2), along with minor alterations to car park layout.

Officers presented the application and highlighted the information in the addendum. It was noted that the application sought the change of use of a Grade II listed building situated in a Conservation Area.  The schedule of existing and proposed activities, together with the likely busiest periods and the estimated numbers of cars which would use the site were highlighted to Members. It was noted that the building had a physical capacity of 292 people and a sanitary capacity of approximately 200. It was anticipated that 100 people would be on site at the busiest times.

Officers had raised concerns in relation to parking stress, traffic, the lack of sustainable transport and air quality hence the application was recommended for refusal on the following grounds:

1. Unacceptable impact on highways safety;

2. Unacceptable impact on air quality; and

3. Failure to secure mitigation through a S106 legal agreement by virtue of recommendation for refusal.

A petition in objection to the scheme had been received and the lead petitioner addressed the Committee. Key points raised included:

·       Petitioners’ objections were based purely on the grounds of traffic congestion, noise and air pollution;

·       Volume of traffic in Northwood was already an issue and the proposed change of use would have a major impact on traffic congestion, safety and the health of all Northwood residents;

·       The Iron Aid Foundation (IAF) had stated that the premises would be in use from dawn until almost midnight. 100+ attendees were expected to attend some events including Friday prayers and festivals. Seven rooms would be available for rental for other activities;

·       The Iron Aid Foundation claimed that up to 50 staff had previously worked at the police station. In reality, only 6 members of staff had worked out of Northwood Police Station at one time;

·       Northwood Police Station had never been a 24 hour Police facility hence a Police telephone box had been placed outside with an out of hours connection to Uxbridge Police Station;

·       Drop off and pick up at the premises would result in major congestion in a restricted parking zone;

·       It was likely that drop off / pick up drivers would come into conflict with shoppers using the Waitrose car park opposite the entrance to the Police Station car park;

·       Crossing the busy junction would be dangerous;

·       The IAF had been worshipping at St John’s Church in Hallowell Road for over 10 years without any impact on the community but the proposed site  was within the central conservation area;

·       If granted, the proposal would lead to an increase in air pollution;

·       Northwood town centre was at saturation point with heavy traffic and was about to get worse due to the large number of apartment blocks planned / being built.

The applicant and agent for the application were in attendance and addressed the Committee. Key points highlighted  ...  view the full minutes text for item 106