Issue - meetings

Demolition of existing lock-up garages and construction of 4 no. 2-bedroom houses.

Recommendation: Approval

RESOLVED: That the application be approved.

Before the start of this item, Councillor Mand recused himself from the room.

Officers delivered a detailed presentation summarising the application and highlighted that the application was recommended for approval subject to the conditions set out in the officer’s report.

A petition had been received objecting to the proposals. The petition organiser was present and addressed the Committee. Key points raised in their address included:

·         There were serious concerns raised over the impact that the proposals would have regarding the privacy and overlooking of residents on Cranford Drive, specifically with regard to the close proximity of the two storey buildings being proposed. Petitioners felt that this was in breach of policy DMH 6 of the Hillingdon Local Plan Part 2. There were also concerns raised that the new properties would overlook the adjacent public amenity space.

·         It was highlighted that various trees in the gardens of current residents would be encroaching on the proposed 1.5m wide alleyway to be shared by the occupants of the new development. It was felt that this could lead to conflict between neighbours and that there would be a constant flow of people within the small alleyway.

·         The petitioner noted that there would be an unacceptable loss of daylight/sunlight impacting neighbouring residential amenities. Further to this, numbers 178 and 180 had small extensions when compared to other properties which made the daylight/sunlight impact more substantial for the other properties.

·         The removal of trees was of concern and their replacement would take a significant amount of time to mature. The distance between the development and the motorway was around 40m and the trees were significant in providing greenery and mitigating noise emanating from the motorway.

·         There were concerns regarding the increase in traffic and noise on what was already a busy road in close proximity to Cranford Park Academy.

·         The Committee were encouraged to conduct a site visit to see the parameters of the site first hand and understand why the petitioners felt that the new development would constitute overcrowding.

The applicant was also present and addressed the Committee. Key points raised during their address included:

·         One car parking space would be provided for each of the proposed houses in accordance with London Plan policies and secure cycle storage would also be provided in each garden. It was also confirmed that the Highways Authority had no objection to the proposals.

·         The applicant had arranged a specialist daylight/sunlight study, as requested by planning officers, which confirmed that there were no undue impacts on the surrounding properties. Attention was drawn to the officer’s report which stated that “overall, the proposed development would have an acceptable impact on the amenities of neighbouring properties.

·         All existing dwellings around the site fronted onto public roads accessible to fire and emergency vehicles.

·         The site was currently fully occupied by hardstanding and garages. The proposed site layout showed a significant proportion of the land coverage would be changed to trees, communal planting and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 28