Issue - meetings

Retention and demolition of existing buildings, construction of new buildings, all within Use Class B8 with ancillary uses, alongside hardstanding, widening of the vehicular access off Breakspear Road South, associated car and cycle parking, enhanced landscaping and ancillary works.

Recommendations: Approval + Section 106

RESOLVED: That the application be approved.

Retention and demolition of existing buildings, construction of new buildings, all within Use Class B8 with ancillary uses, alongside hardstanding, widening of the vehicular access off Breakspear Road South, associated car and cycle parking, enhanced landscaping and ancillary works.

Officers introduced the application and delivered a comprehensive presentation summarising the proposals. It was noted that, should the application not be determined by the Greater London Authority therefore obliging Hillingdon as the Local Planning Authority determining the application, that the application was recommended for approval subject to conditions and a Section 106 agreement.

The committee commended the incredibly thorough officer report. Members discussed the merits of the application which, although it was on green belt land, would reduce the footprint and volume of the buildings on site. The Committee discussed landscaping, particularly screening of the site during autumn and winter when landscaping and trees would be less effective at screening. The Committee highlighted that the Urban Design Officer had recommended a reduction of the storage heights on site to three metres to avoid storage areas being seen from the surrounding countryside during winter months; however it was noted that officers had conducted lengthy negotiations with the applicant and it was deemed that the proposed heights were the minimum heights that would make the operation viable, officers noted that there was a significant level of existing screening through landscaping and although there would be seasonal variation to this, it was deemed to consist a considerable level of screening.

Officers also confirmed that HS2 Ltd had been consulted on the proposals and no objections had been raised. Additionally, it was confirmed that any waste concerns would be covered by condition 30, the Delivery, Servicing and Waste Management Plan.

Members were supportive of the air quality contribution highlighted in the report and sought to ensure that lighting levels were appropriate on site so as not to disrupt wildlife and that lighting levels were minimised when the site is not in use. Further to this, the Committee sought to add an informative ensuring that HGVs leaving the site did not go through Harefield Village and instead headed towards the A40.

The officer’s recommendation, inclusive of the amendments discussed, was moved, seconded, and when put to a vote, unanimously approved.

RESOLVED:

1)    That the application be approved as per the officer’s recommendation;

2)    That a lighting condition be added ensuring that levels were mitigated to minimise disruption to wildlife; and,

3)    That an informative be added notifying site operators that HGVs leaving the site were not to proceed through Harefield Village.