Issue - meetings

The creation of 9no. off-street parking spaces and planting of 3no. new trees.

Recommendation: Refusal

RESOLVED: That a decision on the application be deferred to enable a site visit to take place.

The creation of 9no. off-street parking spaces and planting of 3no. new trees.

Councillor Adam Bennett had declared an interest in this application therefore he left the room and did not take part in the discussion or voting on this item.

Officers presented the application and highlighted the information in the addendum. Members heard that the proposal represented a stark departure from policy and was therefore recommended for refusal. The development would result in an overprovision of car parking and failed to encourage sustainable modes of transport including cycling, walking and the use of public transport.

A petition in support of the application had been received. Petitioners, applicants and the agent were in attendance and addressed the Committee Members. Key points highlighted included:

• The application was a resubmission from a previous application that had been refused due to highway safety grounds.
• The previous plan had sought to mark car parking spaces along the existing private road, which had been deemed unsafe.
• The current residents experienced informal car parking along the road, and the original plan had aimed to regularise it.
• The new proposal rearranged the parking to provide nine off-street parking spaces instead.
• The proposal included two allocated spaces per unit, in line with local parking standards but not in line with regional London Plan standards.
• The application did not initially include a BNG assessment, but it was recognised as a requirement.
• The communal grass had low biodiversity value, and the red line site provided an opportunity to achieve a 10% net gain.
• A condition was recommended to secure further details and landscaping to address the BNG point.
• Occupants of all 9 houses in Dyson Drive were in favour of the proposal.
• There was a lack of dedicated parking affecting households with young families
• The proposal moved the bays to be alongside existing bays, improving traffic flow and safety.
• The developer supported the application, and the design aimed to blend seamlessly with the existing environment.
• The spaces would not increase the amount of parking or volume of movement, as the cars were already parked informally.
• The proposal was seen as a proactive step towards a balanced and functional local infrastructure.
• The planting of three trees was included to secure biodiversity net gain.
• Issues with parking big vans and blocking cars led to police complaints.
• The proposal aimed to provide a safer environment for residents, including children.
• It was hoped the application would be viewed favourably by Councillors due to the family size dwellings and parking standards.

Councillors sought clarification regarding the main point of the application and how it could overcome the policy rendering issues. In response, the agent / applicants highlighted the existing highway safety issues, including refuse access difficulties due to informal on-street car parking. Members were informed that the current arrangements failed to provide safe access for refuse vehicles and pedestrians. The scheme aimed to move spaces currently causing safety issues to safer locations. Concerns about anti-social behaviour were also raised.

In response to questions from  ...  view the full minutes text for item 28