Issue - meetings

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

Recommendation: Refusal

RESOLVED: That the application be refused

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

Officers introduced the application, which had been previously deferred for a site visit.

Members considered the request to defer the item and decided to consider the application without deferral.

The applicant and agent addressed the Committee and made the following points:

• It was important to discuss the current application, and not future or other applications
• Many people were affected by the current lack of dedicated parking
• Safe and ready access to cars was a necessity
• After the previous meeting and site visit, the applicant had been asked to implement a controlled parking scheme. This had been implemented for six months but ultimately failed
• A large white van parked illegally had partially obstructed the road before it was clamped, and before it could be removed an emergency vehicle was unable to pass. Therefore, the controlled parking scheme was suspended
• A parking control scheme was considered integral, but due to the narrow nature of the road, parking must be off street
• This would allow for safe and clearer access for emergency vehicles, at which point a scheme could be reintroduced with far less kerbside, on-street parking
• Parking controls were effective when balanced with health and safety concerns, which the application addressed directly
• This application reduced the total number of on-street spaces, creating a safer environment
• Nine new bays with a smaller kerb area would limit overall capacity
• Residents could consider installing lockable posts to stop parking in the bays
• The site visit allowed officers and Members to witness a refuse lorry entering and exiting Dyson Drive, which does not have a pavement. Vehicles passed at speed, very close to front doors and windows, which was a safety concern
• The proposal would move these vehicles further away from residents’ homes
• The London Plan applied to both inner and outer London in equal measure, and in this case led to the opposite of what was intended, a less safe and healthy environment
• The Planning Committee regularly approved applications that deviated from planning codes when the benefits outweighed the policy deviation. In this case, the significant health and safety benefits and the reduction in anti-social behaviour far outweighed the single policy deviation
• Members had the right to exercise their own judgement and overturn officers’ recommendations
• A transport safety note had been submitted which set out issues of highway safety and anti-social behaviour
• Every application should be judged on its own planning merits, and in this case, there were merits and circumstances to overturn the recommendation

Members noted that during the site visit, the dust cart was travelling 5-10 mph.

Members noted that during the course of the application, additional elements had been required by officers. The applicant had provided on transport but not on parking enforcement.

Officers noted that there was an addendum which referred to a petition in objection to the application and in support of officers’ recommendations.

Officers highlighted that there had been little mention of the purpose of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 78