Agenda and minutes

None.

None.

Were agreed as a correct record.

None.

All items were considered in Public.

Erection of a 6 bedroom single family dwelling involving demolition of the existing dwelling.

Recommendation: Refusal

The Chairman explained this item had been withdrawn from the agenda due to the late receipt of revised plans.

Demolition of 30 - 32 Chester Road and development of Residential Care Home, alterations to access and associated landscaping (Resubmission)

Recommendation: Approval

At the beginning of the item the Planning Officer introduced the report and drew the Committee’s attention to amended conditions 6 and 21 and the following additional conditions: 24, 25, 26 and 27 as set out in the Addendum. Members were also provided with a copy of the full appeal decision as part of the Addendum.

In accordance with the Council’s constitution a representative of the petitioners in objection to the application addressed the meeting:

The petitioner made the following points:

• Many of the signatories objected to the development at 30-32 Chester Road based on the impact of 36-38 - owing to its size and bulk in relation to surrounding properties.
• The proposal would have an adverse impact on the essentially Victorian / Edwardian street scene.
• If the proposal were approved, the development would house an additional 58 residents plus additional care staff. This would be the largest development on a single residential road in Northwood.
• The proposed development would generate unacceptable noise levels from day to day activities at the care home.
• The proposed development does not incorporate sufficient parking spaces for staff or visitors.
• The proposed development would adversely affect parking locally. Events held at St Johns and St Matthews in Hallowell Road and Emmanuel in Church road already generate substantial traffic levels from play groups, mother / toddler groups, keep fit classes, funerals and other day and evening functions.
• Heavy vehicles used by contractors would impede the vehicular movement of local residents.
• It was highly likely that visitors would not use public transport when visiting residents and so car parking would be adversely affected.
• The proposal will have an adverse effect on the quality of the life of the residents at 28 Chester Road
• The plans for the proposed development appeared to be inaccurate as the gap between 28 and 32 had ‘disappeared’.
• The proposed development does not incorporate dedicated laundry or cooking facilities. Therefore the proposal should not be considered in isolation but with reference to the proposed developments at 34 and 36/38 Chester Road.
• A number of the bedrooms within the proposed development do not incorporate an en suite facility which contravenes modern care home standards.
• The proposed development may adversely affect local drainage.

The applicant or agent did not attend the meeting.

A Ward Councillor addressed the meeting in support of the petitioners. The following points were made:

• The proposal was out of keeping with the street scene and would fail to harmonise with an area of special character.
• The size and scale of the propose development would change the residential density of the road.
• The proposed development did not incorporate sufficient car parking spaces.
• There was a glut of residential care homes in Northwood already and family homes needed to be protected.
• The proposed development was at odds with the aims of “Localism” and if approved would show that the concerns of local people were being ignored.

In discussing the application, the Committee focused on the cumulative effect of the proposal (in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 22.

Single storey Hospital Ward with associated plant and storage buildings and associated works for a period of three years.

Recommendation: Approval

The recommendation for approval was moved, seconded and on being out to the vote was agreed.

Resolved – That the application be Approved as set out in the Officer’s report.

Erection of a single storey side extension with access ramp and new door to existing clubroom, to provide new changing facilities (involving demolition of existing changing room building and outbuildings).

Recommendation: Approval

The recommendation for approval was moved, seconded and on being out to the vote was agreed.

Resolved – That the application be Approved as set out in the Officer’s report.

Change of use of ground floor from Use Class B1(a) (Offices) to D1 (Non-Residential Institutions) for use as a health clinic involving alterations to rear elevation

Recommendation: Approval

At the beginning of the item the Planning Officer introduced the report and drew the Committee’s attention to amended condition 2 as set out in the Addendum.

The recommendation for approval was moved, seconded and on being put to the vote was agreed.

Resolved – That the application be Approved as set out in the Officer’s report and Addendum.

Installation of railway only communications site comprising of a 20 metre high monopole, with a 1 metre high lightning finale, 0.75 metre high ground frame (total height 21.75 metres), radio equipment cabin and equipment on the railway land south of Northwood Station Carpark and rear of the Northwood Boys Club (E.509381 N.191136).

Recommendation: Approval

At the beginning of the item the Planning Officer introduced the report and drew the Committee’s attention to photographs of the development site.

Officers explained that despite substantial efforts to screen the mast, its overall height meant that it would be visible from the street scene. While some concerns were raised about the sighting of the mast near a youth centre, there was general agreement this site would be less harmful than if it had been sited next to a residential property.

Officers explained the Committee could refuse planning permission for telecom masts on the grounds of visual amenity but could not refuse an application on health grounds.

The recommendation for approval was moved, seconded and on being put to the vote was agreed with four votes in favour, one against and two abstentions

Resolved – That the application be Approved as set out in the Officer’s report.

Installation of 6m x 3m advertisement hoarding on 1m high base.

Recommendation: Approval

The recommendation for approval was moved, seconded and on being put to the vote was agreed.

Resolved – That the application be Approved as set out in the Officer’s report.

Installation of 6m x 3m billboard on 1m high base.

Recommendation: Approval

The recommendation for approval was moved, seconded and on being put to the vote was agreed with six votes in favour and one abstention

Resolved – That the application be Approved as set out in the Officer’s report.

None.