Agenda item

Four storey building comprising 8 x 2 Bedroom flats with associated car and cycle parking and amenity space involving demolition of existing garages.

Recommendation: Refusal

RESOLVED:  That the application be refused.

Four storey building comprising 8 x 2 Bedroom flats with associated car and cycle parking and amenity space involving demolition of existing garages

Officers introduced the report, and confirmed that the application was recommended for refusal.

A petitioner’s objections to the application were detailed, key points of which included:

·         The properties surrounding the site are traditional two-storey houses and maisonettes. The proposal would create a building that would overshadow all of its neighbours, and the residents of the upper floor of the new development would have a clear view into surrounding properties result in a loss of privacy for many of the neighbouring properties.

·         Residents in Dollis Crescent would lose much of their early morning sunlight due to the height of the building. Those in Green Lawns would be similarly effected in the evening. It is noted that the applicant has not submitted an updated Daylight and Sunlight Assessment with this application.

·         Residents in Dollis Crescent face the prospect of having a large brick wall at the end of their gardens that would tower over the existing trees.

·         The style of the building is out of keeping with its surroundings.  The provision of an extra storey would draw attention to the building spoiling the appearance of the area.

·         The proposal will have a detrimental impact on the panorama looking north from Cavendish playing fields.

·         The addition of another two double bedroom units to the development will add to what will already be a crowded development, with no additional parking provided on site. These two extra units could result in an extra three or four vehicles looking for places to park, in an area where parking is at a premium.

·         The provision of two extra units will generate additional visitors and deliveries to the development. Southbourne Gardens is already a busy road, especially during morning and evening peaks. It is used as an alternative route between Ruislip Manor and Eastcote, avoiding both town centre traffic lights.

·         The access to the site will always be a safety issue. During construction there have been two minor collisions in front of the site entrance. Lorries delivering supplies to the site have damaged pavements. In one case, the pavement had recently been repaired by the council. The paving slabs have now been cracked by lorries using the pavement to gain access to the site.

·         Refuse collection would be a bigger issue with the provision of two extra units.  If rubbish is deposited at the end of the access road awaiting collection this will either be left in the narrow access road, restricting this even further, or more likely obstructing the pavement which is used by many children travelling to Newnham School.

·         The development does not propose any extra amenity space on the site, and as a result falls short of the requirement of planning policies.

·         Following a large number of flatted developments in Eastcote, there is no need for another development to be squeezed onto this land.

Members discussed the application, and were supportive of the officer’s recommendation for refusal for the reasons set out in the report.

The officer’s recommendation was moved, seconded, and when put to a vote, unanimously agreed.

RESOLVED:  That the application be refused.