Agenda and minutes

In the absence of Councillor Sutton, the meeting was chaired by Councillor Lyons, the Deputy Chair.

Members declared the following disclosable pecuniary interests:-

Councillors Bialyk, Denham, Edwards, Foale, Gottschalk, Lyons, Morse and Spackman declared interests in Min. Nos. 37 and 38 as Members of the Labour Party.

Councillor Gottschalk declared a disclosable pecuniary interest having previously been enrolled on the University of Exeter’s Graduate Budget Business Partnership and withdrew from the room during consideration of this item.

The Principal Project Manager (Development) (PJ) presented the application for an outline planning application to build student accommodation and ancillary central amenity facilities (up to a maximum of 32,230 square metres) with associated infrastructure and landscaping (all matters reserved).

Members were circulated with an update sheet - attached to minutes.

The Principal Project Manager updated the Committee on the application following deferral at the Planning Committee meeting on 13 February 2017. The total number of letters of objections was now 701 with 434 individuals/households responding, including 54 after the circulation of the update sheet, a particular area of contention being the nature of the consultation. He explained that the City Council had exceeded the legal requirements for consultation including notices on site, letters to neighbours and notification in the local press. He also advised that the University had met with three residents and four Councillors on 24 March 2017. With regard to the objection on the grounds of the absence of an environmental impact assessment, it had not been considered that such an assessment was necessary.

The Principal Project Manager advised that there were three main areas of objections being: opposition to any development of the site, any development should be for academic purposes as proposed in the Streatham Campus Master Plan and the size itself of the development.

The Principal Project Manager set out the background to the application and the changes made following the original submission and deferral at the meeting of this Committee on 13 February. As a result of Members comments at the meeting and a meeting between the applicant, agents, local Ward Councillors and local residents on 24 March, further amendments had been made. The overall quantum of development proposed was now a total of 32,230 square m (30,730 square metres for student accommodation and 1,500 square metres for ancillary facilities). At the February meeting it had been reported that the scheme originally put forward in October 2016 had been reduced. A further reduction in the floor space was now proposed from the 37,200 square metres reported at the February meeting to 32,230, representing a reduction of 13% in the quantum reported at that meeting, bringing the overall reduction to 18%. The nominal number of student bed spaces had been reduced from 1,300 to 1,200 with the relevant condition to refer to total floor area rather than bed spaces.

The area identified for development had been reduced, moving the development zone away from the eastern boundary of the site. This has resulted in blocks illustrated in the masterplan either being reduced in width or omitted completely. In particular, the reduced development zone has removed a proposed five storey block within the south east area of the site.The height of buildings to the northern and eastern edge of the site has been reduced one storey  ...  view the full minutes text for item 35.

The City Development Manager presented the application for reserved matters pursuant to outline approval 14/4716/01 for construction of a single dwelling on land West of Pennsylvania Road (Revised Scheme).

He reported that the application was for revised fenestration and revised ground levels to the outdoor space. It was proposed to increase the window sizes by providing a single pair of sliding glazed doors, one serving each of the rooms on either side of the central stairway at ground and first floor level. The single large roof-light in the east roof slope would be replaced by a pair of large roof-lights. The terrace area would be at the same height as the original ground level. It was not felt that these changes would significantly harm the character or appearance of the site.

However, the objections related to the height and mass of the building and he reported that it was not possible from records to confirm the original datum height and therefore to ascertain whether there had been a breach of the planning condition and whether the height was excessive. He also stated that the dormer window under construction appeared to be level and running off the ridge rather than lower down the roof, in accordance with the approved plans.

Mr Kirk spoke against the application. He raised the following points:-

·         considerable depth of feeling from neighbouring residents opposing the scale of development with a significant number of objections;

·         disagree with the opinion of planning officers regarding the suitability of the structure, which objectors feel is an unsuitable height in the wrong place and of inappropriate size and scale;

·         despite numerous requests, information has not been provided on the datum point for the building and, accordingly, the decision to grant permission for the original application has no substantive basis. No one has advised where the current starting point for the building should have been;

·         in the context of the area, the building is an eyesore and is not in keeping with the environment;

·         depth of feeling about the building is substantial; and

·         there are no references to building control in existence so no one can confirm if the structure has been built to the specification approved.

Responding to a Member, he stated that the building was higher than neighbouring properties and, in particular, encroached on the properties to the east blocking views.

The City Development Manager proposed that the issue of the height of the building together with the design of the dormer be considered further by Members in light of the objections received and that the views of residents would be considered.

The recommendation was for approval, subject to the conditions as set out in the report.

RESOLVED that:-

(1)        planning permission for reserved matters pursuant to outline approval 14/4716/01 for construction of a single dwelling on land West of Pennsylvania Road (Revised Scheme) be APPROVED, subject to the following conditions:-

1)    C05 – Time Limit – Commencement

2)    The development hereby permitted shall not be carried out otherwise  ...  view the full minutes text for item 36.

As the applicant, Councillor Harvey declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in this application and withdrew from the room during consideration of the item:-

Councillors Bialyk, Denham, Edwards, Foale, Gottschalk, Lyons, Morse and Spackman declared interests in Min. Nos. 36 and 37 as Members of the Labour Party.

The City Development Manager presented the application for a loft conversion with rooflights.

The recommendation was for approval, subject to the conditions as set out in the report.

RESOLVED that planning permission for a loft conversion with rooflights be APPROVED, subject to the following conditions:-

As the applicant, Councillor Harvey declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in this application and withdrew from the room during consideration of this item:-

Councillors Bialyk, Denham, Edwards, Foale, Gottschalk, Lyons, Morse and Spackman declared interests in Min. Nos. 36 and 37 as Members of the Labour Party.

The City Development Manager presented the application for

The recommendation was for approval subject to the conditions as set out in the report.

RESOLVED that planning permission for a loft conversion with rooflights be APPROVED, subject to the following conditions:-

The report of the Assistant Director City Development was submitted.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

The schedule of appeal decisions and appeals lodged was submitted.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

To advise that the next Site Inspection Party will be held on Tuesday 9 May 2017 at

9.30 a.m. The Councillors attending will be notified.

RESOLVED that the next Site Inspection Party will be held on Tuesday 9 May at 9.30 a.m. The Councillors attending will be Harvey, Mrs Henson and Spackman.