Agenda item

The application before Members was for the redevelopment of the site previously in community use for twenty two older person flats, landscaping and car parking.

The application had been called in by Councillor Linda Van den Hende on the grounds of over development, bulk at the location, insufficient parking, and effect on the streetscene and impact on Upminster Park. 

In accordance with the public speaking arrangements the Committee was addressed by an objector with a response by the applicant’s representative.

The objector commented that the proposal would create an adverse impact on the three listed buildings situated in close proximity to the development site. The objector also commented that the proposal would have a detrimental impact on the amenity of Upminster Park and only provided sixteen car parking spaces for twenty two flats.

In response the applicant’s representative commented that the comments by English Heritage had been somewhat surprising as there was a varied streetscene in the area. The representative also commented that it was believed that the design was the correct one but alterations to the appearance could be discussed further as there were a number of options available.

With its agreement Councillor Linda Van den Hende addressed the Committee.

Councillor Van den Hende commented that the proposal was a large development for the area and that the parking provided was inadequate. Councillor Van den Hende also commented that proposal was of a bulky nature, out of keeping with the streetscene and an overdevelopment of the site.

During the debate Members discussed the bulk of the design and the inadequate parking provision.

Members also discussed the benefits of the proposal noting that it was a national company that specialised in older persons accommodation that was proposing the development and that there was some flexibility in the final design.

Members received clarification of the distance between the proposed development and properties in Gridiron Place that could have been subject to overlooking.

Following a motion to refuse the granting of planning permission which was lost by 3 votes to 5 with 3 abstentions.

The Committee noted that the proposed development qualified for a Mayoral CIL contribution of £54,800 and RESOLVED that the proposal was unacceptable as it stood but would be acceptable subject to the applicant entering into a Legal Agreement under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended), to secure the following:

• The financial contribution of £312,000 to be paid prior to the commencement of the development, to be used towards the provision of affordable housing within in Havering in accordance with Policies CP2 and DC6 of the LDF Core Strategy and Development Control Policies Development Plan Document.

• A financial contribution of £132,000 to be paid prior to the commencement of the development, to be used towards infrastructure costs in accordance with the Policy DC72 of the LDF Core Strategy and Development Control Policies Development Plan Document and the Planning Obligations Supplementary Planning Document.

• All contribution sums should include interest to the due date of expenditure and all contribution sums to be subject to indexation from the date of completion of the Section 106 agreement to the date of receipt by the Council.

• The Developer/Owner to pay the Council’s reasonable legal costs associated with the Legal Agreement prior to the completion of the agreement irrespective of whether the agreement was completed.

• The Developer/Owner to pay the appropriate planning obligations monitoring fee prior to the completion of the agreement.

That the Head of Regulatory Services be authorised to enter into a legal agreement to secure the above and upon completion of that agreement, grant planning permission subject to the conditions as set out in the report with a minor correction to Condition 21 by replacing reference to section 273 of the Town and Country planning act 1990 with section 257.

The vote for the resolution to grant planning permission was carried by 5 votes to 3 with 3 abstentions.

Councillors Misir, Benham, Best, Crowder and Kelly voted for the resolution to grant planning permission.

Councillors Hawthorn, Ower and Whitney voted against the resolution to grant planning permission.

Councillors Alexander, Martin and Williamson abstained from voting.