Appendix 1: Summary of virtual local meeting on 21st April 2021

Panel

Chair: Cllr Gibbons

LB Planning: Georgia McBirney and James Hughes

Agent/Applicant: Marcin Salamon on behalf of Douglas and King Architects

Summary of virtual local meeting

Cllr Gibbons opened the meeting at 7pm and introduced the panel and explained the reason for the meeting.

The planning agent gave a presentation in respect of the proposed development.

Pre-submitted questions were discussed first before moving to questions/discussion points raised in the chat function of the meeting. The questions/discussions were related to themes.

The first question was in respect of how neighbours’ concerns have been addressed. The applicant team stated that amendments had been made to the scheme during the course of the application.

Concerns were raised by neighbours in respect of the development being out of character for the site and that the development would represent over development alongside other recently approved development and future development in the area. The applicant team discussed the design rationale for the scale and design of the development.

Concerns were raised by neighbours in regards to the highways impacts of the proposed development in respect of highways safety concerns, parking concerns and the delivery and servicing of the site. Planning officer highlighted that only highways impacts of the proposed development can be considered and that wider highway safety concerns fall outside of the scope of the application. The applicant set out that the submitted Parking Stress Survey demonstrates that there is parking capacity within the vicinity of the application site and this was disputed by neighbours. Neighbours asked for clarification in respect of delivery and servicing of the site given that the site would be car free.

Neighbours raised concern in respect of impact on neighbouring amenity from the scale of the development. The applicant team stated that the scale of development has been designed so that the impact on neighbouring amenity. Concern was also raised in respect of overlooking from the proposed balconies; Planning Officers highlighted that details of privacy screens can be secured by condition.

Local residents raised concerns in respect of the standard of accommodation of the proposed dwellinghouses and that the dwellinghouses would not be policy compliant as separate living/kitchen/dining areas would not be provided. The applicant team set out that all units would meet or exceed space standards. Planning officers set out that separate living/kitchen/dining areas are a policy aspiration and not a requirement.

Local residents raised concern about the impact of the development on trees in neighbouring gardens and concern was raised that not all trees have been shown on the submitted drawings. Planning Officers highlighted that a Tree Protection Plan could be secured by condition and that all relevant trees would need to be included.

Concern was also raised in respect of party wall issues. The applicant team advised they would be in contact with all relevant land owners. Planning Officers advised that party wall issues are not material planning considerations.

Planning officers advised of the next steps following the local meeting and that residents will be invited to attend a future planning committee.

Cllr Gibbons closed the meeting at 8:15pm.

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