Agenda and minutes

To note any changes to the membership.

1.1       There were no changes to the membership.

To receive declarations by members and officers of the existence and nature of any personal or prejudicial interests in matters on this agenda.

2.1       Councillor Peter Freeman explained that a week before the meeting, all four Members of the Committee were provided with a full set of papers including a detailed officer’s report on each application; together with bundles of every single letter or e-mail received in respect of every application, including all letters and e-mails containing objections or giving support. Members of the Committee read through everything in detail prior to the meeting. Accordingly, if an issue or comment made by a correspondent was not specifically mentioned at this meeting in the officers’ presentation or by Members of the Committee, it did not mean that the issue had been ignored. Members will have read about the issue and comments made by correspondents in the papers read prior to the meeting.

2.2       Councillor Freeman declared that in his capacity as Deputy Cabinet Member for the Built Environment he sometimes received requests from developers to provide him with a presentation on a pending planning application or to discuss future projects.  These always took place in the presence of council officers.  At such meetings views or guidance from the Council were requested.  No guarantees or commitments were given during such meetings on behalf of the City Council.

2.3       Councillor Freeman also declared that in respect of item 5, he was personally acquainted with the owners of the property and so he would withdraw from the meeting when this item was considered.

2.4       Councillor Paul Church declared that in his capacity as Ward Councillor for West End ward which included Fitzrovia, Marylebone, Mayfair and Soho, he met and engaged regularly with residents, residents associations, amenity societies, businesses, developers, officers, planners and other stakeholders. He considered members of both the Majority and Minority party as friends and met with them regularly. He added that he was the Deputy Cabinet Member for Children and Young People. 

2.5       Councillor Church also declared that in respect of item 3, the site was in his Ward.

2.6       Councillor Melvyn Caplan declared that in relation to item 5, the site was in his Ward and he had received correspondence relating to the application and so he would withdraw from the meeting when this item was considered.

2.7       Councillor Ruth Bush declared that in relation to item 1, she had recently visited the Notre Dame de France Roman Catholic Church adjacent to the site in her capacity as Chair of the Westminster Faith Exchange and so she was aware of the layout of the buildings.

To sign the minutes of the last meeting as a correct record of proceedings.

3.1       RESOLVED:

That the Minutes of the meeting held on 7 June 2016 be signed by the Chairman as a correct record of proceedings.

Applications for decision

Retention of extension at rear second, third and fourth floor levels to provide an additional six bedrooms to approved hotel and construction of fire escape stairs.

RESOLVED:

That conditional permission be granted.

Councillor Bush requested that her dissent against approving the application be recorded.

Continued use of basement for auditions, rehearsals and teaching of courses for film-making and the performing arts and an ancillary office (sui generis).

RESOLVED:

That conditional permission be granted.

Variation of condition 1 of planning permission dated 14 January 2014 (RN: 13/10660) for 'Demolition of building and erection of replacement four storey building (plus lower ground floor level) containing 5x3 bedroom flats (Class C3); installation of plant and terrace at roof level'; namely, to allow changes to the approved scheme including extension to rear lightwell on basement to third floors, alterations to windows north east elevation, alterations to Farm Street elevation, modifications to roof level plant; omission of roof level stair enclosure and refuse lift within lightwell; alterations to internal layout including changes to the mix of residential units and lowering the floor slab at lower ground floor level.

An additional representation was received from Jon Dingle on behalf of Jon Dingle Ltd (28.07.2016).

RESOLVED:

That conditional permission be granted, subject to an additional condition requiring maintenance of the green roof and to no new substantive issues being raised prior to the expiry of the re-consultation period on 5 August 2016.

Use of the first floor as an extension to the existing restaurant at basement and part ground floor levels (Class A3).

RESOLVED:

That conditional permission be granted.

Extension to glazed garden room at ground floor level on the rear elevation and excavation of one storey basement in rear garden.

Councillors Freeman and Caplan had both declared interests on this item and left the meeting when this application was considered. Cllr Caplan stated that this item was in his ward and that he had spoken with the applicant in his role as ward councillor and therefore felt it inappropriate to sit on this item. Whilst he chose not to speak on the item, he stayed in the public gallery to observe the proceedings.

Councillor Church was elected as Chairman for this item in the absence of Councillor Freeman.

RESOLVED:

That conditional planning permission be granted.

Councillor Bush requested that her dissent against approving the application be recorded.