Agenda and minutes

To note any changes to the membership.

1.1       It was noted that Councillors Bush and Williams were substituting for Councillors Fisher and Lilley.

1.2       A Councillor was required to Chair the evening’s meeting and the Sub-Committee

RESOLVED:

That Councillor Ruth Bush be elected Chair of Planning Applications Sub-Committee (2) for that evening’s meeting.

To receive declarations by Members and Officers of the existence and nature of any pecuniary interests or any other significant interest in matters on this agenda.

2.1      The Chair explained that a week before the meeting, all four Members of the Sub-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 emails containing objections or giving support. Members of the Sub-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 Sub-Committee, it did not mean that the issue had been ignored. Members would have read about the issue and comments made by correspondents in the papers read prior to the meeting.

2.2      Councillor Williams declared that in respect of Item 3 the application site was situated within his ward, but he had held no discussions with any parties regarding the application.

2.3      Councillor Bush declared that she was a member of the Westminster Tree Trust.

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

3.1       RESOLVED: That subject to references to objectors on page 2 of the minutes  being amended to read “… in objection to the application.” , the minutes of the meeting held on 14 November 2023 be signed by the Chair as a correct record of proceedings.

Applications for decision

The Sub-Committee heard the planning applications in the following order: 2, 1 and 3.

Erection of ground floor front and rear extension, first floor rear closet extension, formation of roof terrace with balustrading and planters at main roof level, excavation of new basement and associated external alterations.

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY:    

That conditional planning permission be granted subject to an additional informative advising the applicant that if there was any displacement or damage to the cobbled mews during construction they should be repaired sensitively and in line with the ‘Westminster Way – public realm strategy, design principles and practice’.

Excavation of single-storey basement extension with lightwells to front and rear gardens; Erection of single-storey extension to rear and three storey extension to side; Formation of door to rear at lower ground floor level; Landscaping works; and associated external alterations.

Additional representations were received from a local resident (multiple dates).

David Whittington addressed the Sub-Committee in support of the application.

Kirsten O’Rourke addressed the Sub-Committee in objection to the application.

Councillor Alan Mendoza, in his capacity as Ward Councillor, addressed the Sub-Committee in objection to the application.

A late representation was received from a local resident (undated).

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY:    

1)        That conditional permission be granted. 

RESOLVED (Grant - Councillors Arzymanow, Chowdhury and Williams; Refuse – Councillor Bush)

1)                        That conditional listed building consent be granted.

2)        That the reasons for granting conditional listed building consent as set out in Informative 1 on the draft decision letter be agreed.

Increase perimeter fence height to 2.5m along part of the Balniel Gate and Bessborough Street boundary and replacement fencing around part of the Kaywillo Lodge boundary; installation of disabled access ramp to northern building entrance; installation of air conditioning condenser units; widening of vehicular accesses on to Bessborough Place and, installation of an external kitchen pod in the playground, all in connection with a special education needs unit.

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY:

</AI7>

That conditional permission under Regulation 3 of the Town and Country Planning General Regulations 1992 (Council’s Own Development) be granted subject to an additional informative drawing the applicant’s attention to the potential to improve the visual appearance of the pod kitchen.