Agenda and minutes

To elect a Chairman of the Planning (Major Applications) Sub-Committee.

1.1           It was noted that Councillor James Spencer replaced Councillor Peter Freeman.

1.2           It was further noted that the Leader of the Council had nominated Councillor Gotz Mohindra to be the Chairman.  Having put the matter to the vote, it was:

1.3     RESOLVED:  That Councillor Gotz Mohindra be elected as Chairman.

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 Gotz Mohindra 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      Councillors Glen and Bush declared that they are trustees of the Westminster Tree Trust.

2.3      Councillor Boothroyd declared that he is the Head of Research and Psephology for Thorncliffe, whose clients are companies applying for planning permission from various local authorities. No current schemes are in Westminster; if there were he would be precluded from working on them under the company’s code of conduct.

Applications for decision

Demolition of existing buildings, construction of a part 5 and part 3 storey building containing 9 flats (2 x 1 bed, 4 x 2 bed, 2 x 3 bed, 1 x 4 bed) with private balconies/terraces, bicycle storage, waste storage and grass amenity areas.

An additional representation was received from Queens Park Community Council (22.5.2018)

The application was withdrawn by officers prior to the meeting as the applicant had signed an incorrect certificate of ownership.

Amalgamation of 4 flats to form a single dwelling house.

A late representation was received from the applicant Adnan Iman (undated).

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY:

That permission be refused on the grounds of loss of housing.

Temporary installation of a sculpture by Matt Marga.

The presenting officer tabled the following amendments to the draft decision letter:

Add Condition 3

Any associated spotlights should be angled and shielded so that the spotlights and artwork do not adversely affect public highway users.

Reason: In the interests of public safety as set out in S41 of Westminster’s City Plan (November 2016) and TRANS 2 and TRANS 3 of our Unitary Development Plan that we adopted in January 2007. (R24BC)

Add the following Informatives

Informative 1: In addition to planning permission, you will require the consent from the Council's Parks Department (parks@westminster.gov.uk).

Informative 2: We recommend you speak to the Head of the District Surveyors' Services about the stability of the sculpture. Please phone 020 7641 7240 or 020 7641 7230.

Informative 3: We recommend you contact Transport for London regarding the transportation and installation of the sculpture (PakLim.Wong@tfl.gov.uk).

RESOLVED (For: Councillors Mohindra, Gassanly, Glen, Hitchcock, Spencer and Boothroyd; Against: Councillor Bush)

That conditional permission be granted subject to:

1.    A condition restricting the period of display to six months;

2.    additional condition 3 as tabled and set out above;

3.    The additional informatives as tabled and set out above.

Use of part of car park (part of level 2) to provide self storage facility (Use Class B8).

An additional representation was received from Octavia House Ltd (23.5.2018).

A late representation was received from the Council’s Highways Planning Manager (24.5.18).

Councillor Tim Mitchell addressed the Sub-Committee in his capacity as a ward councillor in support of the application.

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY:

That conditional permission be granted.

Variation of Condition 6 of planning permission dated 2 April 2004 (RN: 02/04118) for alterations to elevations; infill extension to lightwell to provide new retail and office accommodation and for new plant; erection of roof extension and installation of roof plant. Use of the third floor as offices and new fourth floor mezzanine and fifth floors as 10 flats, with ancillary office and residential areas on part subbasement to part second floor levels namely, submission of an updated waste strategy to regularize how the waste for the retail unit is currently managed.

The presenting officer tabled the following change to the draft decision letter:

Replace Condition 6 of the original decision with the following:

You must provide waste storage facilities, and undertake management of those facilities, in accordance with the measures described in the letter from ORMS dated 5 March 2004 for the smaller retail unit (R2) and refuse strategy from apt.Design Ltd dated 29 January 2018 for the larger retail unit (R1). You must clearly mark the stores and lifts and make them available at all times to everyone using the building. You must store waste inside the property and only put it outside just before it is to be collected.

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY:

That conditional permission be granted subject to changes to the waste storage condition as tabled and set out above.

Erection of conservatory at rear first floor level.

An additional representation was received from 49B Westbourne Terrace, W2 (undated)

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY:

1.         That conditional permission and conditional listed building consent be agreed subject to a modifying condition to remove the doors and replace with Windows, details of which are to be submitted to and approved by the Council in relation to both the planning permission and the Listed Building Consent; and

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