Meetings, Agenda and Minutes

Councillor Osbourne declared a personal interest in Planning item D16 (81 Knightwood Crescent, New Malden, KT3 5JP) and withdrew from the room during consideration of this item.

Reason: Councillor Osbourne knows the objector in a personal capacity.

Weekday parking problems in Cardinal Crescent and Beechcroft Avenue, New Malden.

1.                  A petition of 11 signatures was handed in by Mr Carr from New Malden, about the excessive daytime parking by Kingston Hospital staff in Beechcroft Avenue and Cardinal Crescent in New Malden. This is said to cause considerable difficulties for local residents and also poses major safety issues due to the consequent remaining road width. Mr Carr requested that consideration be given to introducing parking controls in the above two streets. The Committee agreed to refer the matter to the Neighbourhood Traffic Management officers.

Traffic Management in the Groves, New Malden

2.                  The Groves Association handed in a petition of over 550 signatures, asking that an urgent review be undertaken of the traffic management within the Groves; this is due to the enormous traffic congestion problems with potential danger to pupils travelling to the two primary schools and residents, not to mention environmental pollution and risk of obstruction to emergency vehicle access routes.  The Groves Association request that a working party, comprising of a Ward Councillor, appropriate council officials, police, Head Teachers of Christ Church and Corpus Christi schools and this Association, be set up to consider all the issues, as well as residents suggested short and long term solutions and decide what is appropriate for the Groves. The Committee agreed to refer the matter to the Neighbourhood Traffic Management officers.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 16 June 2010 be confirmed as a correct record 

As a consequence of the severe winter weather experience in 2009/10, a number of carriageways, across the Borough, suffered accelerated failures that required an urgent response to keep them usable and safe for traffic. This has had budget ramifications and a subsequent effect on the 2010/11 Neighbourhood Planned Maintenance Programmes agreed at the 3 February meeting. The report informs the Committee of what works needed in their Neighbourhood and, as a consequence of the Executive meeting of the 30 June, the revised Neighbourhood carriageway and footway planned maintenance budget for 2010/11.

FINANCIAL UPDATE

The Senior Account, Tim Edwards gave an overview of the position of highway maintenance and the Council’s wider financial situation. On the 30 June 2010, the Executive set out the outturn position on spending in 2009/10 and the proposals to address specific issues regarding highway maintenance.  At Budget Council it was agreed to set aside an additional £400,000 for highway maintenance for 2010/11and there is also a specific Department of Transport grant of £79,900. The base budget for highways maintenance (both planned and responsive works) totals almost £1.5 million in 2010/11.

Urgent work was carried out on Nelson Road and Presburg Road in 2009/10 resulting in an overspend on highway maintenance in the Neighbourhood’s budget.  The total overspend was £ 98,000; this has been reduced by other savings elsewhere on the Neighbourhood budget to a net overspend of £52,000. 

The Executive has recognised the particular situation on highway maintenance and has agreed a one off arrangement for Neighbourhoods for 2010/11.  This is to reallocate Neighbourhood revenue budgets, augmented by the £400,000 approved by Budget Council and the  £79,900 from DfT, for 2010/11.  Excluding South of the Borough, where a major reconstruction of Garrison Lane is needed, Neighbourhoods will receive 75% of their allocation.  The remaining 25% (£115,900) will be held back at present in case of a failure of any of the roads, whose condition is currently being monitored, and which may be too costly to be met from within the budget of a single Neighbourhood.  The allocation to this Neighbourhood is £127,200.

As reported on 30 June, the Council’s overall financial position has deteriorated due partly to reduction of Government grants.  The report to the Executive on 20 July sets out the latest position for 10/11 and the measures to be put in place to address the financial pressures. Measures include a continuing recruitment freeze and the moratorium of all non-essential spending – this applies to all Council budgets including Neighbourhood discretionary spending.

RESOLVED that

1.      the Committee note the reasons why the adjustment to their carriageway and footway planned maintenance budget is necessary and agree the following amended programme of works;

 Carriageway

The Council is required to make a LIP funding application to Transport for London (TfL), by 8 October 2010, in order to secure funding for local transport initiatives in 2011/12.  A full list of schemes and programmes for the future years (2012/13 and 2014) will be submitted as part of a separate LIP2 report and included in the LIP2 Delivery Plan.

The Council has been awarded the following indicative funding levels for the 2011/12 financial year, based on a TfL needs-based formula:

Neighbourhoods & Corridors                      £1,427,000

Smarter Travel                                               £252,000

Local Transport Funding                              £100,000

RESOLVED that the prioritised scheme lists be supported and any additional views be provided and reported to the Executive on 7 September 2010.

Reason for the decision 

To agree the scheme priorities for consideration by the Executive on 7 September 2010

Members raised concerns of having combined Planning and Neighbourhood meetings due to the length of such meetings.  The Neighbourhood Manager explained that a couple of the meetings during the municipal year were unavoidably combined due to the deadline associated with planning applications. 

Regarding the current rota for Planning Sub-Meetings, Councillor Osbourne highlighted the possibility that a fixed rota may not be tenable.  The  purpose of two out of the three Ward Councillors attending Planning Sub Committees is to enable Councillors to choose which meetings to attend, and to avoid meetings where they may have  been involved in advising or campaigning on applications, and thus may not be eligible to take part. The Chair requested that Members alert the secretariat in advance if they are not in a position to attend a Planning Sub-Meeting for this reason. 

The Chair requested that an additional meeting be considered for the September cycle.

Councillor Humphrey suggested that the Committee at a future meeting, investigate the way pavement areas are used; as there are instances of shops putting out goods for sale on public highways. This should be controlled and also could be a source of income.

At the 16 June 2010 meeting of this Committee it was agreed to defer a decision on Acacia Playgroup grant and that the Chair and Vice Chair alongside officers from the grant team review the organisation’s latest account figures, due to a change in its financial situation.

RESOLVEDthat a grant of £500 to the Acacia Playgroup be approved:

Reason for decision

To assist the voluntary organisation to carry out its activity in the Neighbourhood.

Reason for Urgency

To allow the group to receive a decision before the summer recess.

A note on the guidance on the implementation of revised Planning Policy Statement 3 on Housing was circulated. This includes removing private residential gardens from the definition of previously developed land. It is intended as interim advice for decision making until such time a local policy can be developed as part of Council’s Local Development Framework (LDF).

RESOLVED that the report be noted  

Reason for Urgency

To enable officers to take into account the recent discussions on PPS3 at the London Plan Examination in Public and ensure Members are provided with clarity at the earliest possible opportunity.

A summary of the reasons for granting permission and of any relevant development plan policies and proposals is included in the report of the Interim Head of Planning on each application where permission is recommended. Permitted applications are subject to the conditions, informatives and other requirements set out in the report together with any other details on late responses to consultations or comments received since the agenda was printed, revised drawings circulated at the meeting and amended recommendations, additional conditions and informatives set out below.

Applications refused are for the reasons set out in the report by the Interim Head of Planning and any amended reasons are set out below.

Under the arrangements for speaking on planning applications objectors and applicants spoke on the following applications.

Grafton Works, Grafton Road, New Malden, KT3 3AD, 10/14241

Mr Collins and Mr Dan Johnson spoke as objectors to the proposal, and Mr Andrew spoke on behalf of the applicant of the proposal.

Rear of 127 Kingston Road, New Malden, 10/14017

Ms Barbara Martin spoke as an objector of the proposal and MR JF Leo spoke as the applicant of the proposal.

19 Melrose Gardens, New Malden, KT3 3HQ, 10/14187

Mr Paul Said and Ms Linda Walcott spoke as objectors to the development.

Long House, Stoke Road, Kingston upon Thames, KT2 7NX, 10/14272

Ms Fiona Burkeman and Ms Alexandra Bogoni spoke as objectors to the proposal, and Mr Mark Newham spoke on behalf of the applicant.

Pinewood, Coombe End, Kingston upon Thames, KT2 7DQ, 10/14294

Mr Stephen Bennett spoke as an objector to the proposal and Mr Paul Custers spoke on behalf of the applicant of the proposal.

5 Linkside, New Malden, KT3 4LA, 10/14332

Mr James Hasler-Winter spoke as an objector to the proposal and Mr Gordon Thorn spoke on behalf of the applicant.

81 Knightwood Crescent, New Malden KT3 5JP, 10/14352

Mr Ian and Mrs Heather McDonald spoke as objectors to the proposals.

RESOLVED that the following applications be permitted, refused or deferred as indicated.

Development of 4 Storey Block of 40 Flats with Associated Parking – Outline Planning Application to consider access, appearance, layout and scale only.

REFUSED

Retention of increase in roof height 250mm and the insertion of 2 rooflights to previously approved scheme 04/14463/FUL.

PERMIT subject to a replacement Condition 1 (as per Condition 4 of planning permission 04/14463/FUL) and an additional condition requiring the white strip around the roof to be changed to a darker colour to avoid glare at night. 

Retention of a single storey garage building to rear of property. Installation of new garage doors on existing building.

REFUSED

Reason for Refusal

The proposed outbuilding appears visually overbearing when viewed from number 22 Melrose Gardens resulting in a loss of outlook to the occupiers of this neighbouring property. The proposal is therefore contrary to policies RES3 and H1 of the Royal Borough of Kingston Upon Thames Unitary Development Plan (First Alteration).

Enforcement Action Authorised

Alteration during construction approved by planning permission 08/14511 being alteration to roof on Southern elevation. Retention of dormers to the south elevation.

PERMIT subject to an additional condition relating to the agreement of a schedule of tree remedial work to the trees in the front garden area with semi-mature replacement trees being planted should any die within five years. 

Erection of single storey front extension

PERMIT subject to an additional condition relating to hours for working on site (Standard Condition F4). 

Details required by Condition 2 (Glazing) of Planning Permission 09/14452/HOU

REFUSED

In considering the report and recommendation that Condition 2 should be discharged, Members were of the view that the proposal would result in loss of privacy to the detriment of the amenities of the neighbouring occupiers. It was therefore agreed that the condition should not be discharged for the following reason:

Reason for Refusal:

The use of clear glazing on the roofslope of the conservatory facing No 81 Knightwood Crescent would result in a loss of privacy to the detriment of the amenities of these neighbouring occupiers. The proposal is therefore not in accordance with Policy H1 of the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames Unitary Development Plan First Alteration.

Note:  Councillor Derek Osbourne declared a prejudicial interest and left the room during the discussion of this item.

            Reason: He knows the objector.

Erection of Two Storey Side Extension, Single Storey Rear Extension and Roof Extension (amended)

PERMIT subject to an additional condition relating to hours for working on site (Standard Condition F4).

Demolition of existing houses and erection of 3 x two storey houses (1 x 5- bedroom; 1 x 6-bedroom and 1 x 7- bedroom) with basement and rooms in the roof and erection of 2 detached double garages

PERMIT, subject to additional conditions added in the late material:

14.       The hard surfacing used for the proposed front garden areas shall be made of porous materials, or shall be made to direct run-off water from the hard surface to a permeable or porous area or surface within the curtilage of the dwellinghouse.

Reason: To ensure that the development would not lead to an increased risk of flooding from water run-off in accordance with Policy OL18 (Flooding) of the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames Unitary Development Plan First Alteration.

15.       No development shall take place until a Wildlife Protection Plan for Construction has been submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority.  The plan shall include:

(a) An appropriate scale plan showing "Wildlife Protection Zones" where construction activities are restricted and where protective measures will be installed or implemented;

(b) Details of protective measures (both physical measures and sensitive working practices) to avoid impacts during construction;

(c) A timetable to show phasing of construction activities to avoid periods of the year when sensitive wildlife could be harmed (such as the bird nesting season);

(d) Persons responsible for:

          (i)         Compliance with legal consents relating to nature conservation;

(ii)        Compliance with planning conditions relating to nature conservation;

          (iii)       Installation of physical protection measures during construction;

(iv)       Implementation of sensitive working practices during construction;

(v)        Regular inspection and maintenance of physical protection measures and monitoring of working practices during construction;

(vi)       Provision of training and information about the importance of "Wildlife Protection Zones" to all construction personnel on site.

All construction activities shall be implemented in accordance with the approved details and timing of the plan unless otherwise approved in writing by the local planning authority.

Reason:  To protect features of recognised nature conservation importance and wildlife in accordance with Policy O11a of the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames Unitary Development Plan First Alteration.

Demolition of 2 x existing detached houses, garages, outbuildings and garden wall

PERMIT subject to an additional condition relating to hours for working on site (Standard Condition F4). 

Erection of Two Storey Rear Extension and First Floor Side Extension and Single Storey Side Extension

PERMIT subject to an additional condition relating to hours for working on site (Standard Condition F4). 

Erection of a Single Storey Rear Extension.

PERMIT subject to an additional condition relating to hours for working on site (Standard Condition F4).

Demolition of existing house and erection of a 2-storey, 4 x bedroom house with accommodation in the roofspce. Installation of replacement gate (1.950m maximum height)

PERMIT subject to an additional condition relating to hours for working on site (Standard Condition F4). 

Conversion of garage to form granny annexe.

PERMIT, subject to the additional condition added in the late material:

4.         The accommodation hereby permitted shall be occupied solely for purposes incidental to the occupation and enjoyment of the application property as a single dwelling and shall not be used as a separate unit of accommodation.

Reason: The establishment of an additional independent unit of accommodation would give rise to an over-intensive use of the site and lead to an unsatisfactory relationship between independent dwellings in accordance with Policies BE12 (Layout and Amenity of Buildings and Extensions) and H1 (Protection of Residential Amenities) of the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames Unitary Development Plan First Alteration.

Erection of single storey garage and store to replace existing garage.

PERMIT, subject to the additional condition and informative added in the late material: 

Additional Condition

5.         The site and building works required to implement the development shall be only carried out between the hours of 08.00 and 18.00 Mondays to Fridays and between 08.00 and 13.00 on Saturdays and not at all on Bank Holidays and Sundays.

Reason:  To safeguard the amenities of the adjoining residential occupiers in accordance with Policy H1 of the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames Unitary Development Plan First Alteration.

Additional Informative

The applicant is advised to be considerate to surrounding properties and ensure that all vehicles associated with the construction of the development hereby approved access the site via The Drive rather than Orchard Rise and that all vehicles are properly washed and cleaned to prevent the passage of mud and dirt onto the adjoining highway.

Demolition of existing 6 bedroom house and erection of 5 bedroom house with basement and integral garage.

PERMIT, subject to the additional condition added in the late material:

Additional Condition

Before development commences on site a hydrological survey and construction method statement to demonstrate that the creation of the basement will not adversely impact ground water flows shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.  The basement shall then be constructed in accordance with these details.

Reason: To ensure that the creation of the basement does not affect ground water flows in an area liable to flooding and to ensure compliance with Policy OL18 of the Royal Borough of Kingston Unitary Development Plan First Alteration 2005.

Demolition of existing house. Demolition of existing house and erection of a 6 bedroom house with integral garage.

DEFERRED

Reason for Deferral:

To allow Members to visit the site to gauge the impact the proposed development would have on the amenity of the adjoining properties, and for officers to verify the boundaries of the adjoining properties.