town planning statement · 1. the proposed residential accommodation would fail to provide an...
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Town Planning Statement For: 219-223 Coldharbour Lane, SW9 8RU Prepared by: DaviesMurch April 2020
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Contents
1. Introduction…………………………………………………....………………………………………………………………….Page2
2. SiteandSurroundings...……………………………………………………………………………………………………….Page4
3. PlanningHistory………….……………………………………………………………………………………………………….Page5
4. PlanningPolicyContext...........................................…..……………………………………………………….Page9
5. DescriptionoftheProposals……………………………………………………...........................................Page11
6. ResponsetotheReasonsforRefusalofthePreviousApplication………................................Page12
6. OtherPlanningConsiderations…………………………………………………………………………………….…….Page16
7. SummaryandConclusion…………………………………………………………………………………………………..Page22
Appendix1………………..Photographsoffitoutof1-5HintonRoad
Appendix2………………..LetterfromAvisonYoungdated31stOctober2019
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1. Introduction
1.1 This TownPlanning Statement is submitted in supportof a full planningapplicationonbehalf of
Coldharbour Lane Limited, for the redevelopment of the site at 219-223 Coldharbour Lane,
LoughboroughJunction,SW98RU.Theproposalwillprovideamixed-usedevelopmentcomprising
commercialfloorspaceatgroundandpartfirstfloorandeightresidentialunitsonpartfirsttofourth
floor.
1.2 Thedescriptionofdevelopmentisasfollows:
“Retentionoftheexistingbuildingandupwardextensionstoprovideamixed-useschemeoverfive
floors compromising eight residential dwellings (C3UseClass), retentionof 205sqm shop (A1use
class)and/or cafe (A3use class)and339sqmofbusiness floorspace (B1UseClass) including the
provisionofa35cycleparkingspaces,amenityspaceandancillaryfacilities.”
1.3 Thisapplicationseekstoaddressthereasonsforrefusaloftwopreviousapplicationsonthissiteref:
16/03749/FULand19/02623/FULfollowingdetaileddiscussionswithofficers.
1.4 Thisstatementconsidersthevarioustownplanningaspectsoftheapplication,whichissupportedby
anumberofotherdocumentswhicharelistedbelow:
• ApplicationFormsandCertificates;
• DesignandAccessStatement;
• ApplicationDrawings;
• AccommodationSchedule;
• CGI’s;
• DaylightandSunlightReport;
• TownPlanningStatement;
• CrimePreventionStrategy;
• NoiseImpactAssessment;
• Phase1EnvironmentalReport;
• AirQualityAssessment;
• AirQualityTechnicalAddendum;
• TransportStatement;
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• DeliveryandServicingManagementPlan;
• OutlineConstructionTrafficManagementPlan;
• EnergyandSustainabilityStatement;and
• AddendumViabilityStudy.
1.5 Thisstatementisbrokendownintothefollowingchapters:
• Introduction;
• SiteandSurroundings;
• PlanningHistory;
• PlanningPolicyContext;
• DescriptionoftheProposals;
• ResponsetotheReasonsforRefusalofthePreviousApplication;
• OtherPlanningConsiderations;and
• SummaryandConclusions.
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2 SiteandSurroundings
2.1 The site is located at the junction of Coldharbour Lane and Hinton Road within Loughborough
Junction.ItiscurrentlyoccupiedbyatwostoreybuildingfrontingColdharbourLaneandsinglestorey
building frontingHintonRoad. It is amixed-useareaand locatedapproximately50meters from
LoughboroughJunctionovergroundstation.
2.2 ThesiteisusedforretailatgroundandfirstfloorfrontingColdharbourLane.Theremainingpartof
thesite,alongHintonRoadisrecentlyvacanthavingpreviouslybeenusedforcarrepairs/carwash.
2.3 Thesiteis0.065hectares(ha)insize.ThesiteisborderedtothenorthbyColdharbourLane,tothe
westbyHintonRoad,totheeastby215-217ColdharbourLaneand1-9HintonRoadtothesouth.
Buildingheightsinthearearangepredominantlybetweenonetofourstoreys,withcommercialuses
atgroundfloorandamixofcommercialandresidentialonupperfloors.
2.4 Thebuildingat215-217ColdharbourLane,hasrecentlybeencompleted.
2.5 ThesiteliestothenorthoftheLoughboroughParkConservationArea.
2.6 Thesite ishighlyaccessibleborderingona locationthathasaPublicTransportAccessibilityLevel
(PTAL)ratingof5/4/3.TherearevariousbusstopsinthelocalareawithroutestoShoreditch,Kings
Cross and Peckham. Very nearby is Loughborough Junction station providing Thameslink and
overgroundservicesintoCentralLondon.
2.7 Theexistingbuildingaccommodatesa229sqmfurnitureshop(A1useclass),splitovergroundand
first floor fronting Coldharbour Lane. The remainder of the site, fronting Hinton Road,
accommodates314.5sqmofsuigenerisspace,thatwaspreviouslyusedasgarageservicing/repair
andcarwashandhasrecentlybecomevacant.
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3 PlanningHistory
3.1 Thesitesrecentplanningissetoutinthetablebelow.
Application
Ref:
DescriptionofDevelopment Decision
16/03749/FUL
Demolition of existing 2 storey building and rear extension and
erectionofpart2-,part5-storeymixedusebuildingcomprisingof
approximately 145sqm commercial floorspace on ground floor
(Use Class A1/A3), 209sqm (Use Class B1(a)) floorspace on first
floor,268sqmflexibleworkshop/creativeunits (UseClassB1)on
groundandfirstfloors,nineClassC3residentialflatsonremaining
upper floors (4 x no1 bedroom, 5 x no2 bedroom); including
provisionofbalconies,communalroofgarden,binstoresandcycle
parking;andotherancillaryworks.
Refused 25th
October2016
19/02623/FUL Alterations and extensions to the existing building and upward
extensions to provide mixed-use scheme up to 7 storeys high
comprising 13 residential dwellings (C3 Use Class), 208sqm of
flexiblefloorspaceconsistingofretail/café/restaurant(useclasses
A1 and A3), and 207sqm of business floorspace (B1 Use Class),
includingtheprovisionof22cycleparkingspaces,amenityspace
andancillaryfacilities.
Refused 6th
March2020
3.2 Thedecisionnoticeforthefirstscheme(ref:16/03749/FUL)confirmspermissionwasrefusedforsix
reasons,whicharelistedbelow:
1. Theproposedresidentialaccommodationwouldfailtoprovideanappropriateandbalanced
mixofunitsizes,includingfamily-sizedaccommodationtomeetcurrentandfuturehousing
needscontrarytotheLondonPlan(MALP)2016Policies3.5and3.8,andLambethLocalPlan
(2015)PoliciesH1,H2,H4andD4;
2. Theproposeddevelopment,byreasonoftheabsenceofanyprovisionbywhichtosecurean
appropriatecontribution towarddeliveringaffordablehousing,would fail tocontribute to
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balancedandsustainablecommunitieswhichiscontrarytoLondonPlan2016Policies3.10,
3.11and3.12andLambethLocalPlan(2015)PoliciesH2,H4andD4;
3. Theproposeddevelopment,byvirtueofitsdetaileddesignwouldresultinanincongruous
form of development, which would be visually intrusive in the streetscene. As such the
developmentwouldfailtointegratewithinthesurroundingcontextandwouldbeharmfulto
thecharacterofthearea,localdistinctivenessandthevisualamenitiesoftheneighbouring
occupiers.TheproposalisthereforeconsideredtobecontrarytocontrarytoParagraphs17
and56oftheNPPF,LondonPlan(2016)Policies7.4,7.5,7.6and7.7;andLambethLocalPlan
(2015)Policies:D1,Q2,Q5,Q7,Q8,Q16,Q17andPN10;
4. The proposed development, by virtue of its scale, height and design would result in an
unneighbourly formof development,whichwould result in unacceptable loss of outlook,
increased sense of enclosure, loss of privacy and loss of daylight to the occupiers of the
adjoiningsitescontrarytoLambethLocalPlan(2015)PolicyQ2;
5. The application fails to adequately accommodate andmitigate against the highways and
parkingimpactsoftheproposalbywayoflegalagreementstosecureadequatehighwaysand
pedestrianimprovementsincludingsafeaccesstothesiteandtosecurecarclubbaysand
membershipforthefutureoccupiersofthebuildingcontrarytoLambethLocalPlan(2015)
PoliciesT2,T6,T7andT8;and
6. TheapplicationfailstodemonstratethataSustainableUrbanDrainageSystem(SUDS)would
beemployedtoresultinanetdecreaseinboththevolumeandrateofrun-offleavingthe
sitebyincorporatingSUDSinlinewiththeLondonPlandrainagehierarchyandNationalSUDS
Standards,contrarytoLondonPlan(MALP)2016Policy5.13andLambethLocalPlan(2015)
PolicyEN6.
3.3 Thedecisionnoticeforthesecondrefusal(ref:19/02623/FUL),confirmspermissionwasrefusedfor
eightreasonswhicharelistedbelow:
1. Theproposeddevelopment,byvirtueofitsscaleandheightwouldresultinanunneighbourly
formofdevelopment,whichwouldresultinunacceptablelossofoutlook,increasedsenseof
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enclosure,andlossoflighttotheoccupiersoftheadjoiningsiteat215-217ColdharbourLane,
contrarytoLambethLocalPlan(2015)PolicyQ2.
2. Theproposalwouldresult inanunacceptable lossofemploymentgenerating land, to the
detrimentoftheLambethandwiderLondoneconomyandtherangeoflocalbusinessand
jobopportunities.AssuchtheproposaliscontrarytoPolicyED2oftheLambethLocalPlan
(2015).
3. In the absence of clear and robust information which demonstrates that the proposed
schemehasbeendesignedtomitigatetheimpactoftheadjoiningnoisegeneratinguseson
the future occupiers of the proposed building (external amenity space), it has not been
demonstratedthattheproposedschemecomplieswiththeagentofchangeprinciplesand
willnotprejudicethelong-termviabilityoftheadjoiningcommercial.Assuchtheproposalis
contrarytoDraftLondonPlan(2019)PolicyD13.
4. Intheabsenceofsufficientinformationtodemonstratethattherequisitecycleparkingfor
thedevelopmentcanbeaccommodatedonthesite,theproposalsfailstofullyincorporate
sustainablemodesoftransportandtheapplicationcontrarytoPoliciesQ1,Q13andT3ofthe
LambethLocalPlan(2015)andPolicies6.3,6.9,6.10and6.12oftheLondonPlan(2016)and
PolicyT5oftheDraftLondonPlan(2019).
5. In the absence of a S106 legal agreement to ensure that local people are providedwith
employmentduringthecourseofthedevelopmenttheproposalfailstomitigatetheimpacts
ofthedevelopmentintermsofemploymentandtrainingwhichiscontrarytoPolicy3.1of
theLondonPlan(2016)andPoliciesED14andD4oftheLambethLocalPlan(2015)andthe
EmploymentandSkillSPD(2018).
6. IntheabsenceofaS106legalagreementtosecureaffordablehousingprovisiontosupport
the scheme, which has been deemed viable by the local planning authority by way of a
viabilityappraisal, theproposalwould fail toprovidethemaximumreasonableamountof
affordablehousing.ThisiscontrarytoPoliciesD4andH2oftheLambethLocalPlan(2015),
Policy3.12oftheLondonPlan(2016),Lambeth'sDevelopmentViabilitySPD(2018andthe
Mayor'sAffordableHousingandViabilitySPG(2017).
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7. IntheabsenceofaS106legalagreementtopreventfutureoccupiersfromobtainingparking
permitsandtosecurecarclubmembershipsforoccupierstheproposalwouldnotpromote
sustainable modes of transport and less private car ownership, and fails to mitigate the
impactsofthedevelopmentontheadjacenthighways.Theproposalisthereforecontraryto
LondonPlan(2016)Policies6.3and6.12andPoliciesT1,T6andT7oftheLambethLocalPlan
(2015).
8. IntheabsenceofaS106legalagreementtoprovideacarbonoffsetfinancialcontribution,
theproposalwouldfailtominimisecarbondioxideemissionsinaccordancewithPolicy5.2of
theLondonPlan(2016)andPolicyD4oftheLambethLocalPlan(2015).
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4. PlanningPolicyContext
4.1 Section 47 of the National Planning Policy Framework, February 2019, states in relation to
determinationofplanningapplications:
“Planninglawrequiresthatapplicationsforplanningpermissionbedeterminedinaccordancewith
thedevelopmentplan,unlessmaterialconsiderationsindicateotherwise.Decisionsonapplications
shouldbemadeasquicklyaspossible,andwithinstatutorytimeframesunlessalongerperiodhas
beenagreedbytheapplicantinwriting.”
4.2 TheDevelopmentPlanconsistsof:
• TheLondonPlan(2016);and
• LambethLocalPlan(2015).
4.3 Considerationisalsogiventothefollowing:
• TheNationalPlanningPolicyFramework;and
• PlanningPracticeGuidance.
4.4 Regardisalsohadtoregionalandlocalsupplementaryplanningguidancewhererelevant.
4.5 Atthetimeofwriting,anewdraftLondonPlan,isatanadvancedstageofprogression.Itislikelyit
will be adopted prior to the determination of this application. Given its advanced status,
considerableweight isgivento itspoliciesandthereforewehavereferredtothembelow,where
relevant,alongsidethepoliciesofthecurrentLondonPlan.
SiteSpecificPolicies
4.6 TheLambethLocalPlan-PoliciesMap2015,confirmsthatthesitedoesnotbenefitfromanysite
specificpolicies.However,itisadjacenttoanallocationforaLocalCentreandtotheNorthofthe
LoughboroughParkConservationArea.
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4.7 Consideration is given to the schemes compliance with the relevant planning policies within
section5and6below.
LoughboroughJunctionMasterplan
4.8 TheCouncilhavebeenprogressingconsultationoftheLoughboroughJunctionMasterplanwhichwas
duetobeadoptedinlate2017,butweunderstandhasstalledandnotprogressed.Whilstitdoes
notandwillnothaveanyformalpolicystatus,it’sintentionistoguidefuturedevelopmentcoming
forwardintheLoughboroughJunctionArea.
4.9 Thelatestversionofthisdocument(Stage4), identifiesthesitewiththepotentialforafour/five
storey buildingwith the potential for providingmixed use development including retail fronting
ColdharbourLane,commercialandresidentialontheupperfloors.
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5. DescriptionoftheProposals
5.1 Theproposalistoretaintheexistingbuildingandprovideupwardextensionsforamixed-usebuilding
comprisingeight flats,205sqmof retail (A1useclass)and339sqmofemployment space (B1use
class).
5.2 Atgroundfloorlevel,115sqmofretailfrontingColdharbourLaneand260sqmofemploymentuse
frontingHintonRoadisproposed.Plant,refuse,35cycleparkingspacesarealsoprovidedatground
floor,ofwhich20areprovidedforresidentsand15areprovidedonstreetforvisitors.Accesstothe
residentialaccommodationontheupperfloorsisprovidedviaanewentrancecoreoffHintonRoad.
5.3 Atfirstfloortheschemecomprises90sqmofretainedretailspace(A1useclass)frontingColdharbour
Lane. An89sqmcommunalroofgardenisprovidedforthebenefitoftheresidentsfrontingonto
HintonRoad,whichisaccessedfromtheresidentialcoreatgroundfloor.
5.4 Onetwobedflatisprovidedatfirstfloor.Theremainingsevenflatsareprovidedatsecondtofourth
floors.
5.5 Theschemesunitmixisasfollows,fouronebedunits,threetwobedunitsandonethreebedunits.
5.6 Alltheunitsbenefitfromprivateamenityspaceranginginsizebetween5sqmand8.2sqm.
5.7 Theschemehasbeendesigned to tier/ stepaway fromtheneighbouringpropertyat215 to217
ColdharbourLane.AdetaileddescriptionofthebuildingdesignisprovidedwithinsectionDandEof
theDesignandAccessStatementthataccompaniestheapplication.
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6. ResponsetotheReasonsforRefusalofthePreviousApplication
6.1 Theschemeseekstoaddressthereasonsforrefusaloftheprevioustwoplanningapplicationswhich
havebeensubjecttodetaileddiscussionwithCouncilofficersandtheiradvisors. Thisapplication
followstheadviceprovidedbyofficers.
6.2 Below,wehaveidentifiedthereasonsforrefusalofthepreviousapplicationandexplainedhowthey
havebeenaddressedbythecurrentproposal.
Reason1–Scaleandheightandassociatedimpactonoutlook,senseofenclosureandlossofoutlook
6.3 Paragraph7.59oftheofficer’sreportfortherefusedscheme,confirmstheproposedheightofthe
refusedschemeatsevenstoreyswasacceptable,insofarastheproposalrelatestoitscontextand
thesiteoccupiesaprominentpositionataspaciousjunction.Paragraph7.66goesontoconclude:
“Thescale,heightandmassingisappropriateforthissite,andwouldcreateamarkerforthisjunction
withoutvisuallydominatingotherattractivebuildingsinthevicinity,specificallyGreenMan.”
6.4 Thedetails behind this reason for refusal are explainedwithinparagraphs7.102 to7.109,which
relate todaylight and sunlight impacts and7.121,which relates tooverbearing impact/ senseof
enclosure. In both instances, it is the impact to 215-217 Coldharbour Lane that is considered
unacceptable.
6.5 Daylightandsunlightandsenseofenclosureareaninter-relatedissue.Inplanningterms,asarule
ofthumb,ifdaylightandsunlightimpactsareconsideredtobeacceptable,thesenseofenclosureis
alsolikelytobeconsideredacceptable.
6.6 Toaddressthisreasonforrefusal,Point2havecontinuedtoworkwiththeCouncil’s independent
consultanttoagreeamassingenvelopefortheschemewhichwouldallowmeaningfuldevelopment
tocomeforward,balancedagainsttheimpactson215to217ColdharbourLane.Theresultofthat
dialogueistherevisedapplication,whichreducestheheightofthebuildingfromsevenstoreysto
fivestoreys.Theschemehasalsobeendesignedtoslopeawayfrom215-217ColdharbourLaneasit
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stepsup.Thiswillsignificantlyincreasetheviewofskyfromtheunitswithin215-217Coldharbour
Lane,particularlyforthoseonthelowerlevels.
6.7 Furthermore,theschemehasbeendesignedtoincreasethedistancebetweentheproposedbuilding
asitstepsupandawayfrom215-217ColdharbourLane.
6.8 Inrespectofdaylightandsunlight,theconclusionoftheupdatedreportfromPoint2isasfollows:
“Giventhelowlevelofmassingcurrentlyoccupyingthesite,proportionateVSCreductionsthatexceed
theBREGuidanceare inevitable. Nevertheless, theonly3propertiesexperiencesomederogation
fromdefaultguidance,namely:209a,225and215-217ColdharbourLane.
Inrelationto209a,whenconsideringVSCandNSLholistically,theoverallchangestothesitefacing
roomisassessedasbeingofminorsignificance.Inrelationto215-217and225,whilsttheremaybe
somehigherproportionatereductionswhichcouldbenoticeable, itmustberememberedthatthe
existingsitecomprisesaverylowrisewarehouseandtheBREGuiderecognizesthatagreaterlevel
ofobstructionmaybeunavoidableifnewdevelopmentsaretoallowmeaningfulredevelopmentof
neightbouringsites.Nevertheless,theretainedlevelsofdaylightareconsideredtobecommensurate
withatypicalurbanlocality
Wefullysupportthisplanningapplicationintermsofdaylightandsunlightamenity.”
6.9 TheCouncil’sdaylightandsunlightadvisorshavepreviouslyreviewedthemassingfortheproposed
scheme.AcopyoftheirletterisattachedatAppendix2.Theyspecificallyconsideredtheimpactthe
proposalwouldhaveontheflats2and4within215-217ColdharbourLane.Theirconclusionwas
thattheimpactwouldnotresultintheflatsbeing‘poorlylit’andthattheimpact,asrestrictedto
thesetwoflatslivingareas‘mightbeacceptable’.
6.10 Taking account of the above, it is considered that the proposed scheme strikes an appropriate
balancebetweenprotectingtheimpactsofneighbouringresidentswithin215-217ColdharbourLane
andallowingmeaningfuldevelopmenttocomeforwardonthiscornersite.
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Reason2–Lossofemploymentgeneratingland
6.11 Theofficersreportnotesthatthisreasonsforrefusalrelatestothelossinemploymentgenerating
usesfrom314sqmofexistingsui-generisuseto107sqmofproposedB1(a)officefloorspace.Itgoes
ontonotethatthisiscontrarytoLocalPlanpolicyED2andintheabsenceofatleastoneyear’sworth
ofmarketing evidence to demonstrate no demand for alternative employment uses itwould be
unacceptable.
6.12 Thisapplicationproposestorespondtothisbyre-providingtheemploymentspaceonalikeforlike
basis.Itisthereforeproposedtoreplacetheexisting314.5sqmofsui-generiswithaslightupliftof
339sqmofB1(a)officespace.
6.13 ThischangewilladdresstheCouncil’sreasonforrefusal.
Reason3–Mitigationoftheimpactofadjoiningnoisegeneratinguses
6.14 Paragraph7.84oftheofficer’sreportstatesthatthisreasonforrefusalrelatestodraftLondonPlan
PolicyD13,AgentofChange,andthepotentialimpactoftheadjoiningMOTcentreontheexternal
amenityspacewithintheproposeddevelopment.WeunderstandthatthisrelatestotheMOTcentre
at1-5HintonRoad.
6.15 WehadpreviouslyclarifiedwithofficersthattheMOTusehasceasedandthatconversionofthe
groundfloorfromB2toB1(a)wasintheprocessoftakingplace.Photographsofthefrontofthe
buildingisprovidedatAppendix1.
6.16 Weunderstandthatthischangehasbeenachievedfollowingtheownersestablishingthelawfuluse
of thebuilding asB2 via application ref: 19/00977/LDCE. Theownershave then carriedout the
conversionusingpermitteddevelopmentrightswithinClassI,Schedule2,Part3,ofTheTownand
CountryPlanningUseClassesOrderasamended.
6.17 BasedontheabovethereisnolongeranMOTusenexttothesiteandthereforetheissuefallsaway.
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Reason4–CycleParkingProvision
6.18 Paragraph 7.149 of the officer’s report stated that officerswere not convinced that the refused
schemecouldaccommodatethenecessarycycleparkingspacesrequiredbythedevelopmentand
Q13oftheLocalPlan.
6.19 TheTransportAssessmentsubmittedwiththeapplicationconfirmsthattheproposedschemewill
require35cycleparkingspaces.20spaceswillbeprovidedincoveredstorageareaforresidents.
Theother15,willbeprovidedforvisitorsonthepublicfootway,adjacenttothebuilding.Further
detailisprovidedwithinsectionDoftheDesignandAccessStatement.
Reasons5to8
6.20 Reasons5to8allrelatetotheabsenceofalegalagreementtosecurethefollowing:
• Employmentoflocalpeopleduringconstructionofthedevelopment;
• Affordablehousing;
• Preventionoffutureresidentsapplyingforparkingpermits;and
• Carbonoffsetcontribution.
6.21 Theapplicantishappytoagreeappropriatelywordedobligationswithinas106agreementinrelation
tothefourpointsabove.Onthisbasis,itisunderstoodthatthesereasonsforrefusalwouldfallaway.
Wehavethereforenotcommentedonthemfurtherandlookforwardtodiscussingthedetailsofthe
obligationsinduecourse.
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7. OtherPlanningConsiderations
7.1 This section of the Town Planning Statement considers the various other town planning issues
associatedwiththedevelopmentthathavenotalreadybeenconsideredinsection6above.Noneof
theseconsiderationsformedreasonsforrefusalofthepreviousapplication.
LandUse
7.2 Wehavealreadydealtwiththelanduseissuesrelatingtotheexistingsui-generisandproposedB1(a)
officeusesinsection6above.
LandUse-Retail
7.3 TheofficersreportfortherefusedschemesupportstheprovisionofA1(shops)andA3(restaurants
andcafes)onthesite,whichisconsistentwithPolicyED7andED10oftheLocalPlan.Itisproposed
to replace the existing 229sqm on sitewith 205sqm,which is a slight reduction of 24sqm. The
reductionisasaresultofremovingthesiteawayfromtheboundarywith215-217ColdharbourLane
toaccommodatethedesignchangesrequestedbyofficers.
7.4 The refused schemeproposeda similar, slight reduction,whichofficers confirmedat7.6of their
reportwasacceptable.
LandUse-Residential
7.5 Theprovisionofresidentialusesonthesiteissupportedbypolicyatalllevels,includingPolicyH1of
theLocalPlanandLondonPlanPolicies3.3and3.4.Paragraph7.13oftheofficer’sreportconfirms
thattherearenoobjectionsinprincipletoprovisionofresidentialaccommodationonthesite.
AffordableHousing
7.6 Therefusedschemewassupportedbyaviabilityassessmentthatwasreviewedbyanindependent
consultantonbehalfoftheCouncil.Theconclusionofthatreviewissetoutinparagraphs7.20to
7.46oftheofficer’sreportfortherefusedscheme.
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7.7 Thatreviewprocesshelpedtofixmanyofthemovingpartsassociatedwiththedevelopment.The
ViabilityStudyhasbeenupdatedtakingaccountoftheinputspreviouslyagreedwiththeCouncil’s
advisors.Theconclusionisthatthedevelopmentcannotaffordtoprovideanyaffordablehousing.
7.8 WhilstitisunderstoodthattheprovisionofaffordablehousingisapriorityfortheCouncil,inthis
instance,theCouncilhasprioritisedtheimpactofthedevelopmentonneighbouringproperties.This
hassignificantlyconstrainedthelevelofdevelopmentthatcanbeboughtforwardonthesiteand,
consequentially,itcannotaffordtoprovideanyaffordablehousing.
7.9 Furthermore,theCouncilwillbeawareofthecontentsofAnnexeAoftheSecretaryofState’sletter
totheMayorofLondondated13thMarch2020andspecificallyDirectionDR3.Thisclearlystatesthat
affordablehousingandtariffstylecontributionsshouldnotbesoughtondevelopmentsof10units
orless.
7.10 TheViabilityStudyhasbeensubmittedwiththeapplicationforcompletenessandtodemonstrateto
officers that the development could not have provided any affordable housing in any event.
However,takingaccountoftheclearstatementfromtheSecretaryofState,myclientdoesnotexpect
tohaveanyfurtherdiscussionswiththeCouncilrelatingtoviability.
DesignandArchitecture
7.11 Commentaryinrelationtothebulkandmassingoftheproposedbuildingissetoutinsection6above.
Paragraphs 7.61 to 7.64 of the officer’s report sets out comments on the refused application in
respectofdesignandarchitecture.Itconfirmsthatthegeneralapproachisacceptable,includingthe
choiceofmaterials.
7.12 It notes the need for planning conditions to be used in respect of specific details, such as brick
specification,signageandscreeningfortheamenityspace.Theapplicanthasnoobjectiontotheuse
ofmaterialstoensureahigh-qualitydevelopmentwillbedelivered.
DaylightandSunlight
7.13 ADaylightandSunlightAssessmenthasbeensubmittedinsupportoftheapplication.Consideration
hasalreadybeengiveninsection5abovetotheresultsinrelationto215-217ColdharbourLane.In
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respectofother surroundingproperties, it confirms that impacts from theproposed schemeare
consideredtobeacceptable.
7.14 It is therefore considered that the proposed scheme achieves acceptable standards in terms of
impactonsurroundingpropertiesandwithintheproposedaccommodationinaccordancewithPolicy
Q2oftheLLPandsection5.5oftheMayor’sHousingSPG.
Overlooking
7.15 Detaileddiscussionstookplacewithofficersaspartoftherefusedschemeinrelationtooverlooking
of 215-217 Coldharbour Lane. These discussions have informed the proposed design and the
proposedlayoutandorientationofwindowswithintheschemeremovethepotentialforoverlooking.
Wheretherearewindowswithinthefacingelevation,theyrelatetobathroomsorkitchensandwill
beobscured.
7.16 AllotheropportunitiesforoverlookingfromtheschemeareacrossColdharbourLaneorHintonRoad
whichprovidesmorethansufficientseparationdistancesandthereforenoconcernsareraisedinthis
regard.
7.17 Officersconfirmtheiragreementofthiswithinsections7.90and7.91oftheirreport.
FloorspaceStandards
7.18 Fulldetailsoftheresidentialfloorspacestandardsachievedbythisdevelopmentaresetoutinsection
paragraph1.3ofsectionDoftheenclosedDesignandAccessStatement,whichconfirmthatthey
complywiththeNationalHousingStandardsandtheMayor’sHousingSPG.
AmenityandPlayspaceStandards
7.19 PolicyH5oftheLLPrequiresthatflatteddevelopmentprovideatleast50sqmofcommunalspace
plusanadditional10sqmperflat intheformofabalcony,terrace,gardenofconsolidatedwithin
communityspace.
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7.20 Theschemeprovidesatotalof139sqmofamenityspaceofwhich89sqmiscommunalamenityspace,
providedatfirstfloorrooflevelalongHintonRoad.Eachflatbenefitsfromitsownbalconywhich
meetsorexceedsthestandardssetout intheMayor’sHousingSPG. Atotalof50sqmofprivate
amenityspaceisprovided,whichwhencombinedwiththe89sqmofcommunalamenityspace(total
of139sqmofamenityspace)ismorethanthe130sqmrequiredbyPolicyH5oftheLocalPlan.
Aspect
7.21 Standard5.2.1oftheMayor’sHousingSPGrequiredthatdevelopmentsshouldavoidsingleaspect
northfacingdwellings,withparagraph2.3.31requiringthat,wherepossible,dualaspectdwellings
shouldbemaximised.
7.22 Sevenoftheeightproposedunitsaredualaspectanditisconsideredthattheschemewillprovidea
veryhighstandardofaccommodationinthisregard.
WheelchairAccommodation
7.23 TheenclosedaccommodationscheduleconfirmsthattwounitsaredesignedtomeetM4(3)ofthe
BuildingRegulations,whicharethethreebedandaonebed.AllotherunitsdesignedtomeetM4(2).
TransportConsiderations
7.24 Wehavealreadydealtwiththereasonforrefusalrelatingtocycleparkinginsection6above.
7.25 ATransportAssessmenthasbeensubmittedinsupportoftheapplication.Amongstotherthings,it
considerstheimpactthedevelopmentwillhaveonparkingonsurroundingstreets.Itconcludes:
“The parking survey has demonstrated that there is substantial vacant kerbside parking space
availableinthevicinityofthesiteevenwhenresidentialparkingisatitsheaviestovernight,which
would cater for any conceivable level of car ownership by residents of this developmentwithout
causingproblemsforothersinthearea.”
7.26 Inparallel,aDeliveryandServicingManagementPlanisalsosubmittedtominimisetheimpacton
trafficconditionsonthehighwayandwillbeoperatedforthelifetimeofthedevelopment.
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EnergyandSustainability
7.27 Inrespectofenergy,theEnergyandSustainabilityReportsubmittedwiththeapplicationconfirms
thatitcanachievean83%reductioninCO2emissionsoverthePartL2016baselinebyusingair
sourceheatpumpsandPV’s.Acarbonoffsetpaymentof£3,705willberequiredtoensurethe
schemecomplieswithPolicySI2,Minimisinggreenhousegasemissions,ofthedraftLondonPlan.
7.28 Inrespectofsustainability,section4oftheEnergyandSustainabilityReportdetailsthemeasures
includedwithintheproposaltomeetthehigheststandardsofsustainabledesignandconstruction.
StatementofCommunityInvolvement
7.29 Detailsof theconsultationundertaken inconnectionwiththissite issetout insectionB.5of the
enclosedDesignandAccessStatement.
NoiseImpact
7.30 A Noise Impact Assessment has been submitted in support of the application. The assessment
concludes:
"Measurednoiselevelsallowedarobustglazingspecificationtobeproposedwhichwouldprovide
internalnoiselevelsforallresidentialenvironmentsofthedevelopmentcommensuratetothedesign
rangeofBS8233.
Nofurthermitigationmeasuresshouldberequiredinordertoprotecttheproposedhabitablespaces
fromexternalnoiseintrusion."
7.31 Inlightoftheseconclusionsitisnotconsideredanyissuesareraisedinthisregard.
AirQuality
7.32 AnAirQualityAssessmentandAirQualityTechnicalAddendumhavealsobeensubmittedinsupport
of the proposalswhich considers the impact of construction activity on local air quality and the
suitabilityofthesitefortheintendeduse.Thisassessmentconcludes:
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“Despitethechangeintheproposedschemedesign,theconclusionsandoutcomesreportedwithin
theoriginal2019submissionremainthesameandtherefore,basedontheassessmentresults,air
qualityissuesarenotaconstrainttoplanningconsentfortheproposeddevelopment.”
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8. SummaryandConclusions
8.1 Section 47 of the National Planning Policy Framework, February 2019, states in relation to
determinationofplanningapplications:
“Planninglawrequiresthatapplicationsforplanningpermissionbedeterminedinaccordancewith
thedevelopmentplan,unlessmaterialconsiderationsindicateotherwise.Decisionsonapplications
shouldbemadeasquicklyaspossible,andwithinstatutorytimeframesunlessalongerperiodhas
beenagreedbytheapplicantinwriting.”
8.2 Theapplicationproposes:
“Retentionoftheexistingbuildingandupwardextensionstoprovideamixed-useschemeoverfive
floors compromising eight residential dwellings (C3UseClass), retentionof 205sqm shop (A1use
class)and/or cafe (A3use class)and339sqmofbusiness floorspace (B1UseClass) including the
provisionofa35cycleparkingspaces,amenityspaceandancillaryfacilities.”
8.3 Theproposeddevelopmentrespondstothereasonsforrefusalofthepreviousapplicationandwill
provideahigh-qualityscheme,includingnewhomesandemploymentspace.
8.4 Thedevelopmenthasbeenshapedwithsignificantattentiongiventotheimpactsoftheneighbours
at215-217ColdharbourLane.Themassingfortheschemehasbeentheproductofcollaborative
workingwiththeCouncil’sindependentdaylightandsunlightadvisor.Theoutcomeofthisprocess
istheproposedscheme,whichwilldelivermeaningfuldevelopmentoftheapplicationsite,whilst
protectingtheamenitiesofneighbours.
8.5 This Town Planning Statement considers the proposals against the policy requirements of the
developmentplan.Theproposalsfullyaccordwithdevelopmentplanpoliciesforthereasonsset
outabove.Italsotakesaccountoftheissuesidentifiedwithintheofficer’sreportoftherefused
scheme. We therefore consider the proposals to be acceptable and in accordance with the
developmentplan.Therewouldbenoreasonablebasisforrefusal.Wewouldrespectfullyrequest
thatplanningpermissionisgrantedwithoutdelay.
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Appendix1
24
Photographsoffitoutof1-5HintonRoad
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Appendix2
Our Ref: IA/02B905890 Your Ref:
31 October 2019
Jeni Cowan Senior Planning Officer Planning, Transport and Development London Borough of Lambeth PO Box 734 Winchester S023 5DG Dear Sirs Application 19/02623/FUL – Daylight and Sunlight Assessment Lambeth Council have appointed us to review the analysis of Daylight and Sunlight Impact as submitted by Point 2 Surveyors on behalf of the developer in June 2019.
In assessing this report no drawn analysis has been made and only three flats of 215-271 Coldharbour Lane have been inspected internally. We have relied on the accuracy of the submitted report and comment on the content and conclusions thereof.
The basis for this report is correctly stated as the BRE document “Site Layout planning for Daylight and Sunlight, A Guide to good Practice “.
This guidance advises that in terms of Daylight and Sunlight reductions of 20% or more will be noticeable by neighbours. This therefore means an assessment must be made of the existing levels of Daylight and sunlight and compared to the levels of Daylight and Sunlight left by the proposed development.
This is undertaken by building 3-D computer models of the two situations and running specialist software that analyses the percentages of Daylight and Sunlight under the BRE guidance.
As far as it is possible to check it appears that the above has been undertaken correctly using surveys and research for the information on the ground. We therefore rely on the figures shown within the report analysis.
Assessment
Daylighting
There are a number of surrounding buildings assessed but only two show impacts that would concern in terms of the level of reduction. These are 219a Coldharbour Lane and 215-217 Coldharbour Lane.
219a Coldharbour Lane
65 Gresham Street London EC2V 7NQ T: +44 (0)20 7911 2468 F: +44 (0)20 7911 2560 avisonyoung.co.uk
Avison Young is the trading name of GVA Grimley Limited registered in England and Wales number 6382509. Registered office, 3 Brindleyplace, Birmingham B1 2JB Regulated by RICS
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This appears to have been incorrectly labelled in the analysis tables as 209a, however the rooms have been assessed without the benefit of internal survey and the assumption has been made that they are two bedrooms.
Losses of daylight are 38% and 44% respectively for these two rooms, reference to the table for the daylight distribution (NSL) shows that here is no impact on the daylight distribution within the room.
This is not a surprising finding as these two north facing windows face directly along the access way between the application site and 215-217.
On this basis I would agree with the conclusion that here is no harmful impact.
215-217 Coldharbour Lane
This is a development of flats on five floors with windows that run along the flank wall which faces the flank of the application site. Rooms vary from bedrooms to lounges to living/kitchen/dining areas.
The existing building on the application site is a low rise light industrial unit and the proposal is of a height that is taller than 215-217 albeit with some articulation of the rear elevation facing 215-217.
It is clear from any view that windows in the flank of 215-217 will see a significant alteration in their available daylight and sunlight.
The comparison of the existing levels to that proposed show that in terms of Daylight 15 of the 23 rooms that face the application site will see a reduction in excess of 20% of the light reaching their windows. In addition 9 of these 15 also see a loss of daylight distribution in excess of 20%.
Specifically to the Ground Floor the bedroom to Flat 1 has a 42% loss of daylight and a 36.9% loss of distribution , Flat 2 sees over 60% Daylight loss to both bedroom and living/kitchen diner with over 60% loss of distribution to both rooms . In this latter room inspection has noted that the size of room assessed in the report is incorrect with a much larger room noted than has been drawn. This will serve to increase the level of loss of light distribution.
To the first floor the bedroom to Flat 3 has a 71% loss with a 49% loss of distribution and flat 4 has a 60% loss of available daylight with a 27% loss of distribution.
To the second floor Flat 5 has over 70% losses to its two bedrooms and 30% and 40% reduction in distribution respectively. Flat 6 has 51% loss of available daylight.
Above this level flats 7 and 8 have daylight reductions of over 50% to bedrooms and living rooms respectively whilst flats 9 and 10 see reductions of between 20 and 30%.
In daylighting terms the impacts are significant, especially for the lower level flats which do enjoy reasonably high levels of light in the existing condition. This is especially so for Flat 2 where daylight is 21% in the existing condition (the ideal BRE levels is 27% ) and it is reduced to just 7% with a large loss of distribution within the flat, it will undoubtedly be a very dark flat.
Similarly flat 4 has its living room daylight reduced to 12.37% and again its distribution reduced significantly.
In an overall sense the impact on the living accommodation is major adverse impact.
Turning to Sunlight all the flats on the ground and first floors will see reductions on sunlight availability for the whole year and for the winter months reduced to below the BRE guidance levels of 25 Annual Probable Sunlight Hours with 5% in the winter and will see a reduction of more than 20% in both cases.
The sunlight is impacted to a major adverse degree for these flats.
In terms of mitigation, the report relies on the use of mirror massing , a test set out in the BRE guidance at Appendix F paragraph 5 . This suggests that where a building neighbouring a development stands
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on or close to the boundary between the two sites, it has the potential to use more than its fair share of the light across that boundary. In other words, a development may be restricted in the height it can achieve because of the need to respect a neighbours Daylight and Sunlight.
In that case the BRE suggests testing the level of daylight available to the neighbour if, hypothetically, a building were on the development site that was the same height as the neighbour. This may then give an alternative target for the development to hit in terms of the retained levels of light in that neighbour.
In this case we do not believe there is a valid situation to apply this test. 215-217 sits 4.6 m back from the boundary with the development site, separated by a small roadway and pavement. In fact it is the development site buildings that sit exactly on the boundary. The report has built this hypothetical situation with a building of the same height as 215-217 directly on its own boundary and suggests that in impact terms it need only meet what they then find are every low daylight and sunlight figures.
If one were to accept this testing scenario, then the test has been incorrectly applied. The BRE states that the two buildings should be set equally astride the boundary and as such the hypothetical building on the application site should have been set 4.6 m back from the boundary, with 215-217 (its own flank wall lie) and then the analysis undertaken. It would seem clear that in that scenario a higher standard of retained light would have been found and that would have led to a lesser height proposal for the application site in order to create an equal situation in terms of retained daylight to 215-217.
Conclusions
The analysis correctly shows in its figures that there will be a very significant impact on the residents of 215-217 in terms of loss of daylight and Sunlight, its only mitigation to this is a mirror massing analysis which we do not believe is applicable and in any event has been incorrectly applied.
In terms of the other neighbouring buildings, we can see no reason why Daylight and Sunlight issues should be of any concern.
Please do not hesitate to contact us for any further information.
Yours faithfully
Ian Absolon Principal, Rights of Light | Daylight & Sunlight | Party Wall 020 7911 2701 [email protected] For and on behalf of GVA Grimley Limited t/a Avison Young