Barnet Council's Strategic Planning Committee voted to approve planning applications for 129 Millway and Volvo Cars The Hyde. It also discussed the application for Intec House, but could not vote on it as the application is currently being appealed.

129 Millway London NW7 3JL - 24/0589/OUT - Mill HIll

The Committee voted to approve an application for outline planning permission to demolish the existing house at 129 Millway and replace it with two new houses.

The application was originally called in to the Planning Committee by Councillor Elliot Simberg because he was concerned about Rear garden development. Potential flood risk to neighbouring properties. Access to emergency vehicles limited. After being discussed by the Planning Committee, the application was referred to the Strategic Planning Committee.

The Strategic Planning Committee agreed with the officer's assessment that the development was acceptable, despite some objections from neighbours.

The officer's report noted that the principle of development on the land had been established at a previous appeal. It was also noted that a pair of semi-detached houses have previously been granted planning permission at the site.

Neighbours had expressed concerns about the environmental impact of the development, increased traffic, parking, noise, and flood risk. Some neighbours also expressed concern that the development would not be in keeping with the character of the surrounding area.

The officer's report acknowledged these concerns but stated that the principle of development had already been established. The report also noted that a condition requiring the submission of details of levels and landscaping would mitigate any flood risk.

Intec House 49 Moxon Street Barnet EN5 5TS - 23/5219/FUL - High Barnet

The Strategic Planning Committee discussed the proposed demolition and redevelopment of Intec House, but could not vote on it as the applicant has appealed the application due to non-determination.

The committee considered the officer's report, which recommended approval of the scheme. The Committee was asked to express their opinion on whether they would have voted to approve or refuse the application. This opinion will be submitted as part of the Council's evidence for the appeal.

The application proposes to demolish the existing building and erect a new part 3 to part 7 storey building in its place. The new building will include 98 residential units and 726 sqm of employment space.

The application was originally heard by Planning Committee A. The chair of Planning Committee A referred the application to the Strategic Planning Committee for further discussion on the affordable housing provision in the scheme.

The officer's report for the Planning Committee A meeting stated that the application would not be able to provide any on-site affordable housing, because an independent viability assessment had shown that the scheme would not be viable if it was required to do so.

A resident had submitted a Pre-Action Protocol¹ letter that raised a number of concerns with the previous officer's assessment, including the reliance on a flawed PTAL score², a Daylight and Sunlight assessment³ that used outdated guidelines, and an over-reliance on tree screening. The report acknowledged these concerns, and the applicant provided further daylight and sunlight assessments, and further information about the development's PTAL score.

The updated report stated that although there will be some reduction to the daylight and sunlight received at 21 South Close, the committee was content that this would not have a demonstrably harmful effect. The report also noted that the final PTAL score to be used for the assessment would be 3. The report considered all of these factors and still recommended that planning permission be granted.

The pre-action protocol for judicial review sets out a code of good practice and a timetable for the conduct of pre-action behaviour. In particular, it sets out that people who wish to bring a judicial review must set out the details of their case in a 'letter before claim' to the party they wish to bring the case against. It also encourages both sides to share information and consider alternative dispute resolution. The protocol does not change the law, but if a court later considers that one side has not acted reasonably during the pre-action process, it can impose costs penalties. The PTAL system was devised by Transport for London. It rates locations from 0 to 6, with 0 being the least accessible by public transport, and 6 being the most accessible. Daylight and Sunlight assessments are conducted by specialists using procedures set out in guidance documents produced by the Building Research Establishment. This assessment process is not required by law, but planning committees often require it to be undertaken to understand the effect of new buildings on daylight and sunlight.

Volvo Cars The Hyde London NW9 6NW - 23/4914/FUL - Colindale South

The committee voted to approve an application to demolish the existing Volvo car showroom at The Hyde, and erect a new building in its place. The new development will provide 139 residential units and a community space.

The proposed development includes a nine-storey element, so the application was referred to the Strategic Planning Committee by the chief planning officer to allow the committee to give their input.

The officer's report noted that the site is located near a number of recently permitted and completed developments, some of which include tall buildings, and stated: > The proposal would introduce a high quality, design-led building which activates the frontage along Edgware Road... the proposal would contribute positively to the local area with a distinctive character.

The report recognised that there had been some objections from residents concerned about the impact of the development on traffic, parking, visual amenity, and crime rates, and that the development would represent an overdevelopment of the site.

The officer's report stated: >The principle of a residential-led development is considered to be wholly acceptable and Officers have concluded that there are material considerations which support the principle of a tall building having regard to a proposed high quality, design-led scheme. There are significant benefits of the proposed development which have been set out above.

In particular, the report noted that the parking arrangements for the new development would result in a net reduction in the number of vehicles accessing the site. It also stated that the development will incorporate Secure By Design⁴ measures to reduce crime.

Secured by Design is a national police crime prevention initiative. The scheme provides a set of standards for new developments to reduce the opportunity for crime. The scheme is administered by Police Crime Prevention Initiatives, a police owned organisation, and the standards are based on guidance from the police. Planning authorities often require new developments to meet Secure By Design standards.