The Planning Sub-Committee approved two applications: the demolition of a mechanics garage and the erection of a two storey dwelling house at Land to the rear of 64 Middleton Road, and the reprovision of a playing pitch with associated infrastructure and landscaping works at Land adjacent Woodberry Down Early Years Centre Springpark Drive.

2022/0963: Land to the rear of 64 Middleton Road

The Sub-Committee voted unanimously to approve an application for the demolition of a mechanics garage and its replacement with a two-storey three-bedroom dwelling house.

The application was referred to the committee due to the substantial level of objections that had been received. These objections related to the potential impact on the character of the Albion Square Conservation Area where the site is located, the impact on daylight and sunlight to nearby properties, overlooking and privacy concerns, the impact on the health of nearby trees and the environmental sustainability of the scheme.

In response to the objections, the Planning Service explained that they had visited the site several times.

The Council’s enforcement team had investigated the site several times. They explained that the current use of the site, namely a mechanic garage (use class B2), had over time become lawful

They confirmed that the scale and massing of the development would be in keeping with the character of the conservation area, and that a daylight/sunlight report had concluded that the proposals would have an acceptable impact. They explained that obscured glazing would be added to the first floor of the north and south elevations to protect the privacy of the neighbouring residents.

The Committee also heard from Mr John Wyn-Evans, a local resident who spoke against the application, and Mr Jake Edgley, Studio Director of Edgley Design, an architecture firm that has worked on numerous other projects in Hackney, who spoke in support of the application.

The Sub-Committee noted that the existing building was in poor condition, and that the change of use would result in the removal of a non-conforming use. They also noted that the new dwelling would be a family-sized unit.

They voted to grant planning permission subject to conditions. These included a condition requiring the submission of full details, with samples, of the materials to be used on the external surfaces of the building, and a condition requiring the first-floor windows on the northern and southern elevations to be obscured glazed to a height of at least 1.8m and fixed shut. The approval was also subject to a Section 106 legal agreement¹ to secure an affordable housing contribution of £50,000, a carbon offset contribution of £1,500 and a car free development.

2024/0657: Land adjacent Woodberry Down Early Years Centre Springpark Drive

The Sub-Committee also voted unanimously to grant planning permission for the reprovision of a 3G playing pitch with associated infrastructure and landscaping works at Woodberry Down.

The existing pitch is on the site of the proposed Phase 5 of the Woodberry Down regeneration scheme.

The new pitch will be located at the south of Springpark Drive, adjacent to the John Scott Health Centre.

The Sub-Committee noted that the proposed pitch was to be surfaced with 3G artificial grass, but that an existing grass area adjacent to the playing pitch could be used instead.

The Sub-Committee heard from Ms Sarah Fabes, of Berkeley Homes, the developer responsible for the regeneration of Woodberry Down, who spoke in support of the application.

They asked questions about:

• The safety measures in place at the pitch. Ms Fabes said that there would be new well lit pathways, clear visibility of the surrounding properties and security staff on site to prevent antisocial behaviour.
• The durability of the pitch. The applicant said that 3g pitches normally last for about 10-15 years.

The Sub-Committee noted that the application had been revised following consultation with local residents.

The Sub-Committee voted to grant conditional planning permission.