The Wandsworth Council Planning Applications Committee met in June to discuss a number of planning applications in the borough. Councillors approved plans for a new hotel on Ram Street, and the construction of new dwellings on Hereward Road and Mayford Road. They also approved a request to increase pupil numbers at Finton House School.

Endlesham Road Development Approved Despite Objections

Plans to build houses to the rear of 6-12 Endlesham Road were approved, despite strong objections from local residents. Councillor Hedges spoke on behalf of residents of Western Lane, raising concerns about a lack of consultation, the design's impact on the heritage of Western Lane, inconsistent planning standards, and parking issues.

Councillor Hedges also suggested a number of conditions to mitigate the impact of the development, including a publicly available construction management plan, restrictions on construction traffic and weekend working, and developer responsibility for any damage to neighbouring properties.

Despite these concerns, the application was approved with 5 votes in favour and 2 against.

Hotel on Ram Street Approved

The committee unanimously approved the construction of a six-storey, 50-bedroom hotel on the old Salvation Army Citadel site on Ram Street. The proposal includes a community/commercial space on the ground floor.

Councillor Guy Humphreys raised the issue of jobs for local residents, and Mr Moore assured him that the council has a standard schedule for section 106 agreements¹ that gives preference to local people. Councillor Ravi Govindia raised concerns about the height of the building in relation to the two-storey properties in Shoreham Close, and asked whether a transition in height had been considered. Mr Badawi responded that the area is a mid-rise zone, and the height was found to be acceptable.

Finton House School Expansion Approved

The committee unanimously approved a variation to the legal agreement for Finton House School, allowing an increase of 20 pupils, from 340 to 360.

Councillor Rapps raised concerns about transport issues, and asked if a school street² might be necessary. David Tidley, the head of transport strategy, responded that the school is happy to support a school street if the local people did, but there was strong opposition to the idea when it was previously consulted upon. Councillor Ayers expressed concerns about the creep of increasing student numbers, and feared that more increases would be asked for in the future.

Scenery House Development Approved

The committee unanimously approved the demolition of the existing warehouse at Scenery House on Hereward Road, and the erection of a four-storey building with flats and commercial space.

Councillor Apps raised concerns about the two-tier cycle racks, and suggested that the council should be thinking about facilitating cargo bikes and other types of family bikes for these kinds of homes in the future.

Councillor Humphreys asked about measures to ensure that the commercial space downstairs would not impinge on the use of the residential units. Nigel Granger, East Area Team Manager, responded that condition 28 is for noise insulation, and condition 36 is for sound attenuation measures to protect the residents from the lawful activities of the adjacent commercial unit.

Councillor Worrall asked about trees, and whether there would be replacement tree planting. Mr Granger responded that there is limited scope for landscaping within the footprint of the building, but there are opportunities for landscaping within the rear gardens of the townhouses.

Burridge Gardens Variation Approved

The committee unanimously approved the variation of conditions associated with Burridge Gardens, otherwise known as the new Peabody estate on St John's Hill.

Althorp Road Extension Approved

The committee unanimously approved the erection of a mansard roof extension and additional story at 47 Althorp Road.

Parma Crescent Extension Approved

The committee unanimously approved the erection of a rear extension at 27 Parma Crescent.

Councillor Pridham spoke on behalf of a neighbour, Rosalind Young, who raised concerns that the application goes beyond what has previously been permitted in the area, and that it would cause considerable deprivation of light.

Mr Granger responded that the extension next door is immune from enforcement action, but that each application is looked at individually on its merits. He added that the side windows are never supposed to be the principal sources of daylight to these rooms.

Councillor Govindia said that the real difficulty is that number 26 has got away with something that they should not have got away with, and that subsequent neighbours have decided that what they can have, I will also have.

Councillor Justin asked what happens from a legal point of view now of this becoming a chain reaction, and whether they'll all be using the precedent of 27, and not 26. Mr Calder responded that the important thing is that they're two attached extensions, so that they form a pair.

Mayford Road Garages Development Approved

The committee unanimously approved the demolition of existing garages west of 79 Mayford Road, and the erection of two single-storey dwellings.

Councillor Hedges spoke against the application, raising concerns about compliance with policy LP34, the unjustified removal of protected trees, procedural irregularities, and overdevelopment.

Councillor Apps asked about the tree preservation orders, and whether they applied to the trees that are being removed. Mr Granger responded that the trees are not the original trees, and that the degree of felling and pruning is identical to that previously considered.

Councillor Humphreys noted that the reasons for refusal last time have been addressed comprehensively in the report, and that the residents have got a win because they've got a less imposing building in front of them.

Other Matters

The committee approved the closure of investigation files, and noted the closed appeals.