The Planning Applications Committee of Wandsworth Council met on Wednesday 24 February 2016, discussing a range of planning applications and making decisions on several of them. Key decisions included the approval of an application for Formula E racing in Battersea Park, with amendments to conditions regarding helicopter operations and staff parking, and the granting of planning permission for a nursery at The Lodge & Cottage, Dorlcote Road, despite resident objections concerning traffic and safety.

Formula E in Battersea Park

The committee approved the application for the Formula E event in Battersea Park (2015/7363), with several amendments and additional conditions. Concerns were raised about disruption to park users, noise from helicopters, and the restoration of the boules pitch after the 2015 event. Officers presented a revised construction programme to minimise disruption and assured the committee that helicopter noise would be within acceptable tolerances, with assurances from Formula E to limit flight times. An additional condition was added requiring a helicopter operational management plan to be submitted and approved before the event, ensuring movements are kept to a minimum and outside unsociable hours. Conditions were also amended to ensure adequate staff parking and green travel plans, sensitive to park users, in line with Council policy DMT2. The committee also noted that while there is no planning policy requirement to restore the boules area to its former state, any remediation measures submitted by the applicant would be considered. The decision to approve was made by 7 votes to 3, with amendments to the report and the addition of new conditions.

Nursery Use at The Lodge & Cottage, Dorlcote Road

Planning permission was granted for the use of The Lodge & Cottage, Dorlcote Road (2015/4797) as a nursery, despite a significant number of objections. The primary concerns from residents, including Councillor Mrs. Sarah McDermott in her capacity as ward councillor, centred on the principle of using the lodge as a nursery on common land and the potential impact on local traffic. Officers stated that the property had been vacant and fallen into disrepair, and that a nursery use would be acceptable without harming the character of the open space. Transport assessments submitted by both the applicant and residents were verified by the Council, with officers concluding that the additional vehicle movements generated by the nursery would be acceptable. Councillor Piers McCausland and Councillor Maurice Heaster expressed concerns that the site was inadequate for a nursery and that the combination of narrow pathways and fast cyclists would be dangerous for children, leading to a motion to refuse permission, which was lost by 3 votes to 7. The original recommendation to grant permission was subsequently approved by 7 votes to 3, subject to conditions and amendments.

Land Behind 88 Thurleigh Road Application

The committee approved an application for development on Land behind 88 Thurleigh Road (2015/5016) by 8 votes to 0, with 2 abstentions. Councillor Clare Salier, speaking on behalf of local residents, argued against the application, stating it did not meet the Council's refuse policy and that the officers' report was incorrect in referring to the proposed eight houses as mews houses. She also raised concerns about the lack of a valid Section 106 legal agreement. Officers responded by confirming they were satisfied with the proposed refuse arrangements and explained that the reference to mews houses was due to the description in a previous application. They also clarified that the Section 106 agreement was in draft form and that the key objectives were reported to the committee through Heads of Terms.

Enforcement Decision at 24 Bramcote Road

The committee unanimously approved the recommendations regarding an enforcement matter at 24 Bramcote Road (2015/0751/ENF). Councillor Ian Lewer, speaking on behalf of a local resident, argued against the closure of the enforcement decision, stating that while the breach was minor, it would adversely impact the privacy of a neighbour and, if allowed to remain, would increase the invasion of privacy.

Cringle Dock Waste Transfer Station and Battersea Power Station Applications

The committee adopted the recommendations for applications relating to Cringle Dock Waste Transfer Station on Cringle Street and Battersea Power Station on Kirtling Street (2015/6357, 2015/6358 and 2015/6359) by 9 votes to 1, subject to amendments and new conditions. Councillor Tony Belton sought clarification on the amount of affordable housing, with officers confirming 15% would be provided, subject to a review mechanism due to the outline nature of the residential scheme. Concerns were raised that the 15% was not a certainty, which officers attributed to the unique nature of the scheme and unknown development costs. Councillor Maurice Heaster expressed concern about the risk to the Local Authority if the Wandsworth and Richmond Waste Authority (WRWA) made a loss and asked for a minimum percentage of affordable housing to be set. Officers stated this was not possible.

Other Planning Applications

The committee also made decisions on a number of other planning applications:

• 63 Roehampton Lane (2015/4509): Planning permission was granted by 8 votes to 2, subject to conditions and amendments.
• Land at Stewart's Lane Depot, Stewart's Lane (2015/4773): Recommendations were adopted with amendments and the addition of a new condition.
• 39 Bennerley Road (2015/5849): Planning permission was granted by 8 votes to 2, with an additional condition to prevent the roof of the rear extension from being used as a balcony or similar area, to protect neighbour privacy.
• 21 Totterdown Street (2015/5931): Planning permission was granted, subject to conditions and amendments.
• Land at the rear of 968 Garratt Lane (2015/6200): Planning permission was refused on the grounds that the excessive depth of the front lightwell would result in the permanent loss of an area capable of being landscaped, harming the established spatial character of the location and contrary to Council policies.
• 191-195 Balham High Road (2015/6304): Planning permission was granted by 9 votes to 1, subject to conditions and an amendment.
• 21 Roehampton Gate (2015/6353 and 2015/6354): The recommendation was adopted by 9 votes to 0, subject to an additional condition for the reuse of existing bricks for the rebuilding of the front boundary wall. Councillor Jeremy Ambache, Mayor of Wandsworth, declared an interest in this application as ward councillor and took no part in the discussion or decision.
• Land south of Nine Elms Lane comprising DHL Depot and 1-12 Ponton Road and 51 Nine Elms Lane (2015/7533): Recommendations were adopted with the inclusion of an additional condition.
• Penthouse 81 Riverside One, 22 Hester Road (2015/3994): Recommendations were adopted by 8 votes to 1 with 1 abstention.
• 1 Putney Wharf, Putney High Street (2015/4140): Recommendations were adopted by 7 votes to 3.
• 10 Pascal Street, Lambeth (2015/6298): Recommendations were adopted by 9 votes to 1.
• 54 Montana Road (2015/6666): Recommendations were adopted by 9 votes and 1 abstention.
• 227 Wimbledon Park Road (2015/6821): Recommendations were adopted by 9 votes to 1.
• Garages and Land West of 17 & 19 Sutherland Grove (2015/6836): Recommendations were adopted by 9 votes to 1.

Councillor Will Sweet declared an interest in the application relating to Flat 27, 1 Battersea Square (2015/5016) as he lives in a flat above the development and had made his objections known. He took no part in the discussion or vote on this application.

Tree Preservation Orders

The committee resolved to adopt the recommendations set out in the report for two Tree Preservation Orders:

• TPO 422/2015 - 44 Roseneath Road, SW11 (Balham)
• TPO 423/2015 - Front garden of 8 Akehurst Street, SW15 (Roehampton and Putney Heath)