Minutes:
NOTED
1. Councillor Simon left the room and took no part in the discussion or vote.
2. The applicant had agreed to the dedication of land at the north west corner of the site to provide an enhanced entrance to Town Park, subject to further discussions about the area of land required, and the recommendation to be amended accordingly.
3. The provision of a Travel Plan would also be incorporated within the Section 106 Agreement.
4. Addition of a standard condition in respect of archaeological investigation at the request of English Heritage.
5. Receipt of two further letters of objection, with a verbal summary of the concerns raised.
6. The Planning officer’s confirmation that Conditions 14, 15 and 16 covered hours of use, and noise issues.
7. The deputation of Mr John Rooke, resident of Raleigh Road, including:
a. There had not been adequate local consultation.
b. The footpath to the park was a public right of way and should not be incorporated in the scheme, and the plans were flawed in other ways with houses shown in incorrect locations and other key points not adequately shown.
c. The parking area was still needed, and shoppers preferred such open car parks.
d. The arterial route Cecil Road would be blocked by this proposed use.
e. At three storeys the building would be intrusive and invasive.
f. The proposed decking area would overlook neighbouring residents and cause noise and lighting problems.
g. The development would be to the detriment of a conservation area and historic family houses (with elderly occupants) and a 'Green Flag' park. Other more suitable sites were available.
8. The response of Mr Andrew Whitehead, Enfield Evangelical Free Church representative, including:
a. Cecil Road had been the church's home for 111 years, but members of the church had been meeting in temporary accommodation since their previous building was demolished.
b. The new church would make a positive contribution to the town.
9. The response of Mr Luke Emmerton of DP9, the Agent, including:
a. A town centre location was best for this intensive use; the church would benefit from good transport links and would provide only limited parking space. A CPZ study had been agreed and the church would have a travel plan to limit car use, while a drop off / collection area would be managed.
b. There had been consultation, and comments had been taken on board, especially in relation to landscaping on the eastern boundary. There had been close work with Friends of Town Park to mitigate the impact on the park, and there would be a financial contribution for screening.
c. The church would not have a music licence, there would be no external plant on the building, and all opening windows and doors would be controlled.
10. Confirmation that the Conservation Advisory Group (CAG) was happy with the proposals.
11. The advice of officers in respect of the height of the building relative to nearby houses, landscaping, hours of use conditions and highway matters.
12. Confirmation that Planning officers would set out travel plan requirements, and work further to save street trees, and that the final materials were subject to a condition and CAG would also receive samples.
AGREED that subject to the completion of a S106 Agreement to secure a contribution to off-site landscaping and towards review and amend the hours of the existing Controlled Parking Zone, and the dedication of land at the north west corner of the site to provide an enhanced entrance to Town Park and a requirement for a Travel Plan, planning permission be granted subject to the conditions set out in the report and inclusion of Standard Condition C23 – Details of archaeological investigation, for the reasons set out in the report.