Issue - meetings

To note the details of how to raise an item for discussion on planning applications and other planning policies. 

Members noted the procedure for referring items for discussion at the forum, as attached to the agenda. 

To note the details of how to raise an item for discussion on planning applications and other planning policies. 

1.            Planning Applications

Members noted the procedure for referring items for discussion at the forum, as attached to the agenda. 

2.            Edmonton Green Shopping Centre

The planning application for the Edmonton Green Shopping Centre would be discussed at the next meeting.  The applicants had been invited to make a presentation on their proposals. 

To note the details of how to raise an item for discussion on planning applications and other planning policies. 

To consider any applications put forward for discussion. 

1.            Planning Applications

Members noted the procedure for referring items for discussion at the forum, as attached to the agenda.  There were no applications due to be considered at this meeting but the applicants for the Palace Gardens Shopping Centre proposals in Enfield Town would be invited to make a presentation to the next meeting. 

Members also requested a presentation on the proposals for Edmonton Green Shopping Centre.  They argued that they would like to receive a presentation at the earliest opportunity in order to have the chance to shape developments before a planning application was submitted and not to have to wait until after the plans were already at an advanced stage.   

Councillor Chibah agreed to feed this view back to officers. 

To note the details of how to raise an item for discussion on planning applications and other planning policies. 

To consider any applications put forward for discussion. 

1.            Planning Applications

Members noted the procedure for referring items for discussion at the forum, as attached to the agenda. 

2.            100 Church Street

The forum received a presentation from the applicants on the proposals for 100 Church Street.

2.1       Presentation

The following information was highlighted in the presentation:

·         There were significant pressures on land in Enfield to build more housing and it was important to make sensitive, efficient use of sites that were available. To regenerate the High Street, it was necessary to have more people living nearby. 

·         These proposals had been developed collaboratively, taking account of strategic frameworks and with input from planning and conservation officers. 

·         What was proposed would replace the not particularly attractive 1980’s office building, which had a poor relationship with its surroundings and did not add to the character of the area.

·         The site was situated in the middle of a swathe of green running through the middle of a built-up area, from Town Park, along the New River to Chase Green, within the Gentleman’s Row Conservation Area.  It was close to Enfield Town Centre and next to several landmark buildings, including the two grey stone churches. 

·         In London, between 1870 and 1912, there had been significant developments of mansion block type housing, which reflected the style of contemporary houses of the time, including bay windows and detailing on elevations, taken from domestic architecture. These buildings had used space more economically. They were able to hide their density with the use of interior courtyards, well planted green areas, that flowed into the public realm, clear front doors, integrated balconies, and crumbly massing. 

·         The new proposals for the site included two buildings: one of 5 stories another of 7 stories set-back with a roof garden.  There were to be two main entrances, in Church Street and off the New River Path behind so that the building could be seen in the round facing both ways.

·         Pale grey brick work with a white band around the top had been chosen to blend in with the surroundings and compliment the two stone churches nearby.  Traditional red brick had been considered but it had been felt that this would be too overpowering. 

·         The green areas would be managed by the block to ensure that they would merge with surroundings.  Vehicle access would be through the church car park. 

·         Views from neighbouring areas, including Gentleman’s Row, showed that the building would fit unobtrusively into its setting and would be further masked by existing mature trees, even in winter. 

2.2         Questions/Comments

·         Members were pleased that the buildings were not as high as some others recently proposed in the area. 

·         Concern about the environmental impact of flats with two bathrooms.  Members were assured that the proposals conformed to current regulations to ensure water usage was kept as low as possible. 

·         The building was divided up equally between one and two-bedroom flats.  Thirty five percent of these would be classed as affordable.  This was based on the needs of the area. 

·         Concern  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4

To receive for information details of how discussion on planning applications and other planning policies will be held. 

The forum received and noted the new procedure for the referral of major planning applications for discussion at future meetings of the forum.  This had been circulated as a “to follow” to the agenda. 

NOTED

1.            The procedure would be included on all future agendas.

2.            Dennis Stacey reported that he had had a discussion with Christine White and Andy Higham about the future of the former Conservation Advisory Group and how best to maintain the input on planning applications with conservation implications from local conservation groups. He and John West would be meeting with Bridgit Pereira (Conservation Officer) on a monthly basis to discuss these applications.  Larger applications would need a full public airing and he welcomed the new procedure which would enable this.