Agenda item

To consider the report of the Chief Planning Officer setting out 8 applications relating to the Little London regeneration programme. The programme includes 2 Reserved matters applications for residential; development (113 units) at Carlton Gate and mixed use scheme for 7 retail units, one community centre and residential development of 12 units at Oatland Lane; plus 6 Full planning applications involving the refurbishment of dwelling houses and flats, new boundary walls, alley gates and landscaping relating to various neighbourhood areas.

(Report attached)

The Panel received a report and presentation setting out the current position with regards to 8 detailed planning applications which had been submitted as part of the Little London Regeneration Programme. Officers anticipated submission of the formal applications in March 2011 and presented slides containing 3D images, site plans and elevations and concentrated on three main areas relating to:

Carlton Gate – regarded as the gateway to the Little London area, comprising a central open space and green route for pedestrians through to the neighbourhoods to the north. Scheme designed having regard to pedestrians, rather than vehicles, and the 11m level change. The corner block was intended as a sculptural gateway feature with family housing on Carlton Walk and Carlton Carr at 3 storeys along tree lined streets

(Councillor Akhtar resumed his seat in the meeting)

Oatlands areas – containing the community hub with retail units and community centre with a one way loop road proposed around this area and pedestrian access through to the adjacent school site. The proposed apartment block now included elements of render to the elevations in response to comments made by Panel at an earlier presentation

The refurbishment proposals – the existing tower blocks would be re-clad and the setting of the tower blocks would be improved to allow better management and ownership of the grounds around each block. This would produce defensible and defined spaces, allow for landscaping, car parking and allotments for residents. Existing homes and maisonettes would receive new doors and windows and rendered elevations

(Councillor Akhtar withdrew from the meeting for a short period at this point)

Members made the following comments

-  Some Members felt there was insufficient space between dwellings, and that it was not clearly defined to promote a sense of ownership and safety; however some Members felt that gaps could encourage anti social behaviour.

-  Members noted comments that public seating in the open spaces could also generate anti social behaviour

-  fencing could be appropriate around the public open space as a safety measure for children

-  concern that future residents could come to regard the greenspace within the south eastern part of the Carlton Gate site as a permanent feature

-  were keen to ensure that future maintenance of all green spaces within the scheme would be undertaken for the length of the PFI agreement

-  established trees, as opposed to saplings, should be planted to the streets

-  the relationships between the local ALMO and the PFI homes provider required careful management

-  local ward Councillors should receive more details on the schemes

-  need for high standard future proof homes. Members re-called the relative newness of the development to be demolished

-  some Members expressed a preference for pitched roofs to the family housing units

-  whether render or coloured bricks should be introduced to elevations. Render was susceptible to age and vandalism

-  whether the glazing of the retail units could be protected without the use of shutters

RESOLVED – That the position statement and the comments of the Panel be noted