Cllr Sandra Dunn supports local residents in bid to get good quality design for the Police College site
Local Councillor Sandra Dunn was unable to attend the Planning Committee on 19th September but the following statement was read out to members by the Chairman on her behalf.
Firstly, I would like to thank the Chairman for the opportunity to have this statement read out at tonight's Planning Meeting when the current planning application made by Linden Homes in respect of the Metropolitan Police Training Centre is being considered.
I have read carefully the report that the Planning Department have issued, in connection with this development, and the following observations are the items that I consider should be debated in order to make an informed decision on this application.
The latest Planning Application has been designed in total co-operation between the Developer and the local residents and is a fine example of how the recently adopted Localism Bill is meant to work. The previous application was rejected because it was overbearing and would have seriously impacted on the lives of the local residents to the site but the one that is being considered tonight has resolved many of the issues with regard to density etc. although any development will inevitably mean change to those living close by. I have received emails and letters both supporting the application and rejecting it so even the local community are divided in their perception of what is a suitable replacement for the derelict building which currently occupies the site. In writing this statement I have remained impartial during the process, but will indicate at the end my conclusion as we know the site has to be developed and finding the best design and appropriate scheme is always going to be a compromise.
This site borders on to a Conservation area and therefore has to comply with Policy EN6 which preserves and enhances the area. It also has to comply with Policy EN1 which promotes good design and Policy ENF(f) because of its close proximity to Listed Buildings which surround the site. As far as Policy EN1 is concerned, which deals with the design of the new development the Architect that Linden Homes has employed has sympathetically tried to design a scheme to use the site to its best advantage for both his employer and the wider community.
Moving on from design to Policy HO5, which deals with density, this site is at the lower range of 34.5 dph which under our policy is the best possible outcome and is achieved at the expense of affordable housing. Therefore the crux of the problem that this site has to overcome is the affordable housing element which is totally absent and by the Developers own omission cannot be achieved when considering the viability of the site along with the opinions of the local residents. I will not dwell too much of this as my colleague, Caroline Nichols, will be speaking on this subject and will cover how this element could be overcome if the Planning Committee have a mind to think of Spelthorne's housing needs on a wider basis and not just on an individual scheme.
In the Planning Report the County Highways Authority have concluded that the re-siting of the entrance in Thames Street is acceptable and this has been welcomed by residents as in the previous Planning Application it was perceived to cause extra congestion to an already busy area. Policy CC3 concerning parking provision is also exceeded giving 13 unallocated spaces for visitor parking which will greatly assist the local residents who feared an overspill of cars into Green Street which already suffers from a parking problem with cars spilling from Stile Path.
Finally, the Planning Officer notes, in the later part of the report (6.62,) that Policy HO4 and the Supplementary Planning Document give us the opportunity to reflect on the needs of the local community. With this in mind we should take into account the fact that 700+ people have signed a petition showing support for this development. It is true that no affordable housing is offered on this scheme but as with The Avenue scheme, in Lower Sunbury, if a financial contribution could be found by Linden Homes and this used to offset this deficit then the Committee should give serious weight to this concept.
As I am not able to be present at the meeting tonight and without the opportunity of listening to the debate I am going to have to base my conclusion on the facts as they have been presented in the report and by applying the spirit of the Localism Bill to this scheme. I have also concluded that if this application is rejected then Linden Homes will go ahead with their appeal on the previous planning application. It will then be up to the Planning Inspectorate to decide the outcome and if they should decide to appeal the decision then the quality of life, due to the high density, lack of parking, road congestion and air quality will affect residents in this part of Lower Sunbury.
I would therefore urge members of the Planning Committee to carefully consider the bigger picture, when making their decision, and come to the conclusion that not all sites are suitable for affordable housing. I recognise this is not compliant with some of our policies, but neither was London Irish. Nor are many of the sites we approve which have all been to the benefit of the Developer. Is it not time, on a landmark site like this, and given the strength of public opinion that just for once we suspend our policies in favour of residents?
Cllr Sandra Dunn
Halliford and Sunbury West Ward