Forum Topic

IMPORTANT - New development affecting Summerlands Ave and Horn Lane residents

The dental surgery on 63 summerlands avenue are applying (again) for a new development. The  plan is to enlarge and rebuild the dental block on the ground floor. However, the landlords  have proposed a 4 storey development which includes 3 flats in three new floors above the dental block. They've also specified a further flat on the Summerlands Ave next to 61, in the space that constitutes the dental reception and waiting room. This makes 5 flats in total, 4 two bedroom flats and 1 one bedroom flats. Although the plans are for less flats than last year, this will still severely impact Summerlands. And the surroundings.Having had several large developments in the area already I hoped you may also have strong feelings on the matter. Those of us who opposed the 62 Horn Lane development will see some striking similarities with this application: a four storey development, gross over-development of the plot and complete disregard for the surrounding area. One point which residents of Summerlands Ave should be particularly concerned about is that, due to the considerable increase in the building's footprint, they have made no provision for parking for either the new dental surgeries (for staff or patients) or any of the new flats. Instead they've specified a bike rack with space for seven bikes, one for each flat. This risks adding huge pressure on the parking in the surrounding area, particularly to an already congested Summerlands Ave.Another similarity to the 62 Horn Lane development is that they have specified no garden or amenity space for the proposed flats and, as with the developers of 62 Horn Lane, have specified the nearby Springfield Gardens as being more than sufficient.Due to our proximity to the development, we have several objections and are preparing a case through our surveyors and solicitors. Points on which we'll be objecting include:- the scale and density of the development- the fact that they're extending the footprint of the dental block considerably- Overlooking- impact on light to our south-facing windows and roof terrace- lack of parking provision- lack of garden/amenity space- out of character with Summerlands Avenue The council are rushing this through as they did for the Horn Lane development. The consultation period closes on the 10th of March. So if any of the above concerns you, please submit your objections as soon as possible:Object here: http://www.pam.ealing.gov.uk/portal/servlets/PlanningComments?REFNO=PP/2014/0152Please be sure to select the "Inform the Authority that you object to the Planning Application" radio button.Planning Application here: http://www.pam.ealing.gov.uk/PlanNet/search.asp?authentication=12345&id=PLN165420&StartingRecord=11Reference number: PP/2014/0152Consultation Close Date: 10/03/2014

Julia papin ● 4583d1 Comments

JuliaPosted my objection (copied below). I represented residents in the objections to the development at 62 Horn Lane, which was narrowly passed by the planning committee - one of their worst decisions and which now is being used as a precedent for other similarly large developments. You must get on to the councillors and press for the application to be taken to plannning committee if officers recommend approval; this is not a perfect forum but it's better than leaving it to planning officers to decide.Planning application PP/2014/0152: dental surgery, 59-63 Summerlands Avenue - objectionI wish to object to the above application on the following grounds.In considering the previous development application for this site, the Planning Inspector considered that the proposal would be significantly detrimental to the living conditions of the occupiers of existing neighbouring dwellings at no’s 57 and 59 Summerlands Avenue by way of its harmful impact on privacy and outlook. The current proposal does not improve upon the proposals previously submitted.The Planning Inspector considered the previous proposals “would be harmful to the character of the area around Summerlands Avenue. On this basis it would conflict with saved policies 4.1 and 5.5 of the London Borough of Ealing Unitary Development Plan: “New Plan for the Environment” (UDP), which deal with the design of development, including the requirement for use of an appropriate scale and a residential design which relates well to its setting.” The current proposal has exactly the same failings as the previous one.The Council has provided pre application advice to the applicant (dated 19 August 2013), which identified a number of flaws with the proposals, namely:• “There no soft landscaping proposed as part of the development.”• “The Inspector considered that the excessive scale of the development would beharmful to the character of the area around Summerlands Avenue. The pre application proposal has only slightly reduced the shell of the building, deleting the three storey element on the western side of the site.”• “There is no justification for the proposed height, bulk and massing. The massing at the back of the building needs to be reduced to be consistent with the urban grain of the area in regard to building depths and plot coverage.”• “Table 3.3 in the London Plan details minimum space standards for new development. Breakdowns for the size of each individual flat have not been provided, but it appears that some of the flats would fall below the minimum space standards, due to the removal of the three storey element. All units are required to at least meet these minimum standards. Unit sizes (as well individual room sizes) should be included as part of any application.”The application has not addressed any of these points in a substantive manner and the application should therefore be refused. Given the Planning Inspector’s dismissal of the last planning appeal and the strength of pre planning advice on this matter, any officer recommendation to approve this application should be considered by the Planning Committee.

Vlod Barchuk ● 4572d