Issue - meetings

The Development Management Manager delivered his report and reminded the committee that there were some late updates that had been provided and had been published online. 

The Chair thanked the Development Management Manager and invited Mr Stephen Harrington, Director of Regal Clarendon to address the committee.

Mr Harrington briefly described the proposed changes to the application and added that demolition had started the day before.  He went on to describe the positive benefits of the scheme:

·        The immediate generation of 380 full time jobs.

·        1200 jobs once the scheme completed.

·        The generation of £87 million per annum for the local economy.

·        The sustainable nature of the development.

·        Improved well-being of people returning to office accommodation. 

Mr Harrington went on to explain the real estate academy that was set up by his company.  This offered support to military veterans and local people with 120 completing a five week course to assist them with securing skills and jobs. 

The Chair thanked Mr Harrington for his presentation and reminded the committee that this scheme had already obtained planning permission, so this application was only for minor changes and enhancements.  Many of these changes had been made in the light of the Grenfell disaster.  He then handed the matter to the committee for debate. 

Members were in general approval of the proposed changes and they commended Mr Harrington for the innovative idea of a skills academy. 

The Chair moved to approve the officer’s recommendation that, pursuant to a Deed of Variation under s.106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 having been completed to secure the following Heads of Terms, planning permission be granted subject to the conditions listed below (and including the updates):

RESOLVED –

To accept the officer’s recommendation to approve the application that, pursuant to a Deed of Variation under s.106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 having been completed to secure the following Heads of Terms, planning permission be granted subject to the conditions listed below (and including the updates):

Deed of Variation Heads of Terms

i)                    To secure a total financial contribution of £2,008,241 in lieu of on-site affordable housing. (i.e. uplift from £1,650,000 to £1, 858,241 allowing for indexation, plus an uplift of £150,000)

ii)                  To secure a financial payment to the Council of £2,000 towards the variation of the Borough of Watford (Watford Central Area and West Watford Area)(Controlled Parking Zones)(Consolidation) Order 2010 to exclude the site from the controlled parking zone, thereby preventing residents’ parking permits being issued to this site.

Conditions

1.      The development to which this permission relates shall be begun within a period of three years commencing on the date of this permission.

2.      The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved drawings (as updated):

1152-PL-AA90 SITE LOCATION PLAN

1152-PL-AA00 - GROUND FLOOR PLAN

1152-PL-AA01 - 1ST FLOOR PLAN

1152-PL-AA02 - 2ND FLOOR PLAN

1152-PL-AA03 - 3RD FLOOR RESIDENTIAL

1152-PL-AA04 - 4TH FLOOR RESIDENTIAL 3RD FLOOR OFFICE

1152-PL-AA05 - 5TH FLOOR RESIDENTIAL 4TH FLOOR  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21