Agenda and minutes

To note any apologies for absence and substitutions.

It was noted that Councillor Seema Kumar had attended the meeting virtually and although she was permitted to ask questions and contribute to the debate, she was not able to vote on any of the applications as she had not attended in person.

To consider any urgent matters that the Chair has agreed should be considered at the meeting.

There were none.

To note any declarations of interest made by members.

Councillor Seema Kumar declared that she had received communications from residents relating to item 7, planning application 220178FUL East Acton Arcade, 93 Old Oak Common Lane, Acton, W3 7DJ, but did not deem these communications to prejudice her.

To determine whether items contain information that is exempt from disclosure by virtue of Part1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

There were none.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 22 June 2022 and 20 July 2022.

The committee considered the minutes of the meetings on 22 June 2022 and 20 July 2022.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meetings on 22 June 2022 and 20 July 2022 were agreed as a true and accurate record of proceedings.

To share site visit details and note site visit attendance.

The following Councillors had attended site visits prior to the committee meeting:

Councillors T Mahmood (Vice-Chair), P Anand, M Hamidi, M Iqbal, S Kohli, S Kumar, D Martin and S Padda.

Before passing to the planning officer to introduce the item, the Chair noted that the committee had been provided with commercial arrangements between the applicant and leaseholders at the existing site prior to the meeting. The committee were reminded that any monies offered or extensions to continue occupation of the site was a Property Law matter and was not to be considered at the meeting for the purpose of making a decision.

Emma Bunting, Planning Officer, introduced the report and explained that the application before the committee was for the demolition of the existing building at 93 Old Oak Common Lane, with the construction of a multi-storey hotel in its place. The proposed building was to be five-storeys from ground level with a two-storey basement. It was going to deliver 129 guest rooms with ancillary ground floor hotel lobby and shared café, restaurant and workspaces.

The site was to the west of Old Oak Common Lane, bound to the north, south and west by neighbouring developments. The site was not in conservation area, and was not deemed to impact the conservation areas to the eastern side of Old Oak Common Lane, the Old Oak and Wormholt Conservation Area of the London Borough Of Hammersmith and Fulham.

It was explained that the site currently contained shops on the ground floor, including an optician and a butcher, whilst a snooker hall was operating on the first floor. A snooker and pool needs assessment had been completed, and officers considered that it demonstrated that there was adequate supply in the local and sub-regional area for snooker and pool facilities. It was considered that these facilities could absorb the increased demand which would result from the closure of the hall. It was noted that the snooker hall was classified as a class E use, which was not protected by the Council’s policies. It had to carry little weight in the planning officer’s assessment.

Ms Bunting noted that there had been 85 objectors to the proposal and many related to the loss of the snooker hall. Other objections related to the proposal’s impact on the character and appearance of the area and the harm to neighbouring amenities. The committee was informed that officers considered that the points raised in objection to the proposal did not outweigh the recommendation for approval, given the public benefits of the scheme, which included redevelopment of the site, additional expenditure in the local economy and the creation of construction and long-term jobs. Planning officers therefore recommended to the committee that it grant planning permission subject to conditions and a Section 106 legal agreement.

A briefing note in respect of the application had been produced by Planning Officers, circulated to the Committee and published on the Council’s website prior to the meeting. It had provided information on amendments to the committee report’s recommendation, and amendments to the conditions proposed. Additional representations, comments and objections had been received since the agenda for the committee had been published, and these were noted  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 21 September 2022.

The date of the next meeting was Wednesday 21 September 2022.