The meeting saw planning permission granted for a residential development, a change of use from residential to commercial, and the construction of a crematorium. An application for a residential development was also approved.

Chingford Kennels, 158 Chingford Mount Road

The committee granted planning permission for the demolition of existing buildings and the construction of 40 new homes at 158 Chingford Mount Road. The development at the site of Chingford Kennels will include 4 residential blocks ranging from 2 to 4 storeys, 12 parking spaces, cycle parking, landscaping, and associated works.

The applicant will be required to enter a Section 106 Agreement to secure 5 shared ownership homes (12.5% by unit) on the site and pay £19,611 toward the Council's Carbon Offset Fund to address the shortfall in carbon emission reductions.

The plans previously submitted for the site, under application reference 221855, were refused in January 2023 as the proposal did not adequately consider the urban form of the surrounding area. In particular, it created a development that had a relationship with the north of the site, which is separated by Genever Close, rather than the south of the site where there is a closer relationship with existing properties.

The current proposal was considered an improvement over the previous scheme as the buildings have been designed to step down toward the southern boundary of the site, creating a more cohesive relationship with the existing properties on Finch Gardens and Acorn Close.

The site is located within a Public Transport Accessibility Level (PTAL) 3 area¹. The Council's Transport Policy team made representations requesting an increase in the number of blue badge parking bays to be provided and a financial contribution to be paid towards active travel. As a result, the applicant agreed to provide two blue badge bays with one additional passive provision and pay £20,000 toward improving walking and cycling infrastructure.

Objections were received from local residents raising concerns over the loss of the existing kennels, the impact the development would have on local wildlife, and the potential parking stress the development would cause. The scheme will achieve a Biodiversity Net Gain² of over 10% and includes several habitat boxes for nesting birds and bats. To address parking stress concerns, the applicant agreed to make the development car-free, which means no parking permits would be provided to future residents should a Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) be implemented in the future.

Hatherley Mews, Walthamstow

The committee granted planning permission for the change of use of 11 units at Hatherley Mews from residential (Use Class C3)³ to commercial (Use Class E)⁴.

The application, submitted by Waltham Forest Council, also seeks permission for internal remodelling works, external fenestration changes, the installation of shopfronts, and the installation of solar panels. The approved plans can be seen in this document 4.2-241838 - Hatherley Mews Walthamstow London E17 4QP - FINAL.

The existing Victorian industrial buildings were built around 1880 as stables and repair workshops for London's trams. The Council's ambition is to transform Hatherley Mews into a thriving business space for creative/ cultural workspaces supported by leisure and hospitality spaces, to complement the adjacent [Soho Theatre](https://sohotheatre.com/)[^6].

As part of the proposals, the applicant will be required to pay £27,979 to the Carbon Offset Fund to offset carbon emissions.

An objection was received from a resident on Cleveland Park Avenue complaining about noise and light pollution from Unit 11 Hatherley Mews. However, this unit is not included in the application, and so the complaint is not a material planning consideration⁵ in the determination of this application.

The Council's Design Team requested further information on several design elements of the proposals, including the external paint colours to be used, the window specification, shopfront and internal shutter specifications, and a fascia style guide. A condition was attached to the decision notice requiring the submission and approval of these details prior to the commencement of development.

The applicant also stated in their submission that a site waste management plan would follow once recommendations [were] received. This omission was addressed by a condition requiring the submission and approval of a Detailed Management Plan prior to occupation. This document must include details of a delivery & servicing plan, including a waste management strategy, as well as the proposed measure(s) that any business generating noise audible beyond the boundary should undertake prior to operating, taking into consideration the Agent of Change principle⁶.

22 Sutherland Road, Walthamstow

The committee granted planning permission for the demolition of an existing two-storey building and the construction of a four-storey building with 14 self-contained flats at 22 Sutherland Road.

The applicant will be required to enter a Section 106 Agreement to secure a financial contribution of £500,000 toward off-site affordable housing provision.

The development will be car-free, and so a clause will be added to the Section 106 Agreement to prevent future residents from being entitled to parking permits.

Objections were received from local residents raising concerns about the loss of the existing adult day learning centre, increased parking stress, and the impact the development would have on trees on the site.

The existing building at 22 Sutherland Road is currently leased to Acorn Day Opportunities Ltd. The applicant provided evidence that they had been in prolonged discussions with Acorn Day Opportunities for nearly three years to accommodate them within the neighbouring Sutherland House, which they also own, but to no avail. The applicant also stated that space was currently available, or would become available in the near future, at Sutherland House which Acorn Day Opportunities could take up if required.

Two semi-mature sycamore trees on the site will be felled to facilitate the development. This is considered acceptable as these trees are beginning to cause an obstruction. They will be replaced with three new trees planted in the rear external amenity space where they will have more space to develop and mature.

7 Burghley Road, Leytonstone

The committee granted planning permission for the construction of a single storey rear infill extension and the installation of external wall insulation at 7 Burghley Road.

The application is a revised version of the plans previously submitted under application reference 233078, which were approved by the committee in April 2024. The approved plans can be seen in this document 4.4-242482-7 Burghley Road Leytonstone E11 - FINAL.

No objections were received from neighbours.

Chingford Mount Cemetery, 121 Old Church Road, Chingford

The committee granted planning permission for the construction of a single-storey crematorium at Chingford Mount Cemetery.

The proposal, submitted by Waltham Forest Council, will see a new crematorium built in the central area of the cemetery. The plans also include new ancillary service areas, parking spaces (including 5 for disabled users), cycle parking spaces, electric vehicle charging points, landscaping, a new memorial garden, and associated public realm works.

The existing entrance gates to the cemetery, which are locally listed, will be retained.

Several objections to the proposals were received from residents of neighbouring properties on Alpha Road, Chingford Avenue and Old Church Road. These concerns included: an increase in traffic congestion and pollution, inadequate parking provision for the new crematorium, the potential for noise pollution from the cremators and an increase in mourners using the site, and a detrimental impact on the character and appearance of the area.

The applicant provided evidence that the existing crematoria in North London cannot sufficiently meet the unserved needs of cremation service of the Borough and that the new facility would cater the unserved need for cremation within the Borough and greatly reduce the travel times of the cremation. The proposed parking spaces and access arrangements for hearses were also considered acceptable by the Council's Highways Team.

The Council's Environmental Health Team reviewed the proposals and confirmed that the predicted noise and air pollution levels from the site would not be detrimental to the amenity of the surrounding area.

A condition has been added to the planning consent requiring the applicant to engage with residents of neighbouring properties to review and enhance the existing boundaries to enhance neighbouring privacy prior to the crematorium's operation.

Public Transport Accessibility Level (PTAL) ratings are a measure of how well connected a site is to the public transport network, based on the number of services, their frequency, and how close they are to the site.