The Waltham Forest Council Planning Committee scheduled a meeting to discuss several planning applications, including proposed developments in Leytonstone, Chingford, and Walthamstow. The agenda included a review of previous meeting minutes and a discussion of development management, with a focus on specific applications.

Planning Decisions

694 High Road Leytonstone

Two applications concerning 694 High Road Leytonstone were included in the report pack. The first (reference 250029) was for a non-material amendment to a previously granted planning permission (reference 240869) to include the term terrace in the description of the development. The second (reference 242833) sought permission to vary condition 2 of the same planning permission to allow alterations to approved drawings, specifically to add an amenity terrace to Flat 1.

The site is a former NatWest bank in the Leytonstone District Town Centre, adjacent to a Grade II-listed Georgian terrace. The original permission (240869) was for a roof extension to create two flats and retain the ground floor commercial space. Councillor Marie Pye requested that the cases be referred to the Planning Committee due to significant public interest.

The report pack included a summary of objections received during public consultation, including:

• Loss of privacy due to overlooking.
• Visual impact on the character of the area and the adjacent Grade II listed terrace.
• Noise and disturbance from terrace use.
• Safety concerns related to falling objects and unauthorised access.

The report pack also included responses to these objections, with officers stating that the terrace would be enclosed by railings, visual impact was considered acceptable, and noise levels were unlikely to exceed ambient noise.

The Design and Conservation officer considered that the proposed terrace would have no impact on the significance of the adjacent listed buildings.

18A Hickman Avenue, Chingford

The report pack included an application (reference 241692) for the redevelopment of the site at 18A Hickman Avenue, Chingford, to provide a part 6, part 8 storey building comprising 87 self-contained flats. The originally submitted scheme was amended to omit commercial space, increase residential units, revise the internal layout, provide vehicular parking within the building, and revise the parking and servicing strategy.

The site is within the Highams Park District Centre, near a Tesco superstore and the Highams Park Industrial Estate. The existing building is a two-storey office building with a car park.

The report pack noted that the proposal was the subject of a Development Performance Agreement and had been reviewed by the Waltham Forest Design Review Panel. Public consultation was undertaken, and objections were received regarding excessive density, height, impact on local character, loss of privacy, and transport concerns.

The report pack stated that the proposal included 35% affordable housing, an Employment & Skills Plan, and contributions towards construction logistics plan monitoring and walking and cycling improvements. The site would be car-free, with residents not entitled to parking permits unless disabled.

86 Brunner Road, Walthamstow

The report pack included an application (reference 240188) for the demolition of existing structures at 86 Brunner Road and the construction of a part 10 and part 17 storey building comprising 423 student accommodation units and 1,223sqm of commercial space.

The site is in a mixed-use area near the High Street, and is part of Site Allocation 27 in the draft Waltham Forest Local Plan LP2. The site is also located within Blackhorse Lane Creative Enterprise Zone and Blackhorse Road Strategic Location.

The report pack stated that the proposal included 35% affordable student accommodation, an Employment & Training Strategy, and financial contributions towards walking and cycling infrastructure, a carbon offset fund, air quality improvements, and community infrastructure.

The report pack also noted that the High Street Ward Councillors had not responded to the consultation.

Units 7-17, The Antelope, 201 Church Road, E10

The report pack included an application (reference 242260) for the continuation of use of the first and second floors at Units 7-17, The Antelope, 201 Church Road as a ten-room large house in multiple occupation (HMO) and the provision of refuse and recycling storage facilities and bicycle parking provision at external yard area.

The property is an existing part single, part-three storey building originally operating as a public house. The last known use of the pub was estimated to be around June 2014. The public house was nominated on 14 April 2015 and first listed as an Asset of Community Value on 8 June 2015.

The report pack stated that the application was referred to the Planning Committee due to the level of public interest on the application.

The report pack noted that the application was looking to regularise the lawful use of the first and second floors as HMO (Sui Generis) as it had been operating prior to the unlawful self-containment of the units.

Relcon Works, 35 Sutherland Road, Walthamstow

The report pack included an application (reference 243089) for the temporary change of use of Relcon Works, 35 Sutherland Road from industrial/commercial use to residential use as a house in multiple occupation (HMO) by up to 6 occupiers to facilitate property guardianship.

The site is a former industrial plot located on the southern side of Sutherland Road. The building has a ground floor area of 602 sqm and 89 sqm on the first floor, a total of 691 sqm of internal floor space. The site is situated within an area of good Public Transport Access Level (PTAL 3) and benefits from a short walking distance to bus stops and the Blackhorse Road Tube Station.

The report pack stated that the application site is located within Blackhorse Lane Creative Enterprise Zone and Blackhorse Road Strategic Location. The property is not located within a Conservation Area, is not listed, and is not subject to an Article 4 direction.

The report pack noted that the application was for a temporary period of 2 years.