Controversial Winchmore Hill development set for approval

Officers have recommended the scheme be approved despite 62 people submitting objections last year, reports Joe Ives, Local Democracy Reporter

Concept image of seven-bed mansion near Grovelands Park (credit DaK Universal Architects) — Concept image of the seven-bed mansion near Grovelands Park (credit DaK Universal Architects)

Plans to build a mansion near Grovelands Park have been recommended for approval after officers claimed scores of local objections had been “satisfactorily addressed”.

Officers recommended the civic centre’s planning committee approve the Winchmore Hill development on vacant land when they meet next Tuesday (13th).

The project would see the construction of a two-storey, seven-bed detached house built to the rear of two properties in Seaforth Gardens and Broad Walk, on a piece of land most recently used as a tennis court but which has since grown over.

It would also include a new swimming pool, gym and garage.

The controversial proposal had been set to go before the local authority’s planning committee on 14th July, following a request for it to be decided at committee by Winchmore Hill ward councillor Maria Alexandrou.

Cllr Alexandrou, who also serves as the Conservative administration’s cabinet member for environment, made the request due to the level of “local interest” in the proposals.

In the end, the plans weren’t discussed at July’s meeting. Instead, it was decided that, “given the site’s proximity to Grovelands Park”, a Grade-2 park and gardens, the application should be deferred to allow The Gardens Trust time to give their view of proposals.

The trust, which describes itself as “the only UK national charity dedicated to protecting and conserving our heritage of designed landscapes” has since confirmed that it does not wish to comment on the application.

The council says its planning officers are now “satisfied that the proposal would preserve the significance and setting of this designated heritage asset and would not result in heritage harm”.

Public consultation responses sent to the council in November and December last year produced 62 objections to the plans. Worries ranged from concerns about overdevelopment of the area through to pollution and loss of light.

However, in their latest report, planning officers say that key areas of concern have now been these been “carefully assessed and are considered to be satisfactorily addressed through the scheme design, amendments to the scheme and recommended planning conditions”.

They add that issues “such as perceived devaluation of properties in the area” and certain “restrictive covenants” on submitting comments to the council “are not material planning considerations”.

The council’s officers also argue that the mansion “would not result in unacceptable harm to neighbouring amenity”.

They attribute this view to the “generous separation distances” proposed. This space, they say, will ensure “no significant impacts in terms of overlooking, loss of light, or sense of enclosure”.

Their report also claims the luxury home “would provide a high standard of accommodation, significantly exceeding national space standards and providing extensive private amenity space”.

The proposals have been amended in response to “initial concerns” including access arrangements for emergency vehicles.

The local authority’s officers now say the proposals have “overcome” previous concerns and that the property’s updated, “contemporary” design is in-keeping with “the site’s backland location and surrounding context”.

They also believe the seven-bed house would “make a positive contribution towards the borough’s housing supply at a time when the council cannot demonstrate a five-year housing land supply”.

Further information can be found on the council’s planning portal using reference 25/03706/FUL.

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