Principle of the Development. In this instance there are three specific matters that go to the principle of development on the site: • 1 - Educational Need The National Planning Policy Framework outlines that the purpose of the planning system is to contribute to the achievement of sustainable development. It emphasises that paragraphs 18 to 219 of the NPPF should be taken as a whole in defining what amounts to sustainable development. Economic, social and environmental considerations form the three dimensions of sustainable development. With regard to the social role of the planning system, this is in supporting strong, vibrant and healthy communities by creating a high quality build environment that reflect the community needs and support its health, social and cultural well being. In order to achieve sustainable development, economic, social and environmental gains should be sought jointly. The National Planning Policy Framework (2012) outlines at paragraph 72 that: “The Government attaches great importance to ensuring that a sufficient choice of school places is available to meet the needs of existing and new communities. Local planning authorities should take a proactive, positive and collaborative approach to meeting this requirement, and to development that will widen choice in education. Local Planning authorities should give great weight to the need to create, expand or alter schools”. Core policy CS1 of the Harrow Core Strategy (2012) states that: “The development or expansion of physical or social infrastructure will be permitted where it is needed to serve existing and proposed development, or required to meet projected future requirements.” Policy 3.18 of The London Plan (2011) seeks to ensure inter alia that development proposals which enhance education and skills provision are supported. Saved UDP policy C7, indicates that there is no objection in principle to the expansion of existing educational facilities, subject to consideration of the need for the new facilities, the accessibility of the site and safe setting down and picking-up points within the site. The educational use of this site is long established. With the exception of the infant block, the existing buildings on the site are time served CLASP buildings which are in a poor state of repair. The existing buildings are poorly configured and this results in a poor layout of the external and internal spaces. Against the backdrop of existing provision, the proposed development will result in a significant improvem...
Principle of the Development. The Harrow Core Strategy sets out the strategic vision for the development of the borough. Part of this strategic vision is the provision of an additional 6,050 homes between 2009 and 2026. The application site is occupied by a former petrol filling station and car sales and repair business. As such, the site is previously developed land which is considered suitable for redevelopment by the National Planning Policy Framework and the Harrow Core Strategy. The principle of the loss of the petrol filling station and the change of use of the land to residential is considered acceptable as the proposal would introduce a more appropriate use to this site in a residential area, and there is a reasonable supply of alternative petrol filling stations in the borough. The proposed redevelopment would provide 10 two-bedroom flats, which represents a residential density of 70 dwellings per hectare. This is within the range recommended in table 3.2 attached to policy 3.4 of The London Plan (2011). The proposal would provide 11 car parking spaces. This is consistent with the guidance in policy 6.13 of The London Plan. This aspect of the proposal is addressed in greater detail in section 5 of this appraisal. The site is considered to be contaminated land, but the level of contamination is not so significant that a residential use is unsuitable for this location. This aspect of the proposal is addressed in greater detail in section 6 of the appraisal. Therefore, on balance, it is considered that, subject to suitable conditions, the principle of the proposed would assist in the delivery of new housing in the borough and is considered acceptable.
Principle of the Development. The Harrow Core Strategy sets out the strategic vision for the development of the borough. Part of this strategic vision is the provision of an additional 6,050 homes between 2009 and 2026. Core Strategy policy CS3 relating to the Harrow on the Hill and Sudbury Hill sub area, envisions the safeguarding of heritage assets in the sub-area while making a contribution to the overall provision of new housing through identified and other opportunity sites. The principle of the provision of additional smaller residential units has been considered acceptable in principle in previous applications and appeal decisions at the site. The current proposal would safeguard the nearby heritage assets and would make a contribution to the provision of additional homes in the sub area. Therefore, on balance, it is considered that, subject to suitable conditions, the proposal would assist in the delivery of new housing in the borough and is considered acceptable in principle subject to the detailed considerations below.
