Two separate houses at 40 Midland Terrace, London NW2

What was proposed

The application proposed blocking the internal link between Nos 40 and 41 to recreate two separate houses.

“Proposal: Proposed blocking of internal link between No 40 and No 41 to revert to 2no separate houses…”

“Proposed blocking of internal link between Nos 40 and 41 to revert to 2no separate houses…”

Officer report

The site

The property is a mid-terrace single dwelling formed from two historically integrated cottages in a conservation area and locally listed.

“The subject property is a mid-terrace single dwelling house, located across the former Nos 40 and 41 Midland Terrace, London, NW2 6QH within the Cricklewood ward. The two properties have been historically integrated to form one 3/4-bed dwelling. It is located in the Cricklewood Railway Cottages Conservation Area and is locally listed. The front faces onto communal gardens and the rear area and yard faces onto the street frontage. The site does not contain any TPOs.”

Officer report

Officers’ recommendation

Officers recommended refusal because the subdivision would replace an existing family-sized home with two two-bedroom dwellings.

“Part B - Provision of a Family-Sized Home The subdivision would result in the loss of an existing 3+bed unit and the formation of two 2-bed dwellings and therefore fails to comply with Part B.”

“The proposed sub-division of the property into two separate dwellings fails to re-provide a family-sized dwelling and as such, does not comply with Policy HOU03 of the Local Plan and the strategic aim to prioritise delivery of family homes from the existing housing stock.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The planning officer presented the application, the ward councillor spoke in support, and the applicant addressed the Committee in support.

Members’ decision reasons

Members agreed that restoring the original configuration would benefit the conservation area more than the harm caused by losing a three-bedroom dwelling.

“The Committee then had the opportunity to ask questions of the officers…”

“Councillor Shimon Ryde proposed a motion to approve the application due to the committee members agreeing that the value to the designated heritage asset (the Cricklewood Railway Cottages Conservation Area) of restoring the property to its original configuration would outweigh the harm from the loss of a three bedroom dwelling. Councillor Phil Cohen seconded the motion. The votes were as follows:”

Minutes

The decision

The application was approved subject to the conditions in the report.

“RESOLVED for the application to be approved subject to conditions in the report.”

Minutes