Phase 1 landscaping at The Transport Yard, Northolt

What was proposed

The application sought approval for Phase 1 hard landscaping at the access road and soft landscaping beside it.

“This report presents Reserved Matters application for consideration by the Planning Committee, relating solely to Phase 1 of the wider outline approval for redevelopment of The Transport Yard. The only matters for approval under this application are:”

“Hard landscaping works associated with formation of the access road; and • Soft landscaping works adjacent to the access road.”

Officer report

The site and its surroundings

The site is a former transport yard beside railway land, open space and mainly two- and three-storey homes.

“Site Description 3.1 The subject site is a 0.59-hectare former transport yard situated on the eastern side of Wood End Gardens. The site is bound by the following: Piccadilly Line railway corridor to the north; Ealing Northern Sports ground (Metropolitan Open Land) to the east; predominantly two-storey residential properties to the west and south; and a block of flats at Ross Close to the northwest.”

“The site is on the northern edge of the borough and adjoins the London Borough of Harrow to the north. Immediately to the south-east is Ealing Northern Sports Ground (operated by David Lloyd Leisure), a large expanse of green open space and associated built sport facilities which is designated as Metropolitan Open Land (MOL). The north-east, west and south sides of the site are bounded by low density, 2 and 3 storey, terraced and semi-detached residential developments.”

Officer report

Earlier permissions and phases

An outline permission approved 149 homes, later divided into three phases, with Phase 1 covering the access road.

“Since this application a Section 73 application 244038VAR was submitted to amend planning conditions on the original outline permission and to create three phases of the development.”

“Phase 1 – access road Phase 2 – construction of Block A comprising 24 affordable housing units…”

Officer report

The landscaping and access

The works would widen and resurface the access, improve pedestrian routes, and add a tree, hedgerow and planting maintenance measures.

“Widening of the existing bellmouth access on Wood End Gardens • Removal of existing steel bollards • Repositioning of tactile paving • Resurfacing of access road • New tarmac footway with concrete kerbs…”

“The soft landscaping works include the provision of: • Planting of one Carpinus Betulus (Hornbeam) tree (west side of access) • New mixed-species hedgerow and Berberis planting (east side) • Mulch and weed‑suppressing membrane around planting areas…”

Officer report

Consultation and public comments

No public comments were received, while the landscape officer raised no objection after revised plans and other consultees made no comments.

“Consultee Comments Landscape and tree officers The landscape officer initially requested additional detail. Following submission of revised plans, the confirmed they have no objection.”

“Education No comments received Pollution technical No comments received Energy officer No comments received Flood risk officer No comments received Environmental services No comments received Housing development No comments received Transport services No comments received Active Ealing No comments received Waste and street services No comments received CCTV No comments received Regeneration No comments received Building control No comments received Highway services No…”

Officer report

Who spoke

The development management team manager presented the application, and there were no other speakers.

Committee questions and debate

Members asked no questions and held no debate before voting on the application.

“The Chair invited questions from the committee. There were none.”

“The Chair invited the committee to debate the proposal. There were none.”

Minutes

The vote

The committee voted unanimously to approve the application.

“The committee proceeded to vote on the application.”

“That the reasons set out in the committee report and Briefing Note, planning permission for application REF 250448REM be APPROVED.”

Minutes

The final decision

Planning permission was approved because the works were minor, functional, policy-compliant and acceptable, with conditions securing implementation and planting replacement.

“This Reserved Matters application relates exclusively to the Phase 1 landscaping required to facilitate commencement of the wider consented development. The proposed hard and soft landscaping proposed are minor, functional, policy-compliant, and acceptable in design and environmental terms. The management plan secures the long-term maintenance and landscape quality it is also expected later applications for others would follow the same rationale.”

“Approval is therefore recommended, subject to the conditions in Appendix 1.”

Officer report