Twyford Abbey, Park Royal in the London Borough of Ealing Planning Application No
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planning report PDU/0230b/01 15 August 2012 Twyford Abbey, Park Royal in the London Borough of Ealing planning application no. P/2012/2620 Strategic planning application stage 1 referral (new powers) Town & Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended); Greater London Authority Acts 1999 and 2007; Town & Country Planning (Mayor of London) Order 2008 The proposal Partial demolition of grade II listed building of Twyford Abbey (existing post war extensions detached ancillary structure) Repair, refurbishment and conversion of grade II listed building of Twyford Abbey and redevelopment of the Abbey grounds to provide 92 residential units comprising 25 within Twyford Abbey and 66 new build ranging in height between two and four storeys to provide houses and flats; and refurbishment and use of gatehouse to provide 1 dwelling; repair and refurbishment of grade II walled garden; Repair and refurbishment of former dairy for community use; and associated landscaping/boundary treatment including pedestrian/cycle access from North Circular, car parking, provision of allotment and area of public open space. The applicant The applicant is Twyford Abbey Properties Ltd and the architect is PRP Architects. Strategic issues The principle of the restoration and re use of the Abbey is accepted; however further information is needed before enabling development on Metropolitan Open Land can be accepted. Further information is also required with regards to affordable housing, housing mix, residential quality, density, childs play space, urban design, inclusive access, air quality and transport. Recommendation That Ealing Council, be advised that the application does not comply with the London Plan, for the reasons set out in paragraph 130 of this report; but that the possible remedies set out in paragraph 132 of this report could address these deficiencies. The application does not need to be referred back to the Mayor if the Council resolves to refuse permission, but it must be referred back if the Council resolves to grant permission. Context 1 On 9 July 2012 the Mayor of London received documents from Ealing Council notifying him of a planning application of potential strategic importance to develop the above site for the above uses. Under the provisions of The Town & Country Planning (Mayor of London) Order 2008 page 1 the Mayor has until 17 August 2012 to provide the Council with a statement setting out whether he considers that the application complies with the London Plan, and his reasons for taking that view. The Mayor may also provide other comments. This report sets out information for the Mayor’s use in deciding what decision to make. 2 The application is referable under Category 3D of the Schedule to the Order 2008:”Developemnt – (a)on land allocated as Green Belt or Metropolitan Open Land in the development plan, in proposals for such a plan, or in proposals for the alteration or replacement of such a plan and (b) which would involved the construction of a building with a floorspace of more than 1,000 square metres or a material change in the use of such a building” 3 Once Ealing Council has resolved to determine the application, it is required to refer it back to the Mayor for his decision, as to whether to direct refusal or allow the Council to determine it itself, unless otherwise advised. In this instance if the Council resolves to refuse permission it need not refer the application back to the Mayor. 4 The Mayor of London’s statement on this case will be made available on the GLA website www.london.gov.uk. Site description 5 The 5.4 hectare site is bounded by the North Circular to the north, Twyford Abbey Road and West Twyford Primary School to the south, by residential properties along Iveagh Avenue to the east and residential properties along Brentmead Gardens to the west. 6 The Abbey is centrally placed within the site with landscaped gardens to the west, a landscaped former pasture area to the south, a listed walled garden to the north and an overgrown meadow is located in the north-eastern portion of the site. The main vehicular and pedestrian entrance to the site is from Twyford Abbey Road through a gated access with a lodge. There is a second entrance to the east also off Twyford Abbey Road, adjacent to the primary school. 7 The site is bounded by the A406 North Circular Road, part of the Transport for London Road Network (TLRN), to the north, Iveagh Avenue to the west, Twyford Abbey to the south and finally Brentmead Gardens to the west. The nearest Strategic Road Network (SRN) is the A404 Harrow Road, located 1.4km to the north east of the site. 8 The nearest bus stops is the southbound stop, serving the 112 onwards towards Brent Cross and Ealing Broadway, are located on the A406 North Circular Road immediately adjacent the site. The northbound stop, serving the 112 is located approximately 400m and an 8 minute walk away to the west of the site. 9 Bus service 226, operating between Ealing Broadway and Golders Green can be accessed from Bodiam Way with stops located approximately 360m to the south of the site. In addition, bus service 224, providing access to Wembley and Willesden Junction is available from stops located on Twyford Abbey, approximately 500m from the proposed development. 10 As stated earlier in this report, London Underground stations; Hanger Lane (Central), Park Royal (Piccadilly) and Stonebridge Park (Bakerloo and Rail) are located between 1,050m and 1,500m away from the site, equivalent to approximately a 13 to 18 minute walk from the centre of the site. Neither of these stations are captured within the Public Transport Accessibility Level (PTAL) assessment as such, the site has been estimated to have a PTAL of two, on a scale of one to six, where six is most accessible. page 2 11 In terms of strategic policy, the site is designated as Metropolitan Open Land and is also located in the Park Royal Opportunity Area Planning Framework. The gardens of Twyford Abbey form part of the opportunity area’s strategic network of open spaces and strategic connections. 12 The Council’s identifies the site as being an area of Nature Conservation Area and Heritage Land. 13 The surrounding character is a varied mix of significant post war development. To the south of the site is the first phase of the First Central masterplan development comprising three storey houses and apartment blocks with 4 storey frontage onto Twyford Abbey Road. 14 Residential areas to the east and west along Iveagh Avenue and Brentmead Gardens respectively, are predominantly 2 storey semi-detached houses dating from the inter war period. In the wider area, further east are industrial uses, two, nine storey hotels and office buildings presenting a significant landmark along this stretch of the North Circular. 15 To the west along Brentmead Gardens is St Mary’s Church, West Twyford, which is a modern brick built extension to the original church. The church to the east of the extension still maintains its historical relationship to the medieval manor house Description of Listing Building 16 The vacant Abbey and its walled garden are statutory listed grade II and the Abbey itself is on English Heritage’s Register of Buildings at Risk; in terms of condition the building is graded as ‘very bad’ and in terms of priority it is graded category C (defined as “Slow decay; no solution agreed”). 17 The existing building on the site dates back to 1807-1809; the original two storey dwelling (south west part) built on the site of a former medieval manor house was designed by William Atkinson as an early 19th century Gothic revival building. In the mid- 19th century the dwelling was extended to the north and east. The Abbey was occupied as a single family house until the beginning of the 20th century when the house was converted into a home for the infirm. The building was considerably extended in 1904-5 by the provision of the northern western wing reflecting the Gothic appearance of the earlier building as well as extensions to the north and east of the building. More recent additions include a three storey infill between the original early 19th Century building and the Alexian Gothic extension on the north western side of the building replacing a former single storey conservatory and a three storey wing to the east built in the 1960’s. In addition to this, a Tree Preservation Order covers all trees on the site. Details of the proposal 18 The applicant proposes the partial demolition of the grade II listed Abbey (the existing post war extensions detached ancillary structures and proposes to repair, refurbish and convert the grade II listed building and redevelop the wider site to provide for 92 residential units in total; 25 within the converted Twyford Abbey and 66 new build units in the abbey grounds. Case history 19 In March 2001, the former Mayor was consulted on an application for 121 residential units (PDU ref 0230/01); it was concluded that the application was contrary to strategic policy concerning development in MOL and local policy as a departure from the appropriate land uses identified in the UDP. The former Mayor was minded to direct refusal of the scheme. page 3 20 In 2005 the former Mayor was consulted for another scheme involving the creation of 317 residential units, comprising 29 apartments within the converted Abbey and 288 additional units of which 222 would be affordable (PDU ref 0230/a/01). This application was subsequently refused by Ealing Council. Strategic planning issues and relevant policies and guidance 21 The relevant issues and