Stoke Newington CAAC February 2023

Planning Applications for Stoke Newington CAAC meeting for 1 February 2023

2023/0082 30 Woodlea Road, N16 0TH The proposed works: Alterations to the rear of the dwelling at ground floor, including; the addition of a new window on the side elevation, the conversion of the existing door on the side elevation to a window; and the installation of an additional door on the rear elevation to form double french doors. The works will also include the relocation of the existing boiler flu. Householder Planning (Jessica Neeve)

SN-CAAC have no objection

2021/2633 Outside 230 To 240 Stoke Newington High Street, N16 7HU Erection of a free standing electronics structure. Full Planning Permission (Alix Hauser) and 2021/2634 First And Second Floor Maisonette, Stokeys Public House, 204 Stoke Newington High Street, N16 7HU Advertisement consent for the display of two internally illuminated signs on either side of electronics structure. Advertisement Consent (Alix Hauser)

We find this application bizarre. The proposal is for a large piece of street furniture, if it can be described as that, placed in the literal centre of the pavement, blocking that pavement. A photomontage view is provided fully illustrating the madness. The thought that the proposal has made it all the way to an actual planning application without someone on the client side pointing out the blindingly obvious beggars belief. To list our objections:

1 The illuminated sign is in a position that will impede all users of the pavement and prevent the proper function of the pavement. It will be particularly hazardous and inconvenient for people with sight impairment, people using wheelchairs and a host of other people with disabilities not to mention people walking dogs, pushing buggies etc. Not only is it a potential collision hazard, people will step into the road to get round if others are coming in the other direction causing a danger of death. 

2 It will provide a perfect mugging point at night, allowing the assailant to conceal themselves awaiting the victim passing by.

3 It is sited directly outside the grade 2 listed entrance gates to Abney Park Cemetery, one of the most sensitive historic settings in the Conservation Area and in Hackney and a place where a large sum is currently being spent on renovations. All matters of function aside, it is entirely inappropriate in this type of sensitive setting.

Practical points notwithstanding we would also like to register our opposition in general to the proliferation of these ‘hubs’ within the borough. They are garish, ugly, add hugely to the clutter on our already overcrowded pavements and serve no real purpose other than to bombard us with advertising. The ’10%’ of public service messages is a pointless sop and wifi can be provided as a public service in many less intrusive ways. The sole purpose is for a multi-national privatised company to make money at our inconvenience (with a no doubt minimal cut going to Hackney). If they have any purpose at all it should be in larger public spaces, outside travel interchanges for instance, not on our narrow pavements. Their consumption of power and manufacture from carbon emitting materials for no public benefit is contrary to the Borough’s net zero policy.

We refer with irony to the applicant’s strap-line on the drawings which reads - “BT Beyond Limits”. It is time to introduce some.

2021/2623 Zina Media, Ground Floor Front, 116 Stoke Newington High Street, N16 7NY Advertisement consent for the display of two internally illuminated signs on either side of electronics structure. Advertisement Consent (Erin Glancy) and 2021/2632 Zina Media, Ground Floor Front, 116 Stoke Newington High Street, N16 7NY Erection of a free standing electronics structure following removal of existing phone box. Full Planning Permission (Erin Glancy)

This application proposes swapping an inconveniently placed old phone box with an equally inconveniently placed electronic advertising board which is 30% wider than the original telephone box. The pavement in this location is busy and narrow. The only acceptable solution is the removal of the telephone box, which no longer serves a purpose, and then to leave the pavement uncluttered and so safer and more useable at this point.

Practical points notwithstanding we would also like to register our opposition in general to the proliferation of these ‘hubs’ within the borough. They are garish, ugly, add hugely to the clutter on our already overcrowded pavements and serve no real purpose other than to bombard us with advertising. The ’10%’ of public service messages is a pointless sop and wifi can be provided as a public service in many less intrusive ways. The sole purpose is for a multi-national privatised company to make money at our inconvenience (with a no doubt minimal cut going to Hackney). If they have any purpose at all it should be in larger public spaces, outside travel interchanges for instance, not on our narrow pavements. Their consumption of power and manufacture from carbon emitting materials for no public benefit is contrary to the Borough’s net zero policy. 

2023/0032 241 - 243 Stoke Newington Church Street, N16 9HP Listed building consent for replacement windows together with alterations to roof lantern, internal partitions and boundary walls as well as the insertion of replacement fire doors to select parts of application site and associated minor works. (in association full planning application 2023/0005) Listed Building Consent (James Clark)

SN-CAAC have no objection

2023/0005 241 - 243 Stoke Newington Church Street, N16 9HP Replacement windows together with alterations to roof lantern and boundary walls as well as associated minor works. (in association listed building consent 2023/0032) Full Planning Permission (James Clark)

SN-CAAC have no objection

2022/2987 125 Myddleton Avenue, N4 2FP Change of use from garage to a habitable room including removal and replacement of existing front garage door with windows. Householder Planning (Jessica Neeve)

SN-CAAC have no objection

2022/0063 38 Digby Crescent, N4 2HR Erection of rear roof extensions and formation of a roof terrace with associated railings (retrospective) Full Planning Permission (Danny Huber)

SN-CAAC note that this application is retrospective referring to work done in 2015. We thought the drawings confusing/untrustworthy and photographs would have been helpful. The issues of overlooking are matters for the Planners and for the neighbours.

2022/3099 51 Digby Crescent, N4 2HS Excavation and extension of a basement including front and rear light wells; single storey rear ground floor extension; rear dormer roof extension; alterations to outrigger; roof terraces; to allow for the conversion of a single dwelling into 4 x residential units. Full Planning Permission (Catherine Nichol)

SN-CAAC feel this application should be refused. The standard of design is poor and the proposal is serious overdevelopment. The front gardens are not large and the glazed front light well, bin storage and bicycle storage will change the front appearance to the detriment of the appearance of the row of houses. The rear light well removes too much of the small garden. The only large flat has the bedrooms at basement level with little natural light. It is substandard accommodation. Fire escape routes do not seem to have been considered adequately. The addition of 3 roof lights at the front will also be detrimental to the appearance of the terrace.