I had a frustrating time at the planning applications committee meeting this evening. First of all I turned up promptly at 6:30 p.m. only to learn that the Green Road mosque planning application had been deferred because councillors hadn't had an opportunity to consider the equality impact assessment.
At about 7:45 p.m. we got on to the other Park Ward planning application -- the Thames Valley University student accommodation development.
I spoke against this application focusing on the parking impact and the unenforceability of the clause in the tenancy agreement designed to stop students from bringing their cars to University -- one councillor remarked that nothing is ever 100% enforceable and I pointed out that the University has never successfully enforced this clause.
As a plan B in case they permitted this development I argued for more money to be asked for to spend on resolving any parking problems. I also asked that the leisure/recreation section 106 money not be tied solely to Palmer Park but to the cemetery as well giving us more flexibility about how it is spent.
Unfortunately, this planning application was permitted and the pot of parking mitigation money wasn't increased. I did achieve the minor victory with the section 106 money though.
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