Planning Applications PDF 1 MB - Meetings, agendas and minutes

part of an informal consultation process. Officers are advised by the applicant that
approximately 40 people attended the session at which they were invited to complete a
feedback questionnaire on the proposals; and that comments received were supportive
of the proposal. Officers are also advised that a handful of respondents were
concerned about the loss of the Fatima Parish Centre, but were reassured that it would
be re-provided as part of the proposal.
1.9 Prior to the submission of the planning application the applicants also engaged
with the Council in pre-application discussions, and took part in a Design Review Panel
on 11th December 2012. The Design Review Panel's conclusions were that the scale,
bulk, massing, layout and proportion of the proposed building were acceptable. It was
suggested that materials might be simplified, and that render should generally be
replaced with brickwork. The colours used in the main elevations were supported. It
was identified that there was the opportunity to create a strong focus point on the
junction of Commonwealth Avenue and India Way, and that this could be achieved by
continuing the brick façade on this corner, 'peeling back' the brickwork to introduce slots
and create a distinctive element on the corner (for example a cross). These design
suggestions have subsequently been incorporated into the scheme which forms this
planning application.
2.0 PUBLICITY AND CONSULTATIONS
2.1 The planning application has been advertised by way of three site notices, a press
advert and individual notification letters to 322 neighbouring properties.
2.2 Four responses have been received, all of these being from members of the
Church of Grace who utilised the Fatima Centre prior to its recent closure. The Church
of Grace is currently looking to relocate to a new venue suitable for their church
activities.
2.3 The responses received object to the proposal, and raise the following comments
in summary:
Have been using the Fatima Community Centre for the last thirty years as a place for
worship and outreach work to help the community; Over 120 members meet every
Sunday; What provisions would be made available for relocation; Fatima Community
Centre is a focal point on the estate; Staff have transformed the community and made
White City Estate a place where people are now happy to live and bring up their
families, the crime level is low; The centre helps the South American community and by
closing the Fatima Community Centre, the loss would be felt throughout London; The
centre helps the old and the young; the local community have sustained the centre; The
Church was only given seven weeks notice of the closure of the centre; Church have
been unfairly treated since it is difficult if not impossible to find a place of worship within
this notice period; Agree a school is needed, but also need to consider the needs of the
community in the wider perspective and the interest and importance of all service users
and their needs.
2.4 Officers' response: It is acknowledged that the Church of Grace were one of the
users of the Fatima Parish Centre, prior to its recent closure on the grounds that the
building was unfit to use. The proposed relocation of the Parish Centre would improve
facilities in the longer term. It is not intended to close the Parish Centre permanently,
and therefore this 'loss' of the facility would only be temporary. The applicants have