Agenda item
"Floating Hotel", Mooring in Millwall Cutting and South Dock, Thames Quay, Marsh Wall, E14 (Report number DC027/056)
Minutes:
Mr Stephen Irvine (Strategic Applications Manager) introduced the report, and drew attention to the additional information, representations and recommended conditions contained in the tabled Addendum report. A previous permission for a similar vessel known as the ‘Chrome Castle’, which had been larger than the current application, had been granted in October 2000. He pointed out that many of the issues raised during consultation were in fact commercial and legal ones between the applicants and adjoining landholders, rather than planning matters. Although the scheme was highly unusual, Canary Wharf and Docklands were well known for contemporary design, and the proposal would bring an additional attraction with associated employment, to the area.
Mr Jeff Jones addressed the committee on behalf of the objectors and in particular the freeholders and residents of Meridian Place, a development to the immediate southeast of the application site. They had had previous experience of disturbance caused by naval and other visiting vessels, and feared even more from a permanently moored one. On several of these occasions they had received assurances from the relevant parties but these had proven ineffective. They were particularly concerned that whatever the operators intentions, significant numbers of staff and guests would access the site through their property. This would severely affect their amenity and security, and he urged the committee to reject the application.
In response to Members’ queries, he acknowledged that the applicants had made some efforts to address their concerns including by the construction of a new service road and pontoon as the principal means of access. Nevertheless they still believed that it would lead to much greater congestion and nuisance on their estate, as guests and staff were dropped of on Marsh Wall and elsewhere and cut through to the hotel.
Ms Shirley Karat addressed the committee on behalf of the applicants, stressing that they had tried to address all those matters which were within their power. Her clients planned to operate a 5 star hotel and to attract the requisite guests. It was therefore in their interests to minimise noise or other nuisance on board, or originating from, the vessel. They intended to provide consistently high levels of management and security. It had been agreed that most servicing would be via the water, and this was covered by both the proposed conditions and legal agreement. Alternative direct means of access would be provided for vehicles and pedestrians, so they could not foresee many visitors choosing to approach it through Meridian Place or other neighbouring sites.
In response to Members’ queries, she argued that the proposal would not be out of character with the area, as very little of the traditional dockside was left and all of the adjacent developments were of modern design. She confirmed that a new swing bridge would be constructed across Millwall Cutting to provide easier pedestrian access to South Quay DLR and Canary Wharf. The hotel would have both patrolling security and a 24 hour staffed entrance, as set out in the legal agreement. She reminded the committee that although the hotel would have the appearance of a ship, it would not have its own means of propulsion and was not intended to move.
Councillor Janet Ludlow proposed an addition to the legal agreement to require “security, signage and other measures to be taken to endeavour to ensure visitors and staff respect the boundaries of other local residences and properties, in particular those with Meridian Place.”
The amendment was agreed on a vote of
4 IN FAVOUR
1 AGAINST
1 ABSTENTION.
On a vote of
5 IN FAVOUR
1 AGAINST
it was AGREED that planning permission be GRANTED subject to the conditions and S106 legal agreement outlined below:
Conditions |
|
2.1.1 |
Time period for commencement (5 years). |
2.1.2 |
Construction hours (8am-6pm Mon to Fri, 8am-1pm Sat, no Sundays or Public Holidays). |
2.1.3 |
Approval of Highways details prior to commencement of works. |
2.1.4 |
Detailed landscape plan prior to commencement of works. |
2.1.5 |
British Waterways conditions detailing surfacing materials, pontoon details and the means of securing/mooring of the boat to the quay. |
2.1.6 |
Environment Agency conditions requiring ecological mitigation plan, pontoon design details, UK native planting, external lighting details and no storage on dock. |
2.1.7 |
Servicing arrangements by water vehicles. |
2.1.8 |
Disabled/bicycle parking to be permanently retained. |
2.1.9 |
Restriction of use for external public decks (for restaurants/bar areas). |
2.1.10 |
Use class restrictions (C1 hotel and ancillary uses). |
2.1.11 |
Plant & associated equipment noise restrictions. |
2.1.12 |
Extract duct and fumes restrictions. |
2.1.13 |
Refuse and recycling facilities in accordance with plans. |
2.1.14 |
Crossrail Safeguarding conditions. |
|
|
Section 106 Legal Agreement to secure the following: |
|
2.2.1 |
Completion of a Management Plan to incorporate the following details; (i) Details of the day to day servicing arrangements for the vessel. (ii) Details of the proposed valet parking arrangements. (iii) Details of community liaison officer and a 24-hour liaison telephone number for local residents. (iv) Security details, including patrolling security staff to ensure visitors to the vessel do not disturb local residences and 24 hour manned security entrance. (v) Security, signage and other measures to be taken to endeavour to ensure visitors and staff respect the boundaries of other local residences and properties, in particular those with Meridian Place. |
2.2.2 |
£100,000financial contribution towards education and training initiatives within the Borough. |
2.2.3 |
£50,000financial contribution towards a new pedestrian crossing on Marsh Wall. |
2.2.4 |
£30,000 financial contribution towards bus stops on Marsh Wall. |
2.2.5 |
£20,000 financial contribution towards the provision of cyclist and pedestrian facilities in the Isle of Dogs. |
2.2.6 |
£9,000financial contribution to the London Docklands Angling Consortium. |
2.2.7 |
The applicant agrees to revoke the planning consent PA/00/1439 at the western end of South Dock when the current application PA/05/1227 is consented. |
2.2.8 |
Additional parking to be made available to LDAC, of a maximum of 5 spaces during the week and a maximum of 10 spaces at weekends. |
2.2.9 |
Additional 6 access gates in Millwall Cutting (total of 10) for LDAC to gain access to the dock. |
2.2.10 |
British Waterways to exchange the permitted angling area on the western side of Millwall Inner Dock, once the vessel’s use is implemented. |
Supporting documents: