Agenda item
Mooring, West India Pier, Cuba Street, E14 (Report number DC033/056)
Minutes:
Mr Richard Humphreys (Planning Applications Manager) introduced the report, which assessed an application for the permanent mooring of a 4-berth residential vessel, and change of use of the pier to provide access. The pier had been disused since a riverbus service had failed in 1993 and had fallen into disrepair. The pier entrance was 10m from the nearest residential development, and the vessel itself would be 45m away. The more recently constructed Canary Wharf Pier would be the one used in any relevant emergency, but in any event it would be possible to move the vehicle moored there if West India Pier was required. Others matters had been dealt with by condition, and on balance he recommended the application as acceptable.
He also highlighted a recent letter from GLA member John Biggs reiterating the concerns of the Environment Agency and Port of London Authority, copies of which had been laid round.
Councillor Alan Amos addressed the committee in opposition to the proposal, referring to a previous refusal in Millennium Harbour and stating his belief that the vessel would cause nuisance to adjoining residents. Emphasising the current lack of parking provision in Cuba Street, he felt that any servicing from the pier would exacerbate this. He queried whether it would in fact be possible to enforce against holiday lets, and wished to allow for the possibility of alternative proposals to bring the pier back into use. Drawing attention to the comments of the EA and PLA, he argued that the issues were too serious to be addressed by way of conditions or a temporary permission, and urged the committee to reject the application.
Objector Ms Shirley Houghton addressed the committee, stressing the scale of local opposition to the application and again underlining the comments of the EA and GLA. She understood that use of riverbus services was now increasing, and therefore thought that West India Pier should be protected as an asset for the future. Disagreeing with the planners view that the London Plan “Blue Ribbon Network” policy supported reuse of the pier in this manner, she felt that a thorough environmental impact assessment should have been required. She believed that the proposed vessel’s impact on neighbouring properties would be substantial, and also urged the committee to reject the application.
In response to Members’ queries, officers stressed the requirement to determine the current application properly rather than speculate about possible alternative proposals. It was for a 4-berth vessel intended to accommodate a single family. Holiday lets were expressly forbidden as one of the recommended conditions of the planning permission, and this could certainly be enforced against if breached. They repeated that the vessel itself would be 45m away from the nearest neighbour, and so the potential for nuisance was very low. Parking was restricted along the length of Cuba Street, and this would apply to the applicant as much as any other resident. In relation to its possible reuse as a riverbus station, although this was not strictly a relevant consideration, it was felt that the new Canary Wharf Pier was in a much more suitable position and any new services would be more likely to seek to use this. Finally, it was clarified that although the EA and PLA had been consulted and their views taken into account (resulting in recommended informatives), they had no statutory role in determining the application.
On a vote of
3 IN FAVOUR
1 AGAINST
2 ABSTENTIONS
it was AGREED that planning permission be GRANTED subject to the conditions and informatives outlined below:
Conditions |
|
1 |
Limited time period for one year. |
2 |
No houseboat – being a structure without means of propulsion, which rests on a floating raft or pontoon – shall be moored from the pier. |
3 |
Only one vessel is to be moored at the site at any one time. |
4 |
The vessel shall not be used as temporary sleeping accommodation or for holiday lets. |
5 |
Reserved matters: a. Any material alterations at the pier b. Details of the means for storage and collection/disposal of rubbish c. Details sewage disposal. |
6 |
There shall be no discharge of sewage to the river. |
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Informatives |
|
1 |
Works to pier may require planning permission. |
2 |
Prior consent from Environment Agency required for works within 16 metres of the tidal flood defence structure. |
3 |
River works license from Port of London Authority required for all works in, on or over mean high water. |
Supporting documents: