Agenda item
69-89 Mile End Road, London E1 4UJ (PA/12/03357)
Decision:
Update Report tabled.
On a vote of 2 in favour and 2 against with the Chair using his casting vote in support of the recommendation, the Committee RESOLVED:
1. That planning permission (PA/12/03357) at 69-89 Mile End Road, London E1 4UJ be GRANTED for the change of use at first floor from retail (Use Class A1) to a 24 hour gym (Use Class D2) and external alterations including new access door to Mile End Road and installation of roof top servicing plant subject to the following:
2. That the Corporate Director of Development & Renewal is delegated power to impose conditions and informatives on the planning permission to secure the matters set out in the committee report.
Minutes:
Update Report tabled.
Jerry Bell (Applications Team Leader) introduced the report regarding 69-89 Mile End Road, London E1 4UJ for the change of use at first floor from retail to a 24 hour gym and external alterations
The Chair invited the registered speakers to address the meeting.
Adam Bunn addressed the Committee in opposition to the application. He stated that he was speaking on behalf of local residents as a planning consultant. He objected to the lack of a sequential site assessment for the application. Therefore, the application was contrary to the National Planning Policy Framework. As a result, the decision to grant would open to challenge at appeal.
Charles Moran (Applicant’s agent) spoke in support of the application. He considered that the scheme would reactivate a vacant site, empty for some time, would create new jobs and enhance the wellbeing of the community with new fitness facilities. He explained the measures to address the objectors concerns. This including moving the servicing plant area to the roof and also soundproofing. As a result, a number of objections had been withdrawn. Many residents supported the scheme and were present at the meeting. The site benefited from an existing town centre use permission. Therefore, he questioned the weight that could be given to the speakers objections about lack of sequential testing. In reply to Members, he explained the need for a 24 hour use of the gym. This would enable people with commitments during the day to use the facility.
Benson Olaseni(Planning Officer) presented the detailed report and the update. He explained the nature of the proposal. He explained the site location and nature of the uses on the other floors of the building. He explained the outcome of the local consultation. The objections covered noise, cumulative impact and impact on the highways. It was considered that the gym use was appropriate for the site given it was at the edge of the Town Centre. It therefore complied with policy.
He explained the conditions to address the objections. This included CCTV, a controlled entrance system and safety and security measures. The main entrance would be located on Mile End Road at a distance from residential properties. The objection about sequential testing had been considered by the relevant Council experts in planning policy. The advice was that such an assessment was unnecessary given the existing retail use on the upper floors and the edge of Town Centre location. Overall, Officers considered that the conditions would overcome any concerns and the application should be granted.
Members asked questions about the impact on the highways from vehicle use from the proposal. In response, Officers explained the measures to minimize this. Transport for London and Highways Services had no objections subject to the condition on cycle parking. The site had good public transport links. The applicant would take steps to minimise the impact on parking and the highway. There would be an outright restriction on classes during the night time to avoid groups of people arriving/leaving at the same time. The gym would also encourage sustainable forms of transport and would not refer to parking near the site.
It was unlikely that there would be a major increase in vehicles in the evening given the visitor numbers projected in the report, (based on comparable gym usage at this time)
On a vote of 2 in favour and 2 against with the Chair using his casting vote in support of the recommendation, the Committee RESOLVED:
1. That planning permission (PA/12/03357) at 69-89 Mile End Road, London E1 4UJ be GRANTED for the change of use at first floor from retail (Use Class A1) to a 24 hour gym (Use Class D2) and external alterations including new access door to Mile End Road and installation of roof top servicing plant subject to the following:
2. That the Corporate Director of Development & Renewal is delegated power to impose conditions and informatives on the planning permission to secure the matters set out in the committee report.
Supporting documents: