Proposal:

Demolition of 3. no existing modular units and siting of 6 no. modular units for use as a primary school (Class D1) temporarily for 1 academic year, until 31 August 2017. Retention of 3 no. modular units after 31 August 2017 for use by Docklands Sailing and Watersports Centre (D1/D2) for a period of 5 years from the date of permission.

Recommendation:

That the Committee resolve to GRANT planning permission subject to the planning conditions and informatives in the Committee report.

Update report tabled.

Paul Buckenham (Development Manager, Development and Renewal) introduced the application for the demolition of 3. no existing modular units and siting of 6 no. modular units for use as a primary school temporarily for 1 academic year, until 31 August 2017 and the retention of 3 no. modular units after 31 August 2017 for use by Docklands Sailing and Watersports Centre for a period of 5 years from the date of permission.

The application had attracted 21 objections meaning it was referable to Committee. The application had been referred to the Strategic Development Committee (as opposed to the Development Committee that did not meet until 8 June 2016), by the Corporate Director of Development and Renewal, as he considered it appropriate as the applicant is seeking a timely outcome of the planning process prior to the start of the new school term in September.

The Chair then invited registered speakers to address the Committee.

Daniel Anson (Governor of Arnhem Wharf Primary School) Katy Bennett-Richards and Councillor Dave Chesterton addressed the Committee in objection. (Councillor Chesterton explained that he was not speaking as a Councillor or a Trustee of the Dockland Sailing Centre).

They objected to the impact of the development on the highway during the school run given its close proximity to the Arnhem Wharf Primary School. Given the overlap in the school hours, the plans would worsen the existing problems with traffic and parking congestion around the school.

They also objected to the impact on the Dockland Sailing Centre from the loss of the club facilities and the position of the new modular units that would ‘bisect’ the site. Furthermore, there was no guarantee that the development would only be temporary.

In response to questions from the Committee, they clarified their concerns about the ongoing issues with parking congestion outside the Arnhem Wharf Primary School, expressed concerns about the safety of the highway in the vicinity and outlined the measures that the school implemented to try to prevent this. They also answered questions about the impact on the Dockland Sailing Centre and the lack of consultation with the centre

Sarah Counter (Canary Wharf College), Peter Webb and Councillor Andrew Wood spoke in support of the scheme emphasising the need for a new school in the area. They considered that if refused, the children would have to be bussed to schools outside the Borough. Council Officers had raised no objection to the scheme. There would be staggered start times to avoid conflict with the Arnhem Wharf Primary School and any undue impact on the highway. The students would be from the local area, resulting in minimal vehicle activity.  The college operated a similar college nearby that had not given rise to any highway issues.

The Council and the sailing club had been consulted about the plans and the management were supportive of the plans given the long term benefits for the centre so were many parents.

Chris Stacey-Kinchin (Planning Officer, Development and Renewal)gave a presentation on the application explaining the application site, the surrounding area and the existing site plan and the outcome of the consultation and the issues raised. The Committee were advised of  key features of the scheme and the implications for the Docklands Sailing Centre and how this would be managed.  The Docklands Sailing Centre were generally supportive of the proposals.  A travel plan had been submitted indicating that the impact on the highway would be minimal given the staggered start times and the low number of vehicle trips predicted. Furthermore the college had a good track record with enforcing travel plans at their other colleagues. It was also considered that the design of the proposed development complied with  policy given it would be a  temporary structure and would have minimal impact on the street scene.

Officers were recommending that the planning permission be granted

In response, Members questioned whether the permission could be extended beyond the proposed period under the permitted development rights especially if there were a change in law permitting this. Members were keen to avoid this. Officers explained that given the status of the site the applicant would not automatically benefit from such rights so would have to apply for a new permission.  However, a condition could be added to ensure that any permitted development rights would be removed. Councillor Marc Francis moved an additional condition requiring the removal of any permitted development rights for the development and on a unanimous vote, this was agreed.

In response to further questions, Officers clarified the outcome of the transport assessment, the number of predicted vehicle trips to and from the new school. Officers also clarified the measures to minimise any impact on the highway and that there would be a requirement to ensure that the land was returned in its existing state following the expiry of the permission.

On a unanimous vote the Committee RESOLVED:

That planning permissionbe GRANTED at Docklands Sailing Centre, 235A Westferry Road, London, E14 3QS for the Demolition of 3. no existing modular units and siting of 6 no. modular units for use as a primary school (Class D1) temporarily for 1 academic year, until 31 August 2017. Retention of 3 no. modular units after 31 August 2017 for use by Docklands Sailing and Watersports Centre (D1/D2) for a period of 5 years from the date of permission (PA/16/00437) subject to the conditions and informatives set out in the Committee report and the additional condition agreed at the Committee meeting regarding the removal of any permitted development rights for development if Officers consider such rights are applicable.