Agenda item
Land bounded by Watts Grove and Gale Street, London, E3 3RE (PA/17/00732)
Proposal:
Redevelopment to provide three residential blocks ranging from 3-7 storeys to provide 65 dwellings, plus bicycle parking, together with landscaping including public, communal and private amenity space. Creation of a new north-south link from Compton Close, a new east-west pedestrian between Watts Grove and Gale Street, and two disabled parking spaces on Gale Street.
Recommendation:
That the Committee resolve to GRANT planning permission subject to the prior completion of a Section 106 legal agreement, conditions and informatives.
Minutes:
Update report tabled.
Paul Buckenham introduced the application for the redevelopment of the site to provide three residential blocks ranging from 3-7 storeys to provide 65 dwellings, plus associated working including the creation of a new links from Compton Close and between Watts Grove and Gale Street.
Victoria Olonisaye-Collins (Planning Services) presented the report explaining the site location, the existing use of the site and the recent planning history. The Committee were advised of the key features of the application and the outcome of the consultation and the changes to address the concerns raised about the proposed north/south access route.
Turning to the assessment, Officers considered that the land use was acceptable and was considered appropriate in this location. Whilst the density of the application would exceed the recommended range in policy, the proposals did not display any significantly adverse impacts typically associated with overdevelopment. There would be no unduly detrimental impacts upon the amenity of neighbouring occupants in terms of loss of light, overshadowing, loss of privacy or increased sense of enclosure. The development would provide an acceptable mix of housing types and tenure including the provision of 100% affordable housing (with 31% rent and 69% intermediate), this was strongly supported.
The proposals would be acceptable in terms of height, scale, design and appearance. Transport matters, including parking, access and servicing were acceptable.
The Committee asked questions about the previously withdrawn applications and the reasons why they were withdrawn. Questions were also asked about the nature of the objections to this application, the impact on David Hewitt House and Ladyfern house, the density of the proposal given the public transport rating for the site. Questions were also asked about the measures to increase the level of affordable rent units, the viability assessment for grant supported scheme and the factors that would have been taken into account in undertaking the assessment.
Officers explained that concerns had been raised about the opening up of the north/south access route on the grounds that it could increase anti - social behaviour. The petition mostly concerned this issue. To address the concerns, the application had been amended to install gates amongst other changes. Officers also outlined the nature of their concerns with the previous applications. It was felt that these issues had now been addressed. It was also considered that the impact on David Hewitt House would broadly be acceptable in terms of the amenity impacts as detailed in the sunlight and daylight assessment.
Officers also provided further assurances regarding the density of the application given it met the relevant tests in policy and the height of the proposals. Officers considered that the variation in building heights would respond well to the area and that the seven storey building would sit comfortable with the surrounding building heights.
It was also explained that a lot of work had gone into bringing the site forward and that the developer had experienced a number of issues in trying to bring the previous 2012 application forward on viability grounds. Officers had worked hard to secure additional grant funding to increase the number of affordable rented units to 31% of the development since the application’s submission. Officers had also sought to receive further information about the viability of the application (even thought there was no requirement to provide a viability assessment for a 100% affordable scheme). Some of the key features of this assessment were explained.
On a vote of 5 in favour and 1 against, the Committee RESOLVED:
1. That the planning permission at Land bounded by Watts Grove and Gale Street, London, E3 3RE be GRANTED for the redevelopment to provide three residential blocks ranging from 3-7 storeys to provide 65 dwellings, plus bicycle parking, together with landscaping including public, communal and private amenity space. Creation of a new north-south link from Compton Close, a new east-west pedestrian between Watts Grove and Gale Street, and two disabled parking spaces on Gale Street. (PA/17/00732) SUBJECT to
2. The prior completion of a Section 106 legal agreement to secure the planning obligations set out in the Committee report and the amendments in the Committee update report.
3. That the Corporate Director of Place is delegated power to negotiate the legal agreement indicated above acting within normal delegated authority.
4. That the Corporate Director of Place is delegated authority to recommend the conditions and informatives in relation to the matters in the Committee reportand the amendments in the Committee update report.
5. Any other conditions and informatives considered necessary by the Corporate Director of Place
Supporting documents: