Agenda item
Land bound by the East India Dock Basin to the west and Orchard Place to the East (PA/16/02249)
Proposal:
Temporary permission (3 years) for the erection of a 3 storey building comprising of a B1(a) (site office) in conjunction with the construction of the London City Island development, along with various enhancements to East India Dock Basin.
Officer Recommendation to the Committee:
That the Committee resolve to GRANT planning permission, subject to the prior completion of a legal agreement conditions and informatives
Minutes:
Update report tabled.
Paul Buckenham introduced the application for temporary permission (3 years) for the erection of a 3 storey building comprising of a B1(a) (site office) in conjunction with the construction of the London City Island development, along with various enhancements to East India Dock Basin. The application was being brought to the Committee as it affected Metropolitan Open Land (MOL).
Chris Stacey (Planning Services) presented the report explaining the nature of the site and surrounds, the existing use of the site and the key features of the application. He reported that in addition to the provision of the temporary structure, the plans would provide a range of permanent enhancements to the East India Dock Basin, that would be secured as part of the legal agreement. He also explained the outcome of the consultation and the issues raised.
It was noted that the development would result in the temporary loss of a small area of MOL. However, given the requirement to reinstate the site at the end of the permission and the range of permanent enhancements to the East India Dock Basin, Officers considered that exception circumstances existed to justify this temporary loss of MOL. The proposed design of the temporary structure was considered to be acceptable. The proposal did not raise any undue amenity issues given the distance between it and the nearest residential properties and the proposed hours of operation. A range of contributions would be secured as set out in the committee report. Officers were recommending that the proposal should be granted planning permission.
The Committee asked questions about the choice of location and the consultation responses relating to: the height of the development, parking and vehicle entry and the loss of the temporary education facility on the site. Confirmation was also sought that the comments from the LBTH Biodiversity Officer had been addressed. In response, Officers explained that due a lack of space within the London City Island site, the proposed accommodation could not be provided on the site. Therefore an alternative site needed to be found to facilitate the next phase of the development. The applicant considered that this site would provide the most suitable location. Officers were mindful of the concerns about the loss of the education facility. However, Officers considered that the merits of the scheme would outweigh this in terms of the impact on the MOL given the proposed enhancements and the temporary nature of the structure.
It was also considered that the scale and height of the development would be appropriate and that it would accommodate less of the site than a two storey building. This would require more floor space to accommodate the proposed use. Steps would be taken to secure a travel plan for the development to manage the access arrangements. It was required that details of the proposed enhancements be submitted before the works within the EIDB could commence. Such plans would need to be agreed by the Council’s biodiversity officer.
The Committee also sought reassurances about the time limit on the application and the intended use. Officers reported that any further application would need to be brought before the Committee to be determined and need to be considered on its own merits.
On a unanimous vote, the Committee RESOLVED:
1. That planning permission be GRANTED at Land bound by the East India Dock Basin to the west and Orchard Place to the East for the Temporary permission (3 years) for the erection of a 3 storey building comprising of a B1(a) (site office) in conjunction with the construction of the London City Island development, along with various enhancements to East India Dock Basin. (PA/16/02249) subject to:
2. The prior completion of a legal agreement to secure the planning obligations set out in the Committee report.
3. The Corporate Director of Place’s delegated authority to recommend the conditions and informatives in relation to the matters set out in the Committee report
Supporting documents: