Agenda item
327-329 Morville Street, London (PA/17/01253)
- Meeting of Development Committee, Monday, 8th January, 2018 7.00 p.m. (Item 5.1)
- View the background to item 5.1
Proposal:
Demolition of the existing building and chimney and redevelopment of the site with the erection of a new six storey building to provide 58 residential units (Use Class C3), together with associated landscaping, rooftop amenity area, child play space and cycle and refuse storage facilities.
Recommendation:
That the Committee resolve to GRANT planning permission subject to the prior completion of a legal agreement, conditions and informatives
Minutes:
Paul Buckenham (Development Control Manager) introduced the application for the demolition of the existing building and chimney and redevelopment of the site with the erection of a new six storey residential building with associated works. He advised that the application was presented to the Development Committee on 8th November 2017 with an Officer recommendation for approval. The Committee were minded to refuse the application due to concerns about the height, bulk, massing and density of the application and the daylight impacts on neighbouring properties. Since that time, the applicant had made a number of changes to the application. The Council had carried out a further round of consultation and given the scale of the changes, the application was being brought back to the Committee as a new application.
Brett McAllister (Planning Services) presented the report explaining the key features of the amendments that had involved:
· Reducing the residential units proposed within the scheme from 62 to 58.
· Setting back the upper floor of the western block.
· Significantly reducing the massing of the eastern block by reducing the northern and southern half of these elements.
The Committee were advised of the site location that was not in a Conservation Area including the nature of the nearby residential developments, the existing land use and the proximity of the development to Olive Tree Court. They also noted the improved floor plans to provide future occupants with a better standard of internal amenity, the child play space at ground floor and improvements to minimise the impact of the application. The Committee also noted the images of the revised elevations and massing and its impact on the surrounding area. Consultation was carried out on the application in response to the original consultation. In response, three representations in objection were received and two in support. No additional representations were received in response to the re – consultation on the revised application.
Turning to the assessment, it was considered that the height of the development would appropriately respond to the local context that was predominantly of mixed character. The application would be of a good quality design. It was considered that the impact on neighbouring amenity would be broadly acceptable including the properties at Olive Tree Court (that would be most affected in terms of sunlight and daylight impacts). Following the changes, there had been a marked reduction in the number of windows that would experience a major adverse impact in this regard down from 11 to 3 windows. However as most of the windows in this development were triple aspect, they should continue to receive a good standard of daylight and sunlight.
The revised proposal would provide an acceptable mix of housing including 35% affordable housing. This would be split 70% affordable rented (in line with Tower Hamlets preferred rent levels) and 30% intermediate. Furthermore, the density of the application had decreased.
Transport matters, including parking, access and servicing were acceptable and it was not considered that there would be any significant detrimental impact upon the surrounding highways network as a result of this development.
Subject to the recommended conditions and obligations, Officers were recommending that the application was granted planning permission.
The Committee asked questions about the height of the scheme and the changes to overcome the concerns in this respect and the fire safety measures. In response, Officers explained in further detail the changes to reduce the scale and bulk of the application in relation to the eastern and western elements. There would be an informative encouraging the use of sprinklers and if granted, there would be detailed consideration of fire strategy issues, at the building control stage. The London Fire Authority had not raised any concerns about the application.
The Committee also sought assurances about the impact on Olive Tree court. Whilst mindful of the changes, clarity was sought on the impact on the three windows that would still be adversely affected. Officers confirmed that these windows would experience a loss of light - slightly over 40 percent. But the units would benefit from good standard of daylight/sunlight as they had alternative sources of light. Furthermore, none of the windows in Eastside Mews would experience a moderate or major adverse reductions.
In response to further questions, Officers reported that the scheme still met the child play space target and provided reassurances about the quality of the child play space.
On a unanimous vote, the Committee RESOLVED:
1. That planning permission be GRANTED at 327-329 Morville Street, London for the demolition of the existing building and chimney and redevelopment of the site with the erection of a new six storey building to provide 58 residential units (Use Class C3), together with associated landscaping, rooftop amenity area, child play space and cycle and refuse storage facilities. (PA/17/01253) Subject to
2. The prior completion of a legal agreement to secure planning obligations set out in the Committee report.
3. That the Corporate Director, Place is delegated authority to negotiate and approve the legal agreement indicated above.
4. That the Corporate Director, Place is delegated authority to issue the planning permission and impose conditions and informatives to secure the matters set out in the Committee report
Supporting documents: