Issue - meetings
Castle Wharf Esso Petrol Station, Leamouth Road
Meeting: 29/11/2016 - Strategic Development Committee (Item 5)
5 Former Castle Wharf Esso Petrol Station, Leamouth Road, London, E14 0JG (PA/16/01763/A1) PDF 8 MB
Proposal:
Redevelopment of the former Service Station site with a residential-led mixed use development, comprising 338 residential units, together with 376 sqm of flexible non-residential floorspace (Use Classes A1, A2, A3, B1, D1 and D2), 36 sqm café floorspace (Use Class A3), set across two main buildings including a 24 storey tower with stepped blocks of 20, 17, 11 and 8 storeys, linked by a 2 storey podium at ground level, with a single basement level, landscaping and associated amenities
Recommendation:
That the Committee resolve to GRANT planning permission subject to any direction by the London Mayor, the prior completion of a legal agreement, conditions and informatives.
Decision:
Update report tabled.
Councillor Denise Jones proposed and Councillor Marc Francis seconded that the consideration of the application be deferred for a site visit. On a vote of 4 in favour 2 against and 2 abstentions, the Committee RESOLVED:
That the application for planning permission at Former Castle Wharf Esso Petrol Station, Leamouth Road, London, E14 0JG for the redevelopment of the former Service Station site with a residential-led mixed use development, and associated works be DEFERRED for a Committee Site visit.
The Committee also asked to receive further information about:
· Primary school and health care provision in the area
· Developments with child play space on the 17th floor.
Minutes:
Update report tabled.
Paul Buckenham (Development Control Manager, Development and Renewal) introduced the application for the redevelopment of the former Service Station site with a residential-led mixed use development, and associated works.
The Chair invited registered speakers to address the Committee.
Councillor Andrew Wood expressed concern about the density of the application and the impact that the proposal and the other new developments in the area would have on the local infrastructure (schools, hospitals, play facilities) which there was a lack of. In response to questions from the Committee, he expressed concern about pedestrian safety given the proximity of the development to major roads. As a result, the children from the development would have to cross busy roads when leaving and entering the development. The redevelopment of the depot site would only worsen the problems. He also expressed concerns about air pollution in the area , the quality of the terrace play space and the developers consultation exercise given that meetings were held in remote locations. He considered that the plans showed symptoms of overdevelopment, did not satisfy the ‘special circumstances’ criteria in policy for high density developments. He also considered that if granted one of the units should be allocated as a health surgery.
Neeraj Dixit (Applicant’s representative) spoke in support of the application summarising the nature of the consultation process. The application had been significantly amended following discussions with the GLA and LBTH Officers and would deliver a significant number of benefits. There would be a policy compliant level of affordable housing and child play space. The site had good and improving transport links. In response to questions, he reported that the site had a good PTAL rating of 4. Furthermore, the new pedestrian bridge (to be delivered as part of the London City Island (Leamouth North) development) would facilitate access to Canning Town station. This would be just one means of reaching the site. In response to questions about the quality of the play facilities and the social housing, he considered that the community space could be converted to a nursery, and that the plans had been carefully designed to shelter the site including the child play space from the surrounding environment. The social units were of a high quality and there would be a maximum of eight units per core. In relation to air quality, he considered that the proposed change of use should reduce the traffic at the site. In response to further questions, he commented on the quality of the design, the safety of the route over the bridge to Canning Town station, the accommodation, the amenity space, and the merits of the layout.
Nasser Farooq (Planning Services, Development and Renewal) gave a presenting on the application describing the site location and the surrounding area including the location of nearby residential developments. He also described the local transport connections, the routes to local amenities, and the measures to improve these links. In terms of the planning considerations, the land use complied ... view the full minutes text for item 5