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Update report was tabled

Gareth Gwynne introduced the application for demolition of existing petrol filling station and associated retail store and erection of a four to six-storey building for a 157-bedroom hotel and ground floor/basement office use together with ancillary landscaping, servicing and cycle parking, highlighted issues in the update report.

Adam Garcia provided an overview of the site, including the current use,

Public consultation had been undertaken and the principles objections were noted around application resulting in over provision of hotel use, potential residential use and amenity issues.

•         In land use terms, the policy provided no protection for the petrol station, and in principal the hotel led use complied with policy.  In addition, it was not considered that the proposal would create an oversupply of hotels in the area or compromise the housing supply, based on the site’ location and the size of the hotel.

•         The design would respond well to the local area, and sought to re – establish the historic building line on Cambridge Heath Road. Details of design were noted including the transitions in building heights, the proposed materials to providing visual interest. It would constitute a high quality design.

•         In heritage terms, the scheme would respond positively/enhance the setting of the Bethnal Green Gardens Conservation Area, as well as the heritage assets and the Public House.

•         It was considered that the neighbouring properties would be unaffected in terms of amenity impacts.

•         The hotel rooms would have good outlook

•         The proposals had been designed to minimise overlooking to residential developments and result in limited impacts to sense of enclosure.

•         Cycle parking plans were in line with policy

•         The development would be car free with one accessible bay.

•         A servicing yard was proposed. A Stage 1 Safety Audit had been submitted for this new access route, and accepted by highway officers.

•         Planning obligations had been secured.

•         Officers were recommending that the planning permission was granted

The Chair invited the registered speakers to address the Committee.

Irfan Hussain, Hassan Hoque and Councillor Gabriela Salva-Macallan, a ward Councillor spoke in objection to the application.

Concerns were expressed about:

•         Developer’s consultation with local people particularly during the early lockdown period, given the nature of the proposal. (change of use)

•         Oversupply of hotels in the area/lack of demand for additional hotels

•         Evidence submitted by the objectors showed that the site could accommodate a residential development. This option should instead be taken forward given the need for housing/oversupply of hotels

•         Concerns over the design. This needed to be given further consideration.

•         Servicing issues.

Mike Ibbott spoke in support of the application, highlighting the following issues:

•         That the applicant had worked with the Council over many years to develop the application.

•         That the proposed land use met the key tests and satisfied the criteria in policy for the provision of a hotel use.

•         The need for a hotel in the area. Bethnal Green had  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Development Committee held on 5^th November 2020

The Committee RESOLVED

That the unrestricted minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on be agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

To RESOLVE that:

1)   in the event of changes being made to recommendations by the Committee, the task of formalising the wording of those changes is delegated to the Corporate Director Place along the broad lines indicated at the meeting; and

2)   in the event of any changes being needed to the wording of the Committee’s decision (such as to delete, vary or add conditions/informatives/planning obligations or reasons for approval/refusal) prior to the decision being issued, the Corporate Director Place is delegated authority to do so, provided always that the Corporate Director does not exceed the substantive nature of the Committee’s decision.

3)   To note the procedure for hearing objections at meetings of the Development Committee and meeting guidance.

The Committee RESOLVED that:

1.            The procedure for hearing objections and meeting guidance be noted.

2.            In the event of changes being made to recommendations by the Committee, the task of formalising the wording of those changes be delegated to the Corporate Director, Place along the broad lines indicated at the meeting; and

3.            In the event of any changes being needed to the wording of the Committee’s decision (such as to delete, vary or add conditions/informatives/planning obligations or reasons for approval/refusal) prior to the decision being issued, the Corporate Director, Place be delegated authority to do so, provided always that the Corporate Director does not exceed the substantive nature of the Committee’s decision

There are none

Proposal

Demolition of existing petrol filling station and associated retail store and erection of a four to six-storey building (7,036m2 GEA) for a 157-bedroom hotel (6,458m2) and ground floor/basement office use (578m2 GEA), together with ancillary landscaping, servicing and cycle parking.

Recommendation:

Grant Planning Permission subject to conditions and legal agreement

Update report was tabled

Gareth Gwynne introduced the application for demolition of the existing petrol filling station and associated retail store and erection of a four to six-storey building for a 157-bedroom hotel and ground floor/basement office use together with ancillary landscaping, servicing and cycle parking. He also highlighted issues in the update report.

Adam Garcia presented the application providing an overview of the site, including the current use. Public consultation had been undertaken and the main objections were noted around the application resulting in an over provision of hotel use, potential residential use for the site and amenity issues.

The Committee noted the following:

•         In land use terms, the policy provided no protection for the petrol station, and in principal the hotel led use complied with policy.  In addition, it was not considered that the proposal would create an oversupply of hotels in the area or compromise the housing supply, based on the site location and the size of the hotel.

•         The design would respond well to the local area, and sought to re – establish the historic building line on Cambridge Heath Road. Details of the design were noted including the transitions in building heights, the proposed materials, providing visual interest. It would constitute a high quality design.

•         In heritage terms, the scheme would respond positively/enhance the setting of the Bethnal Green Gardens Conservation Area, as well as the heritage assets and the Public House.

•         It was considered that the neighbouring properties would be unaffected in terms of amenity impacts.

•         The hotel rooms would have a good outlook

•         The proposals had been designed to minimise overlooking to residential developments and would result in limited impacts to sense of enclosure.

•         Cycle parking plans were in line with policy

•         The development would be car free with one accessible bay.

•         A servicing yard was proposed. A Stage 1 Safety Audit had been submitted for this new access route, and accepted by highway officers.

•         Planning obligations had been secured.

•         Officers were recommending that the planning permission was granted

The Chair invited the registered speakers to address the Committee.

Irfan Hussain, Hassan Hoque and Councillor Gabriela Salva-Macallan, a ward Councillor spoke in objection to the application.

Concerns were expressed about:

•         Developer’s consultation with local people particularly during the early lockdown period, given the nature of the proposal. (change of use)

•         Oversupply of hotels in the area/lack of demand for additional hotels

•         Evidence submitted by the objectors showed that the site could accommodate a residential development. This option should instead be taken forward given the need for housing/oversupply of hotels

•         Concerns over the design. This needed to be given further consideration.

•         Servicing issues.

Mike Ibbott spoke in support of the application, highlighting the following issues:

•         That the applicant had worked with the Council over many years to develop the application.

•         That the proposed land use met the key tests and satisfied the criteria in policy for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.1

Proposal:

Proposed single storey rear extension

Recommendation:

Grant planning permission, subject to conditions

Item withdrawn from the agenda

There are none