Agenda, decisions and draft minutes
Venue: Council Chamber, 1st Floor, Town Hall, Mulberry Place, 5 Clove Crescent, London, E14 2BG
Contact: Zoe Folley, Democratic Services Tel: 020 7364 4877, E-mail: zoe.folley@towerhamlets.gov.uk
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Election of Vice Chair of the Committee for 2016/17 To elect a Vice-Chair for the Committee for 2016/17 Municipal year.
Minutes: It was proposed by Councillor Marc Francis and on a unanimous vote RESOLVED
That Councillor Andrew Cregan be elected Vice-Chair of the Development Committee for the Municipal Year 2016/2017
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DECLARATIONS OF DISCLOSABLE PECUNIARY INTERESTS PDF 64 KB To note any declarations of interest made by Members, including those restricting Members from voting on the questions detailed in Section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act, 1992. See attached note from the Monitoring Officer.
Minutes: Councillor Sabina Akhtar declared a personal interest in agenda item 8.1 216 - 218 Mile End Road, London, E1 4LJ (PA/15/01526) as she had received phone calls from interested parties on the application. |
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MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING(S) PDF 99 KB To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Development Committee held on 27th April 2016.
Minutes: The Committee RESOLVED
That the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 27th April 2016 be agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.
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RECOMMENDATIONS 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 Development and Renewal 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 Development and Renewal is delegated authority to do so, provided always that the Corporate Director does not exceed the substantive nature of the Committee’s decision.
Minutes: The Committee RESOLVED 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, Development and Renewal 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, Development and Renewal is delegated authority to do so, provided always that the Corporate Director does not exceed the substantive nature of the Committee’s decision
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PROCEDURE FOR HEARING OBJECTIONS AND MEETING GUIDANCE PDF 94 KB To note the procedure for hearing objections at meetings of the Development Committee and meeting guidance.
Minutes: The Committee noted the procedure for hearing objections and meeting guidance.
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DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE TERMS OF REFERENCE, MEMBERSHIP AND MEETING DATES PDF 77 KB To note the Development Committee’s Terms of Reference, Quorum, Membership and Dates of future meetings as set out in Appendices 1, 2 and 3 to the report. Additional documents:
Minutes: RESOLVED
That the Development Committee’s Terms of Reference, Quorum, Membership and Dates of future meetings be noted as set out in Appendices 1, 2 and 3 to the report.
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DEFERRED ITEMS None. Minutes: None. |
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216 - 218 Mile End Road, London, E1 4LJ (PA/15/01526) PDF 1 MB Proposal:
1. Application for variation of conditions no. 5 'hours of operation', 8 'use of rear yard' and 10 'use of rear yard and details thereof' of planning permission ST/96/00059 dated 04/02/1998 for: "Conversion and change of use from light industrial, office and storage into ground floor retail shop, first and second floors into 2 x 2 bedroom flats, demolition of rear single storey buildings to form vehicle parking spaces plus ancillary uses to the retail shop, and the retention of existing warehouse, with access for the rear activities from Beaumont Grove, E1."
2. Variation of condition 5 is to extend the hours of operation of the shop from 8:00 - 20:00 Mondays to Saturdays to 9:00 to 21:00 Mondays to Sundays. Deliveries to take place between 10:00 - 18:00 Mondays to Saturdays. No deliveries would take place on Sundays.
3. Variation of conditions 8 and 10 is to allow the rear yard to be used as a customer car park. The rear yard would be in use 9:00 - 21:00 Mondays to Saturdays and 9:00 - 16:00 on Sundays.
Recommendation:
That the Committee resolve to GRANT planning permission subject to the prior completion of a legal agreement to carry over all of the obligations attached to the original planning permission, taking account of the revised conditions, conditions and informatives on the planning permission as set out in the Committee report.
Minutes:
Update report tabled.
Paul Buckenham (Development Control Manager, Development and Renewal) introduced the application for variation of conditions for planning permission ST/96/00059 dated 04/02/1998 for: "Conversion and change of use from light industrial, office and storage into ground floor retail shop, first and second floor residential use details thereafter. Variation of condition 5 was to extend the hours of operation of the shop from 8:00 - 20:00 Mondays to Saturdays to 9:00 to 21:00 Mondays to Sundays. Deliveries to take place between 10:00 - 18:00 Mondays to Saturdays. No deliveries would take place on Sundays. Variation of conditions 8 and 10 was to allow the rear yard to be used as a customer car park. The rear yard would be in use 9:00 - 21:00 Mondays to Saturdays and 9:00 - 16:00 on Sundays.
The Chair then invited registered speakers to address the Committee.
Jim McKinney and Dr Shanti Velmurugan (local residents) spoke in objection to the application. They objected to the impact on the highway network and highway safety given the poor quality access arrangements, the scale of the operation, the existing highway issues and the proximity of the site to a nursery. The Planning Inspectorate had previously refused a similar application due to the concerns about the impact on the highway. The proposal would add to the existing problems, resulting in further incidences of vehicles reversing from the tunnel onto the busy highway, forklift truck activity and loading and unloading of large items on the highway due to the use of the site as a cash and carry and not as a retail store. No transport assessment had been submitted. So it was only possible to assess the impact on the day to day evidence.
The speakers also expressed concern about noise disturbance from the use of court yard and continued use of the forklift trucks given the proximity of the site to residential properties. The proposals would add to the existing problems in this regard, so, steps should be taken to prevent this. The Planning Inspectorate (when considering the earlier plans) was of the view the proposals would have a significant effect on amenity.
In response to Members, they clarified there concerns about the lack of an adequate transport assessment, the use of the premises as a cash and carry intensifying the impacts, the impact on highway safety given the proximity to the school and ambulance bays, the existing impact on amenity and the lack of a retail assessment to quantify the commercial benefits. They also discussed their concerns about unauthorised parking and servicing on Beaumont Grove giving examples of the type of problems experienced.
Sebastian Charles (Applicants Agent)spoke in support of the application. He highlighted the business case for the application to make the business more competitive given the number of nearby retails stores opening for longer hours. He also explained some of the steps that the business had been taken (since the Appeal decision) to mitigate the impact on the area, which included the ... view the full minutes text for item 8.1 |
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188 Westferry Road, London, E14 3RY (PA/15/03392) PDF 2 MB Proposal:
Construction of new entranceway and balcony
Recommendation:
That the Committee resolve to GRANT planning permission subject to conditions and informatives as set out in the Committee report.
Minutes: Update report tabled.
Paul Buckenham (Development Control Manager, Development and Renewal) introduced the planning application for the construction of new entranceway and balcony and the application for advertisement consent for installation of fascia signs: Front gate, Internal gate and 3x Rear elevation by helipad. (There would be a separate vote on each application).
The Chair then invited registered speakers to address the Committee.
John Callaghan, Trevor Bush (local residents) and Councillor Peter Golds spoke in objection to the application (for 6 minutes in total). They expressed concern about the redevelopment of the car parking area and overlooking from the parking spaces given the close proximity of the residential units. They also expressed concerned about damage to landscaping from any screening for this area. They also objected to the impact of the proposal on residential amenity in terms of increased noise disturbance and air pollution, (adding to the existing problems) especially as the plans naturally implied that there would an intensification of use site. Due to these issues, the London Plan discouraged the siting of a helipad near an urban area. In response to questions, they commented on the impact that the helipad had on the area, citing examples of helicopters hovering near residential dwellings, generating continuous noise and pollution. There were about 3-4 flights per day. In response to further questions, they expressed concern about the lack of consideration to the car parking issues and that the plans would encourage greater use of the site.
Nick Cox, the applicant’s agent, spoke in support of the proposals. He provided reassurances about the limited scale of the scheme, due amongst other things the fact that only a small number of helicopters in use met the criteria for landing at the site. He also explained that he was happy to close down the area identified on the plans as a car park and that the purpose of the new signage was merely to present a more professional image and that the new ramp would provide disabled access. He also gave an overview of the regulations and arrangements in place for controlling activity at the site. In response to questions, he repeated that the applicant had no intention of developing the car parking area and he was happy to shut this off. He also offered reassurances on the amenity impact of the application.
Nasser Farooq (Team Leader, Development and Renewal) gave a presentation on both the planning and the advertisement consent application for the site. He explained the site location, the surrounding area, the key features of the proposals and those parts of the application that did not need planning permission. It was also explained that the use of the site as a heliport had been established given it exceeded 10 years continued use.
Consultation had been carried out including consultation with statutory bodies. Given the number of helicopter movements, the National Air Traffic Services Ltd were of the opinion that the helipad did not require a license. Details of the responses were set ... view the full minutes text for item 8.2 |
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188 Westferry Road, London, E14 3RY (PA/15/03393) PDF 3 MB Proposal:
Installation of 5 fascia signs: Front gate (0.4 x 1.4 metres); Internal gate (1.7 x 0.7 metres); 3x Rear elevation by helipad (1.5 x 1.5; 1.5 x 1.5 & 1.7 x 0.7 metres).
Recommendation:
That the Committee resolve to GRANT advertisement consent subject to conditions and informatives as set out in the Committee report.
Minutes: Update report tabled.
For the details of the presentation and discussion, see above item.
On a vote of 2 in favour 2 against and 1 abstention with the Chair exercising a casting vote to approve the application, the Committee RESOLVED:
1. That the advertisement consent be GRANTED at 188 Westferry Road, London, E14 3RY for the Installation of 5 fascia signs, Front gate (0.4 x 1.4 metres); Internal gate (1.7 x 0.7 metres); 3x Rear elevation by helipad (1.5 x 1.5; 1.5 x 1.5 & 1.7 x 0.7 metres) (PA/15/03393)
2. That the Corporate Director of Development and Renewal is delegated power to impose conditions and informatives on the planning permission to secure the matters set out in the Committee report
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34-41 Folgate Street, London, E1 6BX (PA/16/00065) PDF 3 MB Proposal:
Refurbishment and reconfiguration of existing use B1(a) Office, with rear extension to provide additional office floorspace, new roof to refurbished courtyard and formation of new use class A1 unit, fronting Folgate Street alterations to elevations.
Recommendation:
That the Committee resolve to GRANT planning permission subject the prior completion of a legal agreement to secure planning obligations, conditions and informatives as set out in the Committee report.
Minutes: Update report tabled.
Paul Buckenham (Development Control Manager, Development and Renewal) introduced the application for the refurbishment and reconfiguration of existing use B1(a) Office, with rear extension to provide additional office floorspace, new roof to refurbished courtyard and formation of new use class A1 unit, fronting Folgate Street alterations to elevations.
Esha Banwait, (Planning Officer, Development and Renewal) presented the detailed report, explaining the application site surrounding area and the shortcoming with the existing office layout at the site. The Committee were advised of the key features of the scheme including the layout and the proposed façade. It was required that details of the proposed materials be submitted prior to implementation. The Committee also noted the proposed height and massing that its relationship with the surrounding context.
It was noted that concern had been raised about the impact on neighbouring amenity including loss of light to properties and overlooking. Given the modest size of the new windows and that that the design itself should prevent overlooking amongst other matters, Officers did not consider that the neighbouring properties would be unduly effected given the dense urban setting.
The Committee also noted details of the cycle parking, and outcome of the highways, transportation and servicing assessment.
In view of the merits of the application, Officers were recommending that it be granted.
In response to the presentation, Members drew attention to the comments from the historic societies in the report regarding the appearance of the proposal. In view of the comments, reassurances were sought that that the material chosen and colour of the brickwork, would be in keeping with the surrounding area. Officers reported that, prior to selecting the materials a site visit would be undertaken to physically match the proposed material with surrounding properties to ensure they were appropriate. Officers would take on board the comments of the Committee and would work to ensure that the suitable materials were chosen. It was also noted that the Borough’s Conservation Officer considered that the new façade would be modern yet would be more in keeping with the historic context .
In response to questions about the proposed coffee shop, Officers felt that it would complement the office use. Furthermore, the proposal complied with policy given the Central Activity Zone location. However, to minimise its impact, conditions would be imposed on the permission, restricting the coffee shops opening hours, to ensure the area retained its residential character over the weekend.
Regarding overlooking, it was noted that the applicant had agreed to incorporate within the plans external overlooking mitigation to preserve the outlook of the nearby properties (as set out in the update report).
On a vote of 4 in favour 0 against and 1 abstention, the Committee RESOLVED:
1. That the planning permission be GRANTED at 34-41 Folgate Street, London, E1 6BX for the refurbishment and reconfiguration of existing use B1(a) Office, with rear extension to provide additional office floorspace, new roof to refurbished courtyard and formation of new use class A1 ... view the full minutes text for item 8.4 |
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OTHER PLANNING MATTERS No items. Minutes: None.
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