Members are reminded to consider the categories of interest in the Code of Conduct for Members to determine whether they have an interest in any agenda item and any action they should take. For further details, please see the attached note from the Monitoring Officer.

Members are reminded to declare the nature of the interest and the agenda item it relates to. Please note that ultimately it’s the Members’ responsibility to declare any interests form and to update their register of interest form as required by the Code.

If in doubt as to the nature of your interest, you are advised to seek advice prior to the meeting by contacting the Monitoring Officer or Democratic Services

There were no declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Development Committee held on Tuesday 4 October 2022.

The Committee RESOLVED

That the unrestricted minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 4 October 2022 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

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.

There were no deferred items to consider.

Proposal:

Demolition of builder's merchants (Sui Generis) and redevelopment of the land to provide residential units (Use Class C3) over two blocks and the provision of commercial floorspace (Use Class E) at lower ground and ground level, with raised podium and associated landscaping, access and cycle parking.

Summary Recommendation:

Grant planning permission with conditions and planning obligations.

The published update report was noted.

Paul Buckenham, Head of Development Management, introduced the application for demolition of builder's merchants (Sui Generis) and redevelopment of the land to provide residential units (Use Class C3) over two blocks and the provision of commercial floorspace (Use Class E) at lower ground and ground level and associated works. 

Nicholas Jehan, Planning Officer, provided a presentation on the application. The Committee were reminded of the key features of the application, including photographs of the site and surrounds. The Officer’s recommendation was to grant planning permission. 

Further to questions from the Committee, officers provided more details on the following elements of the application: 

·         Measures and conditions to mitigate noise from nearby railway.

·         Configuration of different units and tenure types.

·         The relationship between the previous planning application and this one.

·         Vehicular access and highway improvements. 

·         Location and configuration of proposed play areas.

·         Daylight and sunlight assessments.

·         Impact on nearby allotments and proposed financial obligations to offset them.

·         Distinction between London Affordable and Tower Hamlets Living Rent.

The Committee debated the application. Some Members indicated that the proposal lacked sufficient family housing to meet local need. Members suggested the application could be deferred to allow the applicant to consider a revised dwelling mix.

At the invitation of the Chair, Ben Kelway, representing the applicant addressed the Committee. Mr Kelway advised the applicant was acutely aware of Tower Hamlets housing need, but felt this application met or exceeded all relevant policy targets. He indicated that for reasons of design and viability there was no scope to adjust the tenure mix.

As Councillor Iqbal Hossain had not been present for all of the officers' introduction to the application, he did not vote.

On a vote of 4 in favour, 0 against and 2 abstentions the Committee RESOLVED:

1.    that subject to any direction by the Mayor of London, conditional planning permission is GRANTED subject to the prior completion of a legal agreement to secure the following planning obligations: 

Financial obligations 

a.              £25,336.56 towards construction phase employment skills training 

b.                     £47,991.87 towards end-user phase employment skills training 

c.              £100,890 towards carbon emission off-setting  

d.              £30,000 towards improvements to the allotment to facilitate better utilisation of their site 

e.              £209,681 towards Highways improvement works and Section 278 agreement 

f.               £7,210 towards development coordination and integration 

g.              Monitoring Fee estimated at £18,383.28 

Total financial contributions: £439,492.71. 

Non-financial obligations: 

a.              Affordable housing (35.5% by habitable room) 

·            11 units as Affordable Rented

·            6 units as Shared Ownership

·            Details and implementation of London Affordable Rent/Tower Hamlets Living Rent‘wheelchair accessible’ dwellings(to M4 (3)(2)(b) standard) 

b.              Access to employment 

·            20% local procurement 

·            20% local labour in construction 

·            3 construction phase apprenticeships 

c.              Affordable Workspace 

d.              Transport matters: 

·            Car Free development (residential) 

·            Residential and Workspace Travel Plans 

·            S278 Agreement (works to Schoolyard Land, Cranford Street and The Highway and potential additional accessible  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.1

There are none.

There were no other planning matters to consider.