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

Further Advice contact: Linda Walker, Interim Director of Legal and Monitoring Officer, Tel: 0207 364 4348

There were no declarations of pecuniary interests, however Councillor Saied Ahmed and Councillor Kamrul Hussain recused themselves from both planning applications submitted for consideration. Councillor Suluk Ahmed and Councillor Ahmodur Khan substituted after item 4.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Strategic Development Committee held on 16 July 2024.

The Committee RESOLVED that:

The minutes of the Committee meeting held on 16 July 2024 were approved and signed as a correct record of proceedings.

Chairs Update

-      The Chair advised the Committee that the meeting was being held during the pre-election period and party political content must not be discussed.

-      The Committee was informed that due to an administrative error, the agenda incorrectly included nine Members of the Committee. Following the decision on 17 July 2024, there are currently only eight Members. Councillor James King was removed from the Committee and there is one vacant position pending a nomination from an ungrouped Member. A supplementary agenda highlighted the changes; however this did not impact the meeting.

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 Housing and Regeneration 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 Housing and Regeneration 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 Strategic Development Committee.

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 of Housing and Regeneration 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 of Housing and Regeneration 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 for the Strategic Development Committee.

Update report noted.

Paul Buckenham introduced the application to grant planning permission for the

demolition of existing building and erection of a mixed-use residential led building containing 450 residential units (Class C3) and new podium level to accommodate flexible retail, community, creative, and amenity uses (Class E and F2) as well as basement level blue-badge parking, new public realm and landscaping, and all associated works..

Jane Jin provided a presentation to accompany the application.

It was noted that this application was initially considered by the Strategic Development Committee on 16 July 2024. The application was deferred for a site visit, so that Members could better understand the likely construction impacts arising from the proposed development. The site visit took place on 22 August 2024.

Only members physically present at the 16 July meeting were permitted to vote on this application.

Further to the presentation, the Committee asked questions to Officers regarding the following issues;

·       Confirmed that planning conditions will manage the construction impacts to traffic.

·       Clarified that the application complies with the development plan, disruption to residents will occur if the application is granted and maximising the family-sized units will not mitigate this.

Following the points raised by Officers, the Committee debated the application and noted the following:

·       Concerns with the lack of family-sized units proposed.

·       Concerns with the construction impacts to traffic if the scheme was to be granted.

Councillor Saied Ahmed requested a deferment of the vote to determine if the scheme can incorporate more family-sized units. This was seconded by Councillor Kamrul Hussain.

On a vote of 4 in favour, 1 against and 0 abstentions the Committee RESOLVED:

1.    That the consideration of the application at 4 & 5 Harbour Exchange Square, London E14 9TQ be DEFERRED, to establish if the scheme can incorporate more family-sized units.

Update report noted.

Paul Buckenham introduced the application to grant planning permission for a comprehensive and phased mixed-use redevelopment comprising 1,358 residential units (Class C3), Secondary School (Class F), commercial, business and services (Class E(a)-E(g)(i)), community uses (Class F), car and cycle basement parking, associated landscaping, new public realm and all other necessary enabling works.

Nelupa Malik  provided a presentation to accompany the application, which highlighted the proposal’s site and surroundings. The proposal will provide 1,358 residential units, which equates to 35% affordable housing units, including a 46% of the affordable rent tenure as family housing. It will also include a 1,200 pupil capacity secondary school and a separate sports facility. There will be 12 building plots within the scheme and the construction program will take approximately 6-8 years, which will begin in 2024 if planning permission is granted.

The Committee was given background information on the extant planning permission, granted  in 2016 by the Mayor of London (ref: PA/15/02216). This was to provide 722 residential units in total of which 140 will be affordable housing units, and 210 family-sized units. The affordable units equated to 20%, split between affordable and intermediate properties. A mixture of retail uses, a secondary school and community uses were also proposed within the scheme.

In 2018 a revised application was submitted to provide 1,524 residential units and adopted the consented scheme. However, an appeal against a non-determination of the application was submitted in 2019 and granted by the Secretary of State in 2020,  following a public inquiry that same year. The appeal was challenged by the Council via a judicial review and planning permission was quashed and a public inquiry reopened in May 2021. The appeal was dismissed in November 2021.

The scheme was revised again and presented to the Committee as a pre-application on 18 October 2023. At that time questions were asked but no votes were taken.

The Chair invited Andrew Wood, to speak in objection to the application. Mr Wood highlighted the following concerns:

·       Planning permission was granted in 2016 for the secondary school and sports block, with a S106 agreement stating it had to be built by 2022. This did not occur and the developer has now proposed that if planning permission is not granted, the school will not be constructed.

·       Requested that either a further condition be implemented to ensure the secondary school lease is signed prior to granting the application. Or defer a decision until October 2024 to permit officers to legally ensure the lease is signed and construction of the school can commence.

The Chair then invited Ruth Bravery, to speak in objection to the application. Ms Bravery highlighted the following concerns:

·       The new proposal is 166 units less than the previously rejected proposal and only 10% smaller. The revised scheme proposes 636 units more than the consented scheme, is 88% larger and has altered significantly from the consented scheme. The application should be deferred so officers can reassess the density of the proposal.

·       Officers  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.1

Update report noted.

Paul Buckenham introduced the application to grant planning permission with obligations for the redevelopment of site involving erection of five buildings and retention of one building for provision of up to 69,033 sqm (GIA) of Class E(g) space for flexible life science purpose uses; and provision of up to 6,363 sqm (GIA) flexible Class E supporting uses and Class F1 and Class F2 supporting uses (gallery/ exhibition/ community uses); up to 2,820 sqm (GIA) F1(a) for research and development and teaching activities in the  life science sector; with associated landscaping; public realm and highway works; re-provision of existing on-street car parking; and erection of a single pavilion building comprising up to 759 sqm (GIA) Class E(b) café use with ancillary storage, and Sui Generis use (public toilets) set within a new landscaped open square. The development is to involve erection of a building up to 4 storeys on Plot A (including top storey plant); and erection of two buildings (on Plots B1 and B3) of 4 storeys rising to 8 storeys respectively (the latter including top storey

plant) including the demolition of former Outpatient's Building Annexe and part demolition/part retention of main former Outpatient's Building; and on Plot B2 the retention of the Ambrose King building. The development is to also involve the erection of a 7 storey building (including top storey plant) on Plot C (45.9m AOD); and erection of 15 storey building (including 2 top storeys of plant) on Plot D1 (78.7m AOD).

Robin Bennett provided a presentation to accompany the application and highlighted the site and surrounding areas. The proposal for a life sciences development and it’s definition was outlined as a facility for research, development, discovery and innovation connected with the study of the structure and behaviour of living organisms or life process for human health purposes. This will include several plots from A to D from Whitechapel Rd, New Road and Newgate Street and partly falls within the former London Hospital Conservation Area,

It was noted that there were two rounds of public consultations, in 2022 and 2023. There were 5 letters of objection and two petitions received in regards to the scale of the proposal, amenity, construction impacts, heritage, waste, architecture, landscaping and highway concerns. Historic England also expressed opposition to the extension of the Outpatient's building and noted it will cause harm to the character and appearance of the conservation area. There were also 35 written representations in support of the proposal.

Mr. Bennett outlined the public benefits of the proposal which will maximise the health outcomes for residents and offer employment and training opportunities during and after construction. The scheme is also estimated to generate up to 4,180 jobs, and the affordable workspace will  provide 10% of qualifying floor space for 25 years, with 65% of affordable workspace to accommodate at least 40% wet lab at 20% discount on market rates. Other benefits included 35% of qualifying floorspace that will be provided as affordable entry level office space at  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.2