Agenda and draft minutes
Venue: Council Chamber, Town Hall, Mulberry Place, 5 Clove Crescent, London, E14 2BG
Contact: Louise Fleming, Democratic Services Tel: 020 7364 4878, E-mail: louise.fleming@towerhamlets.gov.uk
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APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE To receive any apologies for absence. Minutes: Apologies were received from Councillors Abdul Asad and Julian Sharpe. |
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DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST 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.
Minutes: Councillor Rofique Ahmed declared a personal interest in item 5.1, which related to Sutton’s Wharf North, Palmers Road, London E2 0SF as the application site was within his ward. Accordingly he remained and took part in the discussion and decision making on this item. |
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UNRESTRICTED MINUTES To confirm as a correct record of the proceedings the unrestricted minutes of the meeting of the Strategic Development Committee held on 2nd March 2006. Minutes: The minutes of the meeting held on 2nd March 2006 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair. |
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The Committee may agree to receive any deputations. Minutes: It was agreed to allow Xanthe Pitt to speak against the proposed development at item 5.1 and Trevor Selwyn to speak in favour. |
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PLANNING APPLICATIONS FOR DETERMINATION |
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Suttons Wharf North, Palmers Road, London E2 0SF Minutes: Mr Richard Humphreys introduced the report which assessed an application for the demolition of existing buildings and construction of seven buildings rising from 7 storeys up to 16 storeys to provide 419 new dwellings, 656sq m of Class B1 floor space, 225sq m of either Class B1 and/or D1 floor space, 330 sq m of Class A1 (retail) floor space, a health clinic (1,902sq m), and a day nursery (367sq m), 183 parking spaces and landscaping at Suttons Wharf North, Palmers Road, London E2 0SF.
Mr Humphreys summarised the grounds for objection received following the consultation period as follows: the height and proximity of the proposed buildings to Victoria Wharf would reduce the amount of available natural light to the apartments; the development, in particular the 20 storey tower, would significantly reduce available afternoon sunlight to Mile End Ecology Park and the outside area of the Palm Tree Pub; the density and height of the buildings would be out of keeping with the surrounding area; there would be an additional pressure on local services and the transport infrastructure; Palmers Road was too narrow to accommodate the increased levels of traffic; the removal of trees would be unacceptable; the scheme was contrary to London Plan policies; and would cause an increase in crime.
Members expressed concerns regarding the location of the proposed pedestrian bridge and whether the local college had been consulted; and the density of the development.
Officers addressed the concerns raised by Members. The Committee was informed that the pedestrian bridge would be built north of the railway line and that the local college had been consulted. Officers felt that, although the density was higher than the normal range recommended in the density guidelines, it was a similar density to that at the development on the south side of Suttons Wharf and therefore would not cause demonstrable harm.
Ms Xanthe Pitt addressed the Committee on behalf of the objectors to the application, on the grounds that the height and bulk of the proposed development would cause a significant loss of light to residents, the park and the outside seating area of the Palm Tree Public House, and would cause overshadowing and overlooking. It was also felt that the development would have an adverse impact on the ecology of the area. She urged the Committee to consider the application carefully, as the site did have much potential.
Mr Trevor Selwyn addressed the Committee on behalf of the applicant. He informed Members that the scheme had been amended in response to the consultation undertaken. It had been approved by the ecology expert from the Environment Agency and had received no objections from British Waterways. The proposed development would be the first developer-led 50% affordable housing scheme in the Borough and would generate employment in the area.
Members sought clarification on the organisations which had supported, and also those which had objected to the scheme. The representative of the developer also confirmed that funding had been obtained from the Housing Corporation for ... view the full minutes text for item 5.1 |