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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DECLARATIONS OF DISCLOSABLE PECUNIARY INTERESTS PDF 56 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: No declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests were made.
Councillors Helal Abbas and Joshua Peck declared an interest in agenda items (6.1) Suttons Wharf North, Palmers Road, London (PA/13/02108), (6.2) Land bounded by 2-10 Bethnal Green Road, 1-5 Chance Street (Huntingdon Industrial Estate) and 30-32 Redchurch Street (PA/13/01638, PA/13/01644) and (6.3) Land at Fleet Street Hill, London, E2 (PA/13/01637).This was on the basis that the Councillors had received correspondence from interested parties (including the ward Councillor for item 6.1) and had been approached by residents.
Councillors Rajib Ahmed, Peter Golds, Zara Davis and Denise Jones declared an interest in agenda items (6.1) Suttons Wharf North, Palmers Road, London (PA/13/02108), (6.2) Land bounded by 2-10 Bethnal Green Road, 1-5 Chance Street (Huntingdon Industrial Estate) and 30-32 Redchurch Street (PA/13/01638, PA/13/01644) and (6.3) Land at Fleet Street Hill, London, E2 (PA/13/01637).This was on the basis that Councillors had received correspondence from interested parties
Councillor Md. Maium Miah declared an interest in agenda items (6.1) Suttons Wharf North, Palmers Road, London (PA/13/02108), (6.2) Land bounded by 2-10 Bethnal Green Road, 1-5 Chance Street (Huntingdon Industrial Estate) and 30-32 Redchurch Street (PA/13/01638, PA/13/01644) and (6.3) Land at Fleet Street Hill, London, E2 (PA/13/01637).This was on the basis that the Councillor had received correspondence from interested parties and that he was also a Island Area Board Member for One Housing Group in respect of item 6.1.
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MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING(S) PDF 89 KB To confirm the minutes of the meeting of the Strategic Development Committee held on 29th August 2013. Minutes: The Committee RESOLVED
That the unrestricted minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 29th August 2013 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 PDF 42 KB To NOTE the procedure for hearing objections at meetings of the Strategic Development Committee. Minutes: The Committee noted the procedure for hearing objections, together with details of persons who had registered to speak at the meeting.
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DEFERRED ITEMS Nil Items. Minutes: Nil items. |
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Suttons Wharf North, Palmers Road, London (PA/13/02108) PDF 315 KB Proposal: Application under s.73 of the Town and Country Planning Act for a variation of Condition 22 of the Planning Permission PA/11/3348 dated 30/03/12 to seek minor material amendments to the *approved Suttons Wharf North development comprising the conversion of ground, first and second floor levels to create ten additional residential units and associated minor alternations to Block B.
Recommendation: GRANT planning permission subject to the variation to the legal agreement, conditions and informatives.
Additional documents: Minutes: Update Report Tabled.
Pete Smith (Development Control Manager) introduced the report regarding Suttons Wharf North, Palmers Road, London seeking minor material amendments to the *approved Suttons Wharf North development comprising the conversion of ground, first and second floor levels to create ten additional residential units and associated minor alternations.
The Chair then invited registered speakers to address the Committee.
Mr Kha'lique spoke in objection to the proposal from the Suttons Wharf Residents Group. He referred to the previous changes to the scheme to convert from commercial to residential units. He objected to the impact of these changes in terms of increased litter and other environmental challenges in the area. This additional conversion to housing would only worsen these problems. The proposals would change the nature of the area by converting potentially high end commercial units (that was welcomed in the area) to purely housing. The occupants, when moving in to the development, bought their properties on the basis that the units would be commercial units not residential. In response to questions, Mr Kha'lique stated that the approved commercial units would improve natural surveillance by generating a flow of people (even though the units would be closed at night). It was anticipated that the units would attract a high quality businesses given the quality of surrounding units in Palmers Road. He had sent to the Planning Officers photographs of the litter problems and Councillor Amy Whitelock Gibbs, a ward Councillor, was aware of the issues and had submitted a representation against the scheme.
Dr Abigail Woollard spoke against the proposal. She stressed the importance of the commercial units to the residents of the development to provide essential services (such as a chemist and a nursery). There were approximately 1200 residents in the development and there was a lack of commercial facilities to support them. She considered that the previous conversion to residential units proceeded on the basis that these commercial units would be retained. So this was the last chance for the residents to save some commercial use within the development. In response to Members, Dr Woollard stressed the benefits for residents of having services in the development. The nearest commercial units were some distance away, requiring a large detour to visit the nearest shops for essential, sometimes late at night. There was also the potential to provide much needed nursery and health care facilities within the commercial units that would be lost.
Ben Kelway spoke in support of the scheme on behalf of the applicant. He stressed that the application was for minor amendments to the scheme. He commented on the overall benefits of the Suttons Wharf North scheme including 206 affordable houses and a significant contribution to the Borough’s housing stock. The changes related to a small number of units in block B, granted consent in 2007 in very different market circumstances. The applicant’s assessment found that that there was currently no demand for commercial units at the site in view of the lack of footfall and ... view the full minutes text for item 6.1 |
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Full Planning Permission PA/13/01638
Proposal: Demolition and redevelopment to provide a mixed use development comprising two basement floors and between 2 - 14 storeys. The proposal provides 78 residential units (Use Class C3), 456 sqm Class A1, 359 sqm Class A1/B1/D2 and 1,131 sqm A1/A3/A4/D2 at basement and ground floor; parking, plant and ancillary accommodation; a central courtyard and accessible amenity roof terraces.
Recommendation: GRANT planning permission subject to any direction by the London Mayor, a legal agreement, conditions and informatives.
Conservation Area Consent PA/13/01644
Proposal: Demolition of 1-5 Chance Street and 28 and 30-32 Redchurch Street in conjunction with the comprehensive redevelopment of the Huntingdon Estate site to provide a mixed use development.
Recommendation: GRANT Conservation Area Consent subject to conditions and informatives.
Minutes: Update Report Tabled.
Pete Smith (Development Control Manager) introduced the report regarding Land bounded by 2-10 Bethnal Green Road, 1-5 Chance Street (Huntingdon Industrial Estate) and 30-32 Redchurch Street for the demolition and redevelopment to provide a mixed use development comprising two basement floors and between 2 - 14 storeys. The application also sought Conservation Area Consent for the demolition of 1-5 Chance Street and 28 and 30-32 Redchurch Street to facilitate the planning permission.
He also introduced the linked application (Agenda Item 6.3) regarding Land at Fleet Street Hill, London, for the redevelopment of the site to provide 34 residential dwellings of mixed tenure, the provision of 135 sqm of restaurant and 671 sqm of flexible commercial and community space, five car parking spaces plus other incidental works.
Note: It was agreed that the Committee would consider the presentations on the two schemes together (including the speakers cases, Members questions and debate) as the applications were closely linked. However, the Committee would vote on the items separately.
The Chair then invited registered speakers to address the Committee.
Objector’s Statements and Members Questioning
Robin Fellgett (Jago Action Group) spoke in opposition. He stated he was speaking on behalf of many residents. Whilst they supported the development of the Huntington Industrial Estate (HIE) site, the proposals was far too high and bulky and was out of keeping with the Conservation Area given the mid - rise nature of the surrounding buildings. Therefore it would harm the setting of area. The scheme breached many planning policies as noted in the Officers report.
He disputed the justification for the height to subsidise the number of affordable housing on the Fleet Street Hill site (FSH). The profit margins would be far in excess of what was needed to delivery the affordable housing as shown by the objectors own research. He considered that their proposal of a mid rise building (with a mixed tenure) would generate sufficient profit and should be considered. It would be possible to provide 80% of the floor space with a significant reduction in height, according to their research.
Any scheme should fit in with the Conservation Area, provide a mixed tenure with a reasonable profit. On this basis, he requested that the Committee refuse the HIE scheme but not the Fleet Street Hill Scheme subject to a greater mix in housing tenures.
In response to Members, he commented that the height of the HIE scheme would be 56 metres high. Therefore much higher than the surrounding buildings (including the Tea and Biscuit building and the nearby synagogue).
Rebecca Collings (Local resident and co-chair of OPEN Shoreditch) spoke in opposition to the schemes. She highlighted the experience of her organisation, as respected planning experts, with regards to commenting and changing major planning proposals. The consultation carried out by the application in February 2013 was misleading. The information consulted on suggested that the plans for the HIE site would be only a few stories higher than the Tea and Biscuit ... view the full minutes text for item 6.2 |
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Land at Fleet Street Hill, London, E2 (PA/13/01637) PDF 1 MB Proposal: Redevelopment of the site to provide 34 residential dwellings of mixed tenure (7x 1 bed, 12 x 2 bed, 8 x 3 bed, 6 x 4 bed and 1 x 5 bed) in buildings of part one, two, three, four and eight storeys.
The development includes the provision of 135 sqm of restaurant (Use Class A3) and 671 sqm of flexible commercial and community space (Use Classes A1, B1a, D1 and D2), five car parking spaces plus other incidental works.
Recommendation: GRANT planning permission subject to any direction by The London Mayor, a legal agreement, conditions and informatives.
Minutes: For the summary of this application, see the previous item.
On a vote of 4 in favour of the Officer recommendation and 5 against the Committee RESOLVED:
That the Officer recommendation to grant planning permission (PA/13/01637) at Land at Fleet Street Hill, London, E2 be NOT ACCEPTED for the redevelopment of the site to provide 34 residential dwellings of mixed tenure (7x 1 bed, 12 x 2 bed, 8 x 3 bed, 6 x 4 bed and 1 x 5 bed) in buildings of part one, two, three, four and eight storeys. The development includes the provision of 135 sqm of restaurant (Use Class A3) and 671 sqm of flexible commercial and community space (Use Classes A1, B1a, D1 and D2), five car parking spaces plus other incidental works.
The Committee were minded to refuse the application due to concerns over:
· The failure to provide a mixed and balanced community given the concentration of affordable housing within the proposed development and the overprovision of private sale within the linked application for Huntingdon Industrial Estate (PA/13/01638, PA/13/01644). · The suitability of the site for family housing given the security and environmental challenges within the area and noise and vibration from the nearby railway lines. · The commercial units particularly whether the units could be sustainable and viably occupied.
In accordance with Development Procedural Rules, the application was DEFERRED to enable Officers to prepare a supplementary report to a future meeting of the Committee, setting out proposed detailed reasons for refusal, along with the implications of the decision.
The Councillors that voted on this item were Councillors Helal Abbas, Rajib Ahmed, Carli Harper –Penman, Denise Jones, Zara Davis, Kabir Ahmed, Md Maium Miah, Joshua Peck and Peter Golds.
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Planning Appeal - Poplar Business Park, Prestons Road E14 (PA/11/03375) PDF 75 KB Recommendation: To note the details and outcomes of the Poplar Business Park appeal as outlined in the report.
Minutes: Pete Smith (Development Control Manager) presented the item. He explained the key outcome of the appeal.
In summary, the appeal was allowed on the basis of a 20% affordable housing level by floor area (21% by habitable room) – a total of 71 units (47 affordable rent and 24 intermediate). It also agreed with a S.106 package of £2,646,222; an additional £882,361 compared to the scheme reported to Strategic Development Committee.
Notwithstanding this, the level of affordable housing was less than that offered by the developer when the case was determined by the Strategic Development Committee in April 2012.
On a unanimous vote, the Committee RESOLVED:
That the details and outcomes of the Poplar Business Park appeal as outlined in the report be NOTED.
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