Agenda, decisions and 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
No. | Item |
---|---|
Election of Vice Chair for the Meeting To elect a Vice-Chair for the Committee for 2015/16.
Minutes: It was proposed by Councillor Helal Uddin and, seconded by Councillor John Pierce and RESOLVED
That Councillor Danny Hassell be elected Vice-Chair of the Strategic Development Committee for the remainder of the Municipal Year 2015/2016
|
|
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: No declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests were made.
|
|
MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING(S) PDF 90 KB To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Strategic Development Committee held on 4th June 2015.
Minutes: The Committee RESOLVED
That the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 4th June 2015 be agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.
|
|
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
|
|
PROCEDURE FOR HEARING OBJECTIONS AND MEETING GUIDANCE PDF 94 KB To NOTE the procedure for hearing objections at meetings of the Strategic Development Committee.
Minutes: The Committee noted the procedure for hearing objections and meeting guidance.
|
|
To note the Strategic Development Committee’s Terms of Reference, Quorum, Membership and Dates of future meetings as set out in Appendices 1, 2 and 3 to this report. Additional documents:
Minutes: The Committee RESOLVED
That the Strategic 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.
|
|
Proposal:
The demolition and redevelopment with four buildings: Building G1, a podium with two towers of 10 - 38 storeys and of 12 - 44 storeys; Building G2, a four floor podium with two towers of 34 and 38 storeys inclusive of podium; Building G3, a tower rising to 44 storeys; and Building G4, a four floor podium with a tower of 31 storeys inclusive of podium.
Recommendation:
That the Committee resolve to GRANT planning permission subject to any direction by The London Mayor, the prior completion of a legal agreement , conditions and informatives.
Additional documents:
Minutes: Councillor Danny Hassell (Chair)
Update Report Tabled.
Paul Buckenham (Development Control Manager, Development and Renewal) introduced the item reminding Members that the application was initially considered at the 4th June 2015 meeting of the Committee where it was resolved that it should be deferred for a site visit (held on 13th July) and to address four issues as set out in the Committee report.
Jerry Bell (Applications Team Leader, Development and Renewal) presented the report, addressing the four areas in further detail. He reminded Members of the site location, the existing site use and the proximity to the major developments nearby. He also described the key features and the layout of the proposal showing visual images of the various plans. In terms of the child play space, it was confirmed that the level proposed exceeded policy requirements by 564sqm and was of good quality, including a destination playground. Most of which would be located at ground floor level. There were also generous levels of community space including new parks.
In terms of the affordable housing, it was confirmed that the proposed rent levels complied with the Greater London Authority (GLA) affordably criteria at the upper levels
It was also confirmed that the servicing route was of sufficient width to allow two vehicles to pass (as shown by the highway assessment). Furthermore, whilst not a planning matter, that there had been meetings between Lanterns and the developer over the re-provision of the Lanterns facilities in the development. Whilst they continued to meet, no agreement had yet been reached. The latest position on this matter was set out in the update report.
In summary in view of the merits of the scheme and the above advice, Officers remained of the view that the scheme should be granted planning permission.
In response, Members expressed concern at the affordability of the three bed intermediate units given their removal from the 2 Millharbour scheme due to lack of affordability. Members doubted that they were genuinely affordable and questioned the evidence showing that they were.
Concern was also expressed at the overall level of the affordable housing (taking into account the proposed contributions, the new school and the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) relief). In view of these concerns, Members questioned the viability assessment and asked that it be explained in further detail, especially the factors taken into account and the scope for capturing further profit from the scheme should the market conditions improve. For example in the form of an overage clause.
Members also asked if a condition could be added to safeguard the D1 community use in the scheme, the discussions with Lanterns, the density of the scheme per hector given the Public Transport Accessibility Level rating (PTAL) and the level of mitigation for this.
Questions were also asked about the quality of the new school, the standards applied, the number of car parking spaces available for the family sized units. It was asked whether a condition could be added to secure a ... view the full minutes text for item 7.1 |
|
Application for planning permission (PA/14/03548)
Redevelopment of the former Nicholls and Clarke urban block and adjoining former depot site, Loom Court, and land and buildings north of Fleur de Lis Passage and Fleur de Lis Street, including retention and refurbishment of buildings, for commercially led mixed-use purposes comprising buildings of between 4 and 13 storeys to provide B1 (Office), A1 (Retail), A3 (Restaurants and cafés), A4 (Public house) and 40 residential units; together with new public open spaces and landscaping, new pedestrian accesses, works to the public highway and public realm, the provision of off-street parking, and ancillary and enabling works, plant and equipment.
The application is accompanied by an Environmental Statement, Addendum and other environmental information. The Council shall not grant planning permission unless they have taken the environmental information into consideration.
Application for listed building consent (PA/14/03618)
Works to the public highway (Fleur de Lis Street) including repair and replacement, where necessary, of the carriageway and pavement, installation of cycle parking, hard landscaping and all necessary ancillary and enabling works, plant and equipment.
Recommendation:
That the Committee resolve to GRANT planning permission subject to any direction by The London Mayor, the prior completion of a legal agreement to secure planning obligations and the conditions and informatives set out in the Committee report.
Minutes: Update Report tabled.
Paul Buckenham (Development Manager, Development and Renewal) introduced the application and the update report
The Chair then invited registered speakers to address the Committee.
Oliver Leigh-wood (Spitalfields Trust) and Alex Foreshaw spoke in objection to the scheme. They objected to the impact of the scheme on the Conservation Area given the proposed demolition of valued buildings, the height, scale and bulk of the replacement buildings out of keeping with the area and the uncertainty around reuse of materials. The impact of the scheme, especially the s1 plot would be far worse than the consented 2011 scheme, contrary to the Historic England report that underestimated the impact of the proposal and the damage to buildings. They also expressed concern at the affordability of the business units, displacement of businesses due to this and the lack of affordable residential properties.
The scheme had attracted over 500 objections many of which came from outside the Borough showing that the area was world known. There were only seven representations in support. Furthermore, the proposals only involved part of the site so it was likely that if approved the applicant would propose further development.
The current building could be easily converted and refurbished, given the standard of the buildings, with lower rentals due to the reduced costs of refurbishment with a lot less harm to buildings. The Trust had a successful track record with preserving historic buildings and the character of the areas and improving plans. However, the Applicant in this case had failed to consult.
In response to questions, it was noted that the national groups (such as Historic England) were generally supportive of the scheme whereas the local groups placed more emphasis on the importance of the buildings possibly due to greater local awareness and knowledge. Whilst they might lack original features, the buildings identified for demolition were generally in a good condition. In response to further questions, they expressed concern at the plans for the 1927 warehouse, recognised as a building of some merit in the Council’s Conservation Area policy. They also clarified their concerns about the scale of the development representing excessive development in a Conservation Area, low rise in nature.
Mike Wiseman and Ben Davies spoke in support of the scheme for the applicant. The plans would bring back into use a disused site, whilst recognising and preserving the historic buildings and the special character of the area. The measures to ensure this were explained including the delivery of high quality replacement buildings. The historic groups were supportive of the proposal such as CABE, Historic England and the LBTH Conservation experts.
Turning to other issues, the scheme would deliver much needed commercial space for start-up businesses and grow on units, lacking in the tech city area and would generate many new jobs.
In response to questions, the speakers explained in further detail their employment and training strategy with particular focus on creating opportunities for local residents.
They also answered questions about their business retention strategy ... view the full minutes text for item 8.1 |
|
Thirty-Eighth Floor, 1 Canada Square, London, E14 5AA (PA/15/01229) PDF 1 MB Proposal:
The change of use of Level 38, One Canada Square from Class B1 (Offices) to Class D1 (Non-Residential Institution)
Recommendation:
That the Committee resolve to GRANT planning permission subject to any direction by the London Mayor and the conditions and informatives set out in the Committee report.
Minutes: Update report tabled.
Christopher Stacey – Kinchin (Planning Officer, Development and Renewal) presented the report explaining the site location and the existing site use. The proposal was for the change of use of Level 38, One Canada Square from class B1 office space to class D1 (non residential institution). It was explained that whilst the proposed net loss of B1 Office space was not usually supported, it was considered that in this specific instance, there were reasonable grounds to support this given the very small loss of such space, the similarities between the B1 office space and the proposed D1 use and that the scheme would introduce a world class research and innovation centre that would support rather than undermine the Canary Wharf Preferred Office Location.
No objections had been received, the site had excellent transport links and there would be no adverse impact on amenity.
Given these issues, Officers were recommending that the planning permission be granted.
On a unanimous vote, the Committee RESOLVED:
1. That planning permission be GRANTED at Thirty-Eighth Floor, 1 Canada Square, London, E14 5AA for the change of use of Level 38, One Canada Square from Class B1 (Offices) to Class D1 (Non-Residential Institution)(PA/15/01229) subject to
2. Any direction by The Mayor of London
3. That the Corporate Director of Development & Renewal is delegated authority to recommend the conditions and informatives in relation to the matters set out in the committee report.
Councillors Muhammad Ansar Mustaquim and Gulam Robbani were not present for this item. |
|
Land at 160-166 Chrisp Street (PA/15/00039) PDF 2 MB Proposal:
Demolition of existing buildings on the site and redevelopment to provide new buildings ranging from three to thirteen storeys comprising 272 residential units, including affordable housing, together with associated car parking, landscaping and infrastructure works.
Recommendation:
That the Committee resolve to GRANT planning permission subject to the prior completion of a legal agreement to secure planning obligations and the conditions and informatives set out in the Committee report.
Minutes: Application not considered due to lack of time.
|
|
Proposal:
Demolition of all existing structures and erection of a mixed use development comprising flexible retail floorspace (2,010sq.m) at ground level (Use Classes A1-A3), with office (Use class B1) floorspace above (33,459 sq.m (GIA) contained within a single building of ground floor plus 17 storeys (and an additional two storeys of enclosed plant at roof level and two basement levels) allowing for a maximum height of 88.15m AOD to parapet, and associated public realm landscaping.
Recommendation:
That the Committee resolve to GRANT planning permission subject to any direction by The London Mayor, the prior completion of a legal agreement to secure planning obligations and the conditions and informatives set out in the Committee report.
Minutes: Application not considered due to lack of time. |
|