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 pecuniary interests, although Councillor Kamrul Hussain noted he represents Whitechapel ward.

It was proposed by Councillor Gulam Kibria Choudhury seconded by Councillor Iqbal Hossain and RESOLVED that:

1.    Councillor Kamrul Hussain be appointed Vice-Chair of the Strategic Development Committee for the Municipal Year 2023/2024.

The Strategic Development Committee RESOLVED to:

1.    Note it’s terms of reference, quorum, membership and meeting dates as set out in appendices 1,2 and 3 of the report.

2.    Agreed to hold all Strategic Development Committee meetings at 6.30pm in the Council Chamber for the municipal year 2023/24.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Strategic Development Committee held on 5^th April 2023.

The minutes of the Strategic Development Committee meeting held on 5 April 2023 were approved as a correct record of proceedings.

There are no deferred items.

There were none.

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 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 of the Strategic Development 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 the existing buildings and redevelopment of the site to provide a building ranging from basement, ground plus 19 storeys, comprising office (Class E (g)) and aparthotel (Class C1); associated cycle and car parking, hard and soft landscaping and other associated works.

Robin Bennett  provided a presentation to accompany the application, which highlighted the key features of the proposal’s site and surroundings. Details also included; the existing and proposed uses,  publicity and engagement, the proposed height and scale, the daylight and sunlight impacts to neighbouring properties and the planning obligations

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

·       Clarification on the number of apprenticeships provided. Details were given on the eleven apprentices outlined in the construction phase and one end user phase apprentice.

·       Further details on the 10 out of 19 neighbouring properties who will experience a reduction in daylight / sunlight. Officers confirmed that the impacts are negligible and only account for 9 out of 345 windows throughout the proposed building.

·       Clarification on why separate approaches to fire safety have been proposed for the office space and aparthotel. Officers explained that as the aparthotel’s use will differ from the office space, the ‘defend in place’ approach is more appropriate for applications of this nature.

·       Further details on the proposal with regard to the former Dispensary. Officers clarified that the design approach has been taken to reduce the impact on the historical building and respond appropriately to the townscapes  height and surroundings.

·       Clarification on the existing use of the building. Details were given on applications site, currently occupied by two office blocks bound by Camperdown Street to the north, Leman Street to the east and Alie Street to the south. These are independent buildings which adjoin and the ground floor is currently in use as a gentleman’s club.

·       Further details on the benefits the scheme will have to the borough. Officers outlined that if approved, the proposal will attract financial investment with retail and business opportunities. Incentives of 15% of office floorspace and 35% discounted rate for the lifetime of the development have also been proposed.  Modernising the existing build with affordable workspace and the aparthotel will generate visitors and bring employment into Tower Hamlets.

·       Clarification on the statutory public consultation. Details were given on the methods used to gain resident feedback on the proposal. This included mailing 189 letters, two site notices erected around the site and newspaper advertisements. No objections were received.

·       Queried if occupants at 55-57 Alie Street were consulted. Officers clarified that those properties are outside the boundary for consultation, They are over 40 metres away from the proposed site and the daylight/sunlight impact is less than 1%. The boundary recommendation requires 20 metres and the BRE guidance are metrics to measure impacts, so are negligible in this instance.

·       Further details on approximate staircase evacuation times in the event of a fire. Officers clarified  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.1

The update report for PA/21/01713 28-36 Leman Street, London E1 8EW noted.