Agenda, decisions and minutes
Venue: Council Chamber - Town Hall, Whitechapel. View directions
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Note: This meeting was scheduled at the start of the municipal year to best meet anticipated planning application workloads. However, if there is no business to consider it may be cancelled.
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DECLARATIONS OF DISCLOSABLE PECUNIARY INTERESTS AND OTHER INTERESTS 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, Director of Legal and Monitoring Officer, Tel: 0207 364 4348
Additional documents: Minutes: There were no declarations of pecuniary interests. |
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MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING(S) To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Strategic Development Committee held on 09 October 2024. Additional documents: Minutes: The minutes of the Strategic Development Committee meeting held on 09 October 2024 were approved as a correct record of proceedings. |
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RECOMMENDATIONS AND PROCEDURE FOR HEARING OBJECTIONS AND MEETING GUIDANCE 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. Additional documents: 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 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 for the Strategic Development Committee. |
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DEFERRED ITEMS Additional documents: Minutes: There were no deferred items for consideration. |
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PLANNING APPLICATIONS FOR DECISION Additional documents: |
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PA/24/00243: 7 Brannan Street Additional documents: Minutes: The order of business on the agenda was changed at the meeting. This application was heard after item 6.1.
Update Report noted.
Paul Buckenham introduced the application for a redevelopment of the site to provide purpose built student accommodation with associated amenity space and Class E(a)(b) floorspace within a building of up to 46 storeys with basement; together with plant, car and cycle parking facilities, associated servicing, access and landscaping and all associated ancillary works and structures.
Nicholas Jehan provided a presentation to accompany the application, which highlighted the proposal’s site and surroundings. The proposal will provide 912 student bedrooms within a 46 Storey tower block with two levels of basement community spaces in the centre. There will be a mix of student bedrooms, studio properties and cluster rooms, as well as dedicated kitchens, post room and study spaces. The ground floor will provide an area for commercial use and a cafe.
Members were given background information on the plot. Approval was granted to Wood Wharf for an outline planning permission in 2014, This related to a master plan mixed use development which included offices, cultural facilities a new primary school, sports and medical facilities and residential properties. Initially the site was granted approval for C3 standard housing use. Construction began and to date 3,334 homes have received detailed consent via a Reserved Matters application. The outline permission stipulated a requirement to provide a minimum of 1,700 homes. Wood Wharf has already provided a considerable number of homes and is fully compliant with the requirements for Affordable housing.
Mr Jehan then noted that 294 letters were sent to residents and neighbouring businesses and a press notice and site notices were published and erected near the site. Two objections were received regarding car park provision and the future of Lovegrove walk, situated near the scheme. Details of the proposed landscaping and the two main policies concerning the land use were outlined. The applicant is seeking to introduce student accommodation, SH1 and DH6, an amendment to the C3 housing use initially approved.
The Committee were given details on the North Quay development, which has permission for up to 100,000 square metres of mixed use floor space. The applicant’s proposal includes an amendment application to vary the North Quay permission to exclude the student floor space from the approved mix of land uses. Therefore in combination, if granted the permission would effectively move a quantum of floor space from the North Quay scheme to the Wood Wharf development, via a Section 96A non-material amendment on the North Quay application. Permission can be obtained under delegated authority and is awaiting determination. If permission is granted, 67,000 square metres would remain on North Quay and 32,791 square metres of student accommodation floor space would move to Wood Wharf.
Details on the obligations were noted, including 35% of rooms to be affordable and majority secured via a nominations agreement, standard employment obligations, 25 construction apprenticeships, a Carbon offset contribution of £343, 867. The borough CIL will ... view the full minutes text for item 5.1 |
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PA/24/01241: Levels 48 & 49, One Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London, E14 5AB Additional documents: Minutes: Paul Buckenham introduced the application which proposed a change of use from Use Class E(g)(i) (Office) to Flexible Use Class F1 (Learning and Non-Residential Institution) / Use Class E (g)(i) (Office).
Nick Graves provided a presentation to accompany the application, which highlighted the proposal’s site and surroundings. It was noted that the proposal, if granted would result in the net loss of 4,138sqm of office floorspace. This loss, within a ‘Primary Preferred Office Location’ (PPOL), is not normally supported. However, in this specific instance, it is considered to be acceptable as the proposal would not undermine the supply of office floor space within the Canary Wharf PPOL.
In addition, a higher educational use is considered a Strategic ‘Central Activities Zone’ use. An educational provision of this type is also consistent with the uses that would be expected within a Metropolitan Town Centre.
Further to the presentation, the Committee asked questions to Officers regarding the following issues;
· Confirmed that the consultation was undertaken in conjunction with the statement of Community involvement and is fully compliant.
· Noted that University College London already occupy the building and wish to expand. The building itself has 115,000 square metres of lot space and this expansion is small in comparison.
Upon a unanimous vote of 7 for the application, the Officers recommendations as set out in the main report for the change of use from Use Class E(g)(i) (Office) to Flexible Use Class F1 (Learning and Non-Residential Institution)/ Use Class E(g)(i) (Office) were agreed.
It was therefore RESOLVED;
That the change of use application at Levels 48 & 49, One Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London, E14 5AB is GRANTED planning permission |
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PA/24/01636: Former Poplar bus Depot, Leven Road E14 0LN Additional documents: Minutes: Councillor Kabir Hussain left the Committee briefly but in doing so could not vote on this application.
Update Report noted
Paul Buckenham introduced the application to modify the S106 agreement dated 09/10/2020, to planning permission with reference PA/19/02148 dated 14/10/2020. A site notice has been displayed in accordance to regulations although if the modification to the S106 are agreed and any representations are received, the application will be brought back to the Committee for consideration.
Jane Jin provided a presentation to accompany the application, which outlined the site and surroundings. Background details were given on the site, initially part of the London trams network and later a storage facility. The original consented scheme had 532 residential units, 35% of affordable housing and commercial spaces with 22% of commercial space secured as affordable workspace.
Ms Jin noted that due to, adverse changes to the economy, material shortages, a housing provider withdrawing from the project and changes to fires safety regulations; requiring two staircases within buildings over 18 metres, works were suspended.
Members were informed that planning permission was granted by the Strategic Development Committee on 22 July 2020 for a residential development. Work initially began on site but stopped temporarily as the applicant has submitted a proposal to modify the affordable housing tenure and mix via the S106A agreement, in order to complete works on the scheme. All relevant development policies will still apply,
Details on the proposed differences in unit numbers for all tenures were provided, indicating that the shared ownership properties will be removed. However there will be increases with affordable rent units, family-sized affordable rented homes and Tower Hamlets Living rent provision. A Deed of Variation (DoV) will also include a ‘late stage’ review clause, to ensure any increase in value is captured
The proposal if granted will also ensure that Affordable rented units will be provided before the private homes. The applicant has also secured a contract with Clarion Housing to progress the scheme. The recommended is to approve the revisions to the Affordable Housing offer, finalise the recommended deed of variation to the original legal agreement under the S106A. In the event that objections are raised before the publicity period on the site notice expires, to bring the application back to the Committee for review.
Further to the presentation, the Committee asked questions to Officers and the applicant regarding the following issues;
· Acknowledged that the portion of affordable housing has been reduced. The developer’s contract with the housing provider is to deliver affordable housing. The S106 obligation's ‘Late Stage’ review ensures that any upward growth in the market is observed and housing is delivered.
· Explained that the reduction in the 11 affordable rent homes is compensated by more larger family sized units, more affordable rent and an earlier and quicker delivery of homes. Taylor Wimpey confirmed that works required under the modified S106 will commence within six months.
· Clarified that the removal of the 65 Intermediate properties and spitting them into private and rented units, ensures ... view the full minutes text for item 5.3 |
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OTHER PLANNING MATTERS Additional documents: |
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PA/21/02707: Whitechapel Road Development Site, Whitechapel Road, London E1 2BB Additional documents:
Minutes: The order of business on the agenda was changed at the meeting. This application was considered before item 5.1.
Paul Buckenham reintroduced the application to grant planning permission with conditions and planning obligations, for the redevelopment of the site, involving the 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 6,363sqm (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 would also involve the 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.
Lastly the development would 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).
Mr Buckenham provided a presentation to accompany the application and noted that on 09 October meeting the Committee resolved to grant planning permission for the application, subject to certain amendments to the proposed Section 106 heads of terms. This included the financial contribution, affordable workspace and clarification in regards to the Community Involvement Centre.
The Committee were advised that if the applicant were unable to agree the proposed amended heads of terms, or if there were any other legal issues, that a report would be brought back for further consideration. The applicant and Council sought separate legal advice, which both concluded independently that the Development Plan Policy is the correct approach to affordable workspace and a departure from the policy had not been justified. Amendment 3 would therefore not meet the statutory legal basis for planning obligations.
The Chair requested the report be brought back to the Committee to discuss the application and subsequent planning and legal advice from Officers. Members were requested to revoke the previous resolution and agree to changes to the heads of terms, recommended in the Officer’s report. Details of the proposed amendments at the previous meeting held on 09 October, the applicants position and the Officers advice were outlined to the Committee:
The Committee’s proposed amendments:
1. To amend the £2.5 million planning contribution to be worded more flexibly to read “2.5 million towards the ... view the full minutes text for item 6.1 |
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Additional documents: |