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Update report was tabled

Gareth Gwynne introduced the application for demolition of existing petrol filling station and associated retail store and erection of a four to six-storey building for a 157-bedroom hotel and ground floor/basement office use together with ancillary landscaping, servicing and cycle parking, highlighted issues in the update report.

Adam Garcia provided an overview of the site, including the current use,

Public consultation had been undertaken and the principles objections were noted around application resulting in over provision of hotel use, potential residential use and amenity issues.

•         In land use terms, the policy provided no protection for the petrol station, and in principal the hotel led use complied with policy.  In addition, it was not considered that the proposal would create an oversupply of hotels in the area or compromise the housing supply, based on the site’ location and the size of the hotel.

•         The design would respond well to the local area, and sought to re – establish the historic building line on Cambridge Heath Road. Details of design were noted including the transitions in building heights, the proposed materials to providing visual interest. It would constitute a high quality design.

•         In heritage terms, the scheme would respond positively/enhance the setting of the Bethnal Green Gardens Conservation Area, as well as the heritage assets and the Public House.

•         It was considered that the neighbouring properties would be unaffected in terms of amenity impacts.

•         The hotel rooms would have good outlook

•         The proposals had been designed to minimise overlooking to residential developments and result in limited impacts to sense of enclosure.

•         Cycle parking plans were in line with policy

•         The development would be car free with one accessible bay.

•         A servicing yard was proposed. A Stage 1 Safety Audit had been submitted for this new access route, and accepted by highway officers.

•         Planning obligations had been secured.

•         Officers were recommending that the planning permission was granted

The Chair invited the registered speakers to address the Committee.

Irfan Hussain, Hassan Hoque and Councillor Gabriela Salva-Macallan, a ward Councillor spoke in objection to the application.

Concerns were expressed about:

•         Developer’s consultation with local people particularly during the early lockdown period, given the nature of the proposal. (change of use)

•         Oversupply of hotels in the area/lack of demand for additional hotels

•         Evidence submitted by the objectors showed that the site could accommodate a residential development. This option should instead be taken forward given the need for housing/oversupply of hotels

•         Concerns over the design. This needed to be given further consideration.

•         Servicing issues.

Mike Ibbott spoke in support of the application, highlighting the following issues:

•         That the applicant had worked with the Council over many years to develop the application.

•         That the proposed land use met the key tests and satisfied the criteria in policy for the provision of a hotel use.

•         The need for a hotel in the area. Bethnal Green had a relatively modest number of hotels in the local area. The concerns about the oversupply related to the wider Whitechapel area.

•         The difficulties in providing a residential use on site, due to the site constraints and proximity to late night premises. This would be in conflict with the Agent of change policy.

•         That the proposal would be in keeping with the character of the Bethnal Green area, that had a ‘civic character’.

•         The other benefits of the scheme included the creation of employment, biodiversity enhancements and a secure by design accreditation. 

•         The applicant had done their best to consult with residents during the lockdown period and details of their consultation with residents and business were noted.

Committee questions:

The Committee asked a number of questions of Officers and the registered speakers summarised below

•         The Committee asked questions about alternative uses for the site, particularly a residential development.

•         It was noted that the applicant had looked at the possibility of the providing a residential development at the pre -application stage with Officers. However, given the concerns around the standard of accommodation (due the site constraints), as well as the need to optimise the development potential of the site, the applicant had opted to deliver a hotel led scheme.

•         Officers also expressed doubt about the  residential option due the site’s proximity to late night premises, and the potential for noise complaints from a nearby residential development.

•         In response to questions about such noise impacts, it was noted that the businesses may be subject to more noise complaints from a residential development than a hotel given the transient population of a hotel. This could impact on the businesses and cause a conflict with Agent of Change policy.

•         The objectors considered that a residential development would have a higher noise threshold.

•         Councillor Gabriela Salva-Macallan considered that these impacts could be addressed by conditions. For a number of reasons (oversupply of hotels in the area, the design) the site was unsuitable for the proposed use.

•         Regarding the supply of hotels in the area, the policy does not set any specific limits on the number of hotels in an area, instead this should be measured on its impacts.

•         Officers have had due regard for the objections, and the proposed alternative residential scheme and the study submitted. However due to the difficulties in providing family housing on the site, with for example acceptable child play space, Officers expressed doubt about these proposals.

•         The Committee must access the application before them on its merits with reference to the planning policy and the site allocation for this site, On this basis, the application was deemed by Officers as acceptable, and complied with policy given the factors outlined above.

•         Furthermore, given the site allocation and the lack of a current application for a residential scheme for the site, Officers did not consider that it would compromise the Council’s ability to meet the housing targets.

•         The Committee also briefly discussed the key differences between this site, (regarding the delivery of a residential scheme) and the nearby residential scheme at the Bethnal Green Mission Church given the quality of the residential housing and the community benefits on that site.

•         It was also noted that consultation had been carried out with residents in the usual way in accordance with requirements.

•         Regarding the green walls, the Council’s Biodiversity Officer had reviewed the proposals and the biodiversity enhancements. They were satisfied with conditions  requiring their prior approval of the plans.

•         The strategy for minimising carbon dioxide emissions was in compliance with policy requirements. 

•         Contributions had been secured for apprenticeships as set out in the conditions.

•         The applicant’s representative estimated that the development should deliver at least 60 new jobs.

•         Officers also provided confirmation of the status of the new use classes as detailed in the report. The Hotel uses continued to fall under Use Class C1 and the ground floor/basement office use would fall under the Use Class E in the new order.

On a unanimous vote the Committee RESOLVED:

1.       That planning permission is GRANTED at 319-337 Petrol Station, Cambridge Heath Road, London, E2 9LH for the following development

•         Demolition of existing petrol filling station and associated retail store and erection of a four to six-storey building (7,036m2 GEA) for a 157-bedroom hotel (6,458m2) and ground floor/basement office use (578m2 GEA), together with ancillary landscaping, servicing and cycle parking.

Subject to:

2.       The prior completion of a legal agreement to secure the planning obligations set out in the Committee report

3.       That the Corporate Director of Place is delegated the power to impose conditions and informatives to address the matters set out in the Committee report and the update report.