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Agenda item

14 Fieldgate Street and 7-9 Plumbers Row, London E1

Meeting of Development Committee, Wednesday, 2nd July, 2008 7.30 p.m. (Item 7.3)

Decision:

On a vote of 6 for and 1 abstention, the Committee RESOLVED that planning permission for the demolition of existing buildings and structures on site and redevelopment for mixed use purposes comprising a nine storey building for commercial use (Class A1/B1) at ground floor level; student accommodation at upper floors; nine residential units; car parking; access; servicing; and arrangements at 14 Fieldgate Street and 7-9 Plumbers Row, London E1 be GRANTED subject to

A. The prior completion of a legal agreement to secure the following planning obligations:

a) £100,000 to improvements to Altab Ali Park

b) £50,000 to local environmental and highway improvements

c) £75,000 to local community facilities

d) Green Travel Plan

e) Maximising Employment of Local People

f) Car free development

g) Any other planning obligation(s) considered necessary by the Corporate Director Development & Renewal

B That the Corporate Director Development & Renewal be delegated authority to negotiate the legal agreement indicated above.

C That the Corporate Director Development & Renewal be delegated authority to impose conditions and informatives on the planning permission to secure the following matters:

Conditions

1) Time Frame

2) Construction Hours

3) Contaminated Land

4) Car /Cycle parking

5) Energy Strategy

6) Materials/ Detailing

7) Landscaping

8) Highway Works

9) Secured by Design Statement

10) Details of green roof and options for inclusion of bird/ bat bricks

11) Inclusive Access

12) Archaeological advice

13) Construction Management Plan

14) Any other planning condition(s) considered necessary by the Corporate Director

Development & Renewal

Informatives

1) Section 106 agreement required.

2) Section 278 (Highways) agreement required

3) Construction Environmental Management Plan Advice

4) Any other informative(s) considered necessary by the Corporate Director Development & Renewal.

D That, if within 3-months of the date of this Committee the legal agreement has not been completed, the Corporate Director Development & Renewal be delegated authority to refuse planning permission.

Minutes:

Mr Michael Kiely, Head of Development Decisions, introduced the site and proposal for the demolition of existing buildings and structures on site and redevelopment for mixed use purposes comprising a nine storey building for commercial use (Class A1/B1) at ground floor level; student accommodation at upper floors; nine residential units; car parking; access; servicing; and arrangements at 14 Fieldgate Street and 7-9 Plumbers Row, London E1.

Mr Usama Ward spoke on behalf of the Mosque Tower. He informed the Committee that the organisation had originally been concerned about the impact of the student behaviour on the mosque and the elderly residents in the surrounding area. However, after discussions with the applicant his fears had been allayed and therefore the objection had been withdrawn.

Mr Matthew Gibbs spoke on behalf of the applicant, endorsing the officer’s report and outlining the benefits of the scheme.

Mr Terry Natt, Strategic Applications Manager, presented a detailed report on the application. He corrected the figure stated in the report in respect of the number of residential units, which should read 5 x 1 bedroom and 4 x 3 bedroom. He advised that the two objections received to the scheme had been withdrawn.

Members asked questions relating to the Section 106 contributions towards community facilities, as it was felt that there were other centres closer to the development which could also benefit. Concerns were raised relating to the affordability of the student accommodation and the loss of employment use and the creative industry.

The Committee was advised that the Local Area Partnership would be consulted in respect of the distribution of S106 monies to local community facilities, and that the views expressed by Members would be considered. 20 people were currently employed on site and the number would increase to 65 if the scheme was approved. Mr Natt informed the Committee that the area was not a designated creative industry area in the UDP. However, the Council did consider it important to retain such industries where possible. The cost of the student accommodation would be determined by market forces and its affordability would be related to the ability of students to pay.