Agenda item
2 Trafalgar Way, London
Decision:
Councillor Archer moved and Councillor Eaton seconded an AMENDMENT that the proposed off-site affordable housing contribution of £12.857m be ring-fenced to fund the building of new, additional housing in the borough not already planned. On a vote of 2 for and 4 against with 2 abstentions the amendment was defeated.
After considering the information in the officers’ report, on a vote of 7 for and 0 against with 1 abstention, the Committee RESOLVED:-
(1) That planning permission be GRANTED for the redevelopment of the site at 2 Trafalgar Way to provide a residential-led mixed use scheme including two towers of 29 storey and 35 storeys and comprising 414 residential units, re-provision of drive-through restaurant, retail/financial and professional service units, crèche, gymnasium, association residential and community amenity space and car parking, subject to:-
(a) Any direction by the Mayor of London;
(b) The prior completion of a legal agreement to secure the planning obligations listed at paragraph 3.1B of the officers’ report and in addition:-
- the provision of up to 3 car club parking spaces within the development.
(2) That the Corporate Director, Development & Renewal be delegated power to negotiate the legal agreement indicated above.
(3) That the Corporate Director, Development & Renewal be delegated power to impose conditions and informatives on the planning permission to secure the matters listed at paragraph 3.3 of the officers’ report.
(4) 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 power to refuse planning permission.
Minutes:
Mr Whalley introduced the application for consideration by the Committee. Jason Traves, Strategic Applications Planner, and Stephen Irvine, Development Control Manager, then presented the main elements of the proposal and the key planning considerations as set out in the officers’ report.
Members of the Committee asked questions about a number of issues arising from the application including the most productive use of the £12.857m contribution for off-site affordable housing; whether this was a material planning consideration; why the affordable provision was equivalent to only 35% and not 50% as normally required for off-site provision; when the affordable housing contribution would be paid; the provision of car club parking spaces on site; the proposed density of the development; and noise, vibration and disturbance from Aspen Way.
Officers responded as follows:-
· The affordable housing contribution could be used to buy-back properties but it would be more cost effective to grant aid an RSL to purchase additional affordable units on the open market.
· The proposals in relation to affordable housing did represent a material planning consideration
· A 35% affordable contribution was supported by the independent assessment of viability.
· The section 106 contributions would normally be payable in stages as the development was occupied
· Car Club provision had been considered but this was not appropriate on the highway in this location and alternative provision was available nearby. However if required, it would be possible to provide 3 such places in the development as part of the section 106 agreement.
· The high density scheme was considered an efficient use of the site that would result in no significant adverse impact given a number of beneficial aspects as outlined in the report.
· Noise mitigation measures included triple glazed windows to flats on floors 1 to 10 and fixed, un-openable windows and a mechanical ventilation system for the first 5 floors.
In response to a question from Councillor Abbas about the desirability of including affordable housing within mixed developments, the Chair stated that in this case the Committee had previously expressed concern about the provision of family accommodation at this location given the site characteristics and connectivity, noise and air quality issues and the modifications to the scheme sought to address this.
Councillor Archer moved and Councillor Eaton seconded an AMENDMENT that the proposed off-site affordable housing contribution of £12.857m be ring-fenced to fund the building of new, additional housing in the borough not already planned. On a vote of 2 for and 4 against with 2 abstentions the amendment was defeated.
After considering the information in the officers’ report, on a vote of 7 for and 0 against with 1 abstention, the Committee
RESOLVED:-
(1) That planning permission be GRANTED for the redevelopment of the site at 2 Trafalgar Way to provide a residential-led mixed use scheme including two towers of 29 storey and 35 storeys and comprising 414 residential units, re-provision of drive-through restaurant, retail/financial and professional service units, crèche, gymnasium, association residential and community amenity space and car parking, subject to:-
(a) Any direction by the Mayor of London;
(b) The prior completion of a legal agreement to secure the planning obligations listed at paragraph 3.1B of the officers’ report and in addition:-
- the provision of up to 3 car club parking spaces within the development.
(2) That the Corporate Director, Development & Renewal be delegated power to negotiate the legal agreement indicated above.
(3) That the Corporate Director, Development & Renewal be delegated power to impose conditions and informatives on the planning permission to secure the matters listed at paragraph 3.3 of the officers’ report.
(4) 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 power to refuse planning permission.
At this point (8.50 p.m.) the Chair adjourned the meeting. The Committee reconvened at 9.05 p.m.
Supporting documents:
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2 Trafalgar Way Report FINAL, item 7.2
PDF 6 MB
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2 Trafalgar Way Appendix 1, item 7.2
PDF 948 KB
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2 Trafalgar Way Appendix 2, item 7.2
PDF 960 KB