Agenda item
Site at 82 West India Dock Road and 15 Salter Street, London (PA/09/2099)
Decision:
On a vote of two for and five against, it was –
RESOLVED
That the Officer recommendation to grant planning permission for erection of a part 3, 14 and 16 storey building on the site at 82 West India Dock Road and 15 Salter Street, London, to provide a 252 hotel and incorporating meeting/conference rooms, restaurant, café and bar as well as formation of a drop-off area and servicing access off Salter Street be NOT ACCEPTED.
The Committee indicated that they were minded to refuse the planning application because of concerns over:
- The height, bulk and mass of the proposed building.
- Possible inadequacy of the degree of public consultation undertaken.
- Loss of street car parking spaces.
- hotel use was incompatible with the residential nature of the area.
In accordance with Development Procedural Rules, the application was DEFERRED to enable Officers to prepare a supplementary report to a future meeting of the Committee setting out proposed detailed reasons for refusal and the implications of the decision.
Minutes:
Ms Laura Webster, Planning Officer, introduced the report regarding the application for planning permission for development of a vacant site at 82 West India Dock Road and 15 Salter Street to erect a 3, 14 and 16 storey building providing a 252 room hotel, incorporating meeting/conference rooms, restaurant, café and bar, along with formation of a drop-off area and servicing access off Salter Street.
Councillor Francis expressed concern at the mitigation measures. He considered that, whilst the proposal to provide affordable homes was welcomed, the mitigation measures did not go far enough given the scale of the proposal and the impact on the local area. He queried whether any other requests were made of the developer in terms of the Section 106 agreement.
Members also expressed concern about the loss of parking; queried where the coaches and large vehicles would park; how they would access/leave the site as the streets were narrow, and considered that the majority of hotel guests would use cars not the DLR. It was also considered that there were a large number of residential properties nearby, therefore a hotel would not be in keeping with the local area.
Members also queried the impact on 1-44 Compass Point and considered that there would be a loss of sunlight/day light and overshadowing. Members also queried whether all of the neighbouring properties had been consulted.
In reply officers reported that:
- The section 106 agreement clarified the circumstances in which a planning obligation could be sought.
- Officers had carefully considered the access arrangements, which had been discussed with the Highways engineers and approved by the Highways departments. They also complied with GLA access policies. HGV and coach parking arrangements were considered suitable.
- In relation to the consultation exercise, 265 of the neighbouring properties had been consulted by letter and two notices were put up. Adverts were also placed in the local press. A widespread consultation exercise was carried out and a large number of local residents were supportive of the proposals.
- On balance it was considered that the proposals would not give rise to an unacceptable loss of local amenity.
- In terms of loss of daylight, the Council’s experts raised no objections and considered that the proposal was acceptable in this regard. It was not considered that there would be an overbearing impact on Compass Point, due to the distance away from the proposed scheme.
In summary, Members considered that the proposal would have an unacceptable impact on the surrounding area, notably Grenada House and others on that estate, and that there would be a loss of car parking spaces. With this in mind Members also felt that the mitigation measures were inadequate.
On a vote of two for and five against, it was –
RESOLVED
That the Officer recommendation to grant planning permission for erection of a part 3, 14 and 16 storey building on the site at 82 West India Dock Road and 15 Salter Street, London, to provide a 252 hotel and incorporating meeting/conference rooms, restaurant, café and bar as well as formation of a drop-off area and servicing access off Salter Street be NOT ACCEPTED.
The Committee indicated that they were minded to refuse the planning application because of concerns over:
- The height, bulk and mass of the proposed building.
- Possible inadequacy of the degree of public consultation undertaken.
- Loss of street car parking spaces.
- Hotel use was incompatible with the residential nature of the area.
In accordance with Development Procedural Rules, the application was DEFERRED to enable Officers to prepare a supplementary report to a future meeting of the Committee setting out proposed detailed reasons for refusal and the implications of the decision.
Supporting documents: