Agenda item
Ground floor, 248 Westferry Road, London, E14 3AG (PA/11/00546)
Decision:
Update Report tabled.
On a vote of 4 in favour and 0 against and 1 abstention, the Committee RESOLVED
1. That planning permission for the variation of condition 1 (hours of operation) – 08:00am to 22:45pm Mondays to Saturdays (inclusive) and not on Sundays or Bank Holidays, of planning permission T/96/00369, with proposed new hours of operation: 08:00am – 22:45pm Monday to Sunday; together with 04:00am – 08:00am (for a maximum of 10 worshippers) Monday to Sunday be GRANTED subject to conditions set out in the circulated report.
2. That the Corporate Director Development & Renewal be delegated power to impose conditions and informatives on the planning permission to secure the matters listed in the circulated report.
Minutes:
Update Report tabled.
Pete Smith, Development Control Manager introduced the report concerning the application for planning permission at Ground floor, 248 Westferry Road, London, E14 3AG (PA/11/00546) He also drew attention to the update (tabled), which amongst other things, updated policy to reflect the new ‘London Plan 2011’.
The Chair then invited registered speakers to address the meeting.
Charles Walker stated that he was present to represent the residents of Burrells Wharf Square. He raised several concerns about the extension of hours. It would create late night disturbance when residents were sleeping. He doubted that additional worshippers would travel to the centre by foot. Conversely the plans would intensify existing parking problems in the area. The streets affected were residential streets. They simply could not cope with such additional pressure. The bus routes mentioned in the report were not 24/7 and did not run during the extended hours. Anti social behaviour was also a problem as evidenced by the previous incidence and Police action. He felt that the 1996 planning permission should be maintained and that the Committee should undertake a site visit prior to making a decision.
In response to questions from Members, Mr Walker considered that the surrounding area was predominantly residential in nature. There was an assault at the site and this was then subject to Police action.
Ryan Fuller addressed the Committee in support of the application. This was an important community facility. The extended hours would allow worshippers to pray in accordance with their faith. The report addressed all concerns. The premises operated lawfully with no complaints in the last 15 years and would continue to do so. Disturbance from the extra worshippers would be undetectable given the restrictions on noise. Furthermore the attendees of the centre lived within walking distance of the premises and would walk. Therefore, noise from the vehicles would be negligible. Mr Fuller requested that the application should be granted. In reply to questions, he referred to the noise restrictions ensuring quite prayer early in the morning.
Richard Murrell (Deputy Planning Team Leader) presented the detailed report and the update. He explained the planning history, site and surrounding area and the existing and proposed hours of operation. He addressed the main issues and objections. Overall the proposals complied with policy on all of these ground with no significant adverse impacts.
Mr Murrell addressed the concerns around the bus times as covered in report. It had since come to light that the buses did in fact finish at approximately 1am in the morning. However it was still felt that the impact on traffic at that time would be insignificant.
The Committee then asked a number of questions regarding: the impact on parking; disturbance from vehicle activity; noise nuisance early in the morning; experience with other centres with early morning prayer times and the measures available to prevent breaches of the conditions.
In response, Mr Murrell reiterated that the conditions would restrict the number of users at the early hours and this would limit any amenity impacts even if users did come by car instead of walking. The majority of worshippers would travel to the centre on foot with minimal car use. The conditions would be monitored for compliance and could easily be enforced. Other Prayer facilities had been granted permission with similar opening times, and there had been no need for enforcement action to be used to enforce the hours so far as Mr Murrell was aware.
On a vote of 4 in favour and 0 against and 1 abstention, the Committee RESOLVED
1. That planning permission for the variation of condition 1 (hours of operation) – 08:00am to 22:45pm Mondays to Saturdays (inclusive) and not on Sundays or Bank Holidays, of planning permission T/96/00369, with proposed new hours of operation: 08:00am – 22:45pm Monday to Sunday; together with 04:00am – 08:00am (for a maximum of 10 worshippers) Monday to Sunday be GRANTED subject to conditions set out in the circulated report.
2. That the Corporate Director Development & Renewal be delegated power to impose conditions and informatives on the planning permission to secure the matters listed in the circulated report.
Supporting documents: