Agenda item
Site at 58-64 Three Colts Lane and 191-205 (PA/11/00885)
Decision:
Update Report Tabled.
Councillor Marc Francis proposed an amendment seconded by Councillor Shiria Khatun, “That the car free agreement (condition g) in the legal agreement be deleted”. On a vote of 3 in favour 0 against and 2 abstentions this amendment was AGREED.
Accordingly on unanimous vote, the Committee RESOLVED
1. That planning permission for the demolition of existing buildings and erection of two blocks comprising a part 6, part 7 storey buildings plus basement for plant; to provide 1,762 sq.m of commercial floor space (Use Classes A1-A4 & B1) and 141 dwellings; provision of 9 on site parking spaces to side of service road and creation of access onto Buckhurst Street and Coventry Road be GRANTED subject to:
2. The prior completion of a legal agreement as set out in the circulated report subject to the removal of condition (g) car free Agreement.
3. Any other planning obligation(s) considered necessary by the Corporate Director Development and Renewal.
4. The full planning permission conditions and informatives as set out in the circulated report.
5. That if within 1 month of the date of this Committee the legal agreement has not been completed the Corporate Director Development & Renewal is delegated power to refuse planning permission.
Minutes:
Update Report Tabled.
Pete Smith, Development Control Manager introduced the report and tabled update concerning Site at 58-64 Three Colts Lane.
The Chair then invited registered speakers to address the meeting.
Councillor Sirajul Islam addressed the Committee. He stated that he was not opposed to the application in principle but had a number of questions about the S106 agreement. He wished to see it spent on local projects in the Bethnal Green South area. In considering the contributions, he requested the following:
- Health and Education. He was happy for this to be spent borough wide. However projects in the Bethnal Green South area should be prioritised if possible.
- Communities Facilities. Be allocated to Bethnal Green South area in particularly Collingwood Estate.
- Public Realm. Be allocated to traffic management schemes in his ward.
Overall he requested that Officers work with ward Councillors in allocating the contributions.
In response to the S106 issues, Officers clarified the assessment process requiring proposals to be considered by Communities Localities and Culture in accordance with the principles set out in the report. Officers would work with them and ward Councillors in considering how it should be allocated
Members then asked a number of questions of Councillor Islam.
Reference was made to traffic in the area. Specifically congestion caused by black cabs. A Member asked whether funding from (d) (Public Realm Contribution) could be put towards dealing with this specific issue in the area. In reply Councillor Islam stressed that officers should work with ward Councillors in addressing the traffic issue and that consideration should be given this request.
Simon Granger addressed the Committee in support of the application. The applicant had undertaken detailed consultation with the community and also the Council to secure a high quality scheme that addressed the concerns. This area was in need of regeneration and additional affordable housing to address local housing needs. The proposal was viable and included a high proportion of family sized affordable housing for local families.
Simon Ryan (Planning Deputy Team Leader) made a detailed presentation of the report and the update. He outlined the planning history and the results of the consultation. He also addressed the main planning considerations. He referred to a similar application submitted for this site in August 2010 now subject of Appeal. The Committee would be asked to consider this separately under 8.1 of the agenda.
Overall, the proposal would provide much needed affordable housing with additional commercial space. The scheme would regenerate the area without any significant impacts. In view of the benefits it should be supported.
The Committee raised a number of questions around: the impact on parking and transport; the on site recycling facilities; the acceptability of the affordability housing element given the policy target.
Officers address each question. In relation to affordable housing, Officers explained in detail the viability testing. The plans secured the highest number possible with a S106 agreement in view of viability. Anything higher could not be supported and would make it undeliverable. Given the benefits of the scheme in terms of family sized housing and contributions, the proposal of 32% was considered acceptable.
In relation to the accumulation of black cabs in the local area, Officers were aware of this issue and there were strict measures in place and also policies in the Core Strategy aimed at addressing such issues. Careful consideration would be given to the Committees remarks regarding use of the contributions to deal with this issue.
The development would be car free. The occupiers would also be prevented from obtaining parking permits. A total of 9 parking spaces would be provided with 2 disabled bays. The site had an excellent Public Transport Level rating.
Accordingly a Member moved an amendment to the conditions that (c) of the Financial Contributions (Community Facilities) be allocated to the Bethnal Green South area only. The motion fell.
Concern was also expressed at the car free agreement given the importance of cars to families who often relied on them. For example for school trips. It was also felt that there was sufficient parking provision in this area to accommodate the scheme. Councillor Francis moved an amendment to the proposals seconded by Councillor Shiria Khatun, “That the car free agreement (condition g) in the legal agreement be deleted”. On a vote of 3 in favour 0 against and 2 abstentions this amendment was AGREED.
Accordingly on unanimous vote, the Committee RESOLVED
1. That planning permission for the demolition of existing buildings and erection of two blocks comprising a part 6, part 7 storey buildings plus basement for plant; to provide 1,762 sq.m of commercial floor space (Use Classes A1-A4 & B1) and 141 dwellings; provision of 9 on site parking spaces to side of service road and creation of access onto Buckhurst Street and Coventry Road be GRANTED subject to:
2. The prior completion of a legal agreement as set out in the circulated report subject to the removal of condition (g) car free Agreement.
3. Any other planning obligation(s) considered necessary by the Corporate Director Development and Renewal.
4. The full planning permission conditions and informatives as set out in the circulated report.
5. That if within 1 month of the date of this Committee the legal agreement has not been completed the Corporate Director Development & Renewal is delegated power to refuse planning permission.
Supporting documents: