Agenda item
Regents Wharf, Wharf Place, London E2 9BD (PA/11/00834)
Decision:
Update Report Tabled.
On a unanimous vote the Committee RESOLVED
1. That planning permission be GRANTED for theerection of a new one bedroom dwelling within part of the basement parking area subject to conditions.
2. That the Corporate Director of Development & Renewal is delegated power to impose conditions [and informative] on the planning permission to secure the matters set out in the circulated report.
Minutes:
Update Report Tabled.
Pete Smith (Development Control Manager, Planning Services) introduced the report concerning Regents Wharf, Wharf Place, London E2 9BD.
The Chair then invited registered speakers to address the meeting.
Graham Hindley spoke in objection as a resident and Chair of the Regents Wharf Residents Association. He objected over the loss of car parking spaces. The spaces to be removed were not disused as suggested in the report. The reduced manoeuvring space fell short of policy requirements. The proposal also contravened the occupiers lease agreement granting them the right to park in the basement. The steel steps would be noisy and out of keeping with the canal setting. The gaps in the building would create security issues. The drawings were inaccurate. There was no evidence that Conservation Area Consent had been sought. The external windows would be out of keeping with the Conservation Area.
Furthermore, Building Control had yet to approve the plans in respect of ventilation. There was no evidence that British Waterways had looked at the scheme. The scheme contradicted policy and with 37 objections should be refused.
In reply to questions, Mr Hindley clarified his concerns over the car park. The plans would restrict the area used for turning and therefore would hinder manoeuvring. It also was unclear where the planned new parking spaces would be located.
Nader Sarabadani spoke in support of the application. In terms of land use, the proposal complied with policy. The alterations would improve and fit in with the area. The concerns around the steel steps had been taken on board and they had been designed to prevent noise and fit in. The car park was underused and the issues around the leaseholders agreement fell outside the remit of the planning considerations. There would be adequate space for turning in the basement car park. In considering the Appeal, the Inspectorate did not considered that car parking was an issue. Flooding wasn’t an issue due to the flats position. The Applicant planned to add new storage bins to accommodate the development.
Richard Murrell (Deputy Team Leader, Planning Services) presented the detailed report. Mr Murrell explained the site location and nature of the surrounding area. He explained the key features of the conversion including: the external windows replacing the ventilation grills, the steel staircase, the access arrangements and amenity space by the canal. In relation to the loss of parking spaces, Officers were of the view that they were underused and the site had good public transport links. There was a condition requiring the car parks layout to be provided. In terms of the Conservation Area, the impact was felt to be acceptable given the changes were minimal and it was in keeping with the area. Mr Murrell referred to the Appeal decision for the similar scheme refused in 2010 (attached to the report).Following the revisions, only one matter remained an issue. The revised scheme sought to address this.
The other key planning issues concerned amenity and highways and on all these grounds the scheme was acceptable complied with policy and should be granted.
The Committee then raised questions regarding: the adequacy of the revised manoeuvring room in the car park, the policy permitting basement conversions, the impact on access to neighbouring flats and whether the flat would receive adequate natural light.
Mr Murrell referred to the proposed car park layout. The bays to be converted were currently underused and had already been sectioned off. The condition regarding its layout was to ensure it was safe on highway safety grounds. Due to the design, the flat would have clear outlooks over the canal and therefore provide a good standard of amenity. The windows were of an adequate size allowing sufficient levels of natural light. The leaseholder arrangements were separate from the planning matters. Officers did not consider there would be any impact on access to other units..
On a unanimous vote the Committee RESOLVED
1. That planning permission be GRANTED for erection of a new one bedroom dwelling within part of the basement parking area subject to conditions.
2. That the Corporate Director of Development & Renewal is delegated power to impose conditions [and informative] on the planning permission to secure the matters set out in the circulated report.
Supporting documents:
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Regents wharf PA-11-00834 Cttee Report, item 7.1
PDF 786 KB
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Regents Wharf - Appendix 1, item 7.1
PDF 107 KB