Agenda item
Old Ford Lock, 51 Dace Road, London (PA/11/01263)
Decision:
Councillor Marc Francis moved an amendment to the recommendation, seconded by Councillor Kosru Uddin reducing the time period for the permission to 1st March 2012 to 31st October 2012 (from 1st January 2012 to 31st December 2012). On a vote of 5 in favour 0 against and 1 abstention, this was AGREED.
On a unanimous vote the Committee RESOLVED
1. That planning permission be GRANTED for the installation of a 25m temporary lattice mast, complete with 12 antennas and four dish antennas, associated radio equipment cabinets within a secure compound, for a period not exceeding 1st March 2012 to 31st October 2012 (as amended by the Committee) subject the imposition of the conditions and informatives set out in the report; and
2. That the Corporate Director Development & Renewal is delegated power to impose conditions and informatives on the planning permission to secure the matters set out in the report.
Minutes:
Pete Smith (Development Control Manager, Planning Services) introduced the report concerning Old Ford Lock, 51 Dace Road, London
The Chair then invited registered speakers to address the meeting.
Francis Luke spoke in objection to the application. Mr Luke reported that he lived near the Old Ford lock around 35 meters from the proposed mast. He considered that the area was largely residential. The view that it was largely industrial was out of date. Over 1000 people lived in the area and the signals from the mast would travel directly over them. Whilst the permission was for a year, the applicant could seek to extend it or could attempt to stay their longer on their own accord. The residents would then be subjected to a lengthy enforcement process trying to get the mast removed. The application should be rejected.
In reply from Members about the perceived health risks, Mr Luke considered that it was a large mast. He felt sure that the signals would affect him and his family.
MrBryan Passmore spoke on behalf of Vodaphone the applicant. He reported that the mast would cover the west of the Olympic Stadium. The Olympics were expected to produce an unprecedented demand for information. The coverage was required to delivery this. The mast would be shared by a number of operators. The applicant had held regular meetings with LOCOG to facilitate the project. Alternative sites around the Olympic Park and the surrounding area had been looked at and discounted as they did not offer adequate coverage. This was the only suitable location within the search area. It would preserve and fit in well with the area.
In reply to Members, Mr Passmore considered that this was a complex project. It was necessary to begin work on the project in January 2012 to allow enough time to properly install the mast.
Mandip Dhillon (Planning Officer) presented the detailed report. Ms Dhillon explained the site and surrounding uses, including the location of the residential properties. She also highlighted the outcome of the local consultation generating 23 objections. The applicant had carried out a full assessment of the area and were of the view that there were no other suitable sites in the defined search area other than the site proposed. Officers did not consider that the scheme would affect pedestrian access, given the reductions in the foot path and that it would impact on the conservation area. There was a condition to ensure that the mast would be removed no later than 31st December 2012 and that at which time, the site would be reinstated to its former standard.
In terms of the health issues, the applicant had submitted an up to date radiation certificate to demonstrate that the radiation levels were safe as required by policy. Therefore the scheme was satisfactory on these grounds. Officers also clarified the need for the preparation time to allow for the mast to be installed and tested before use.
In response, Members sought assurances that the time limit was enforceable given experiences with temporary permissions elsewhere overrunning. To avoid this, it was asked if the time period for the permission could be reduced to the lowest practical.
Accordantly, Councillor Marc Francis moved an amendment to the recommendation, seconded by Councillor Kosru Uddin reducing the time period for the permission to 1st March 2012 to 31st October 2012 (from 1st January 2012 to 31st December 2012). On a vote of 5 in favour 0 against and 1 abstention, this was AGREED.
On a unanimous vote the Committee RESOLVED
1. That planning permission be GRANTED for the installation of a 25m temporary lattice mast, complete with 12 antennas and four dish antennas, associated radio equipment cabinets within a secure compound, for a period not exceeding 1st March 2012 to 31st October 2012 (as amended by the Committee) subject the imposition of the conditions and informatives set out in the report; and
2. That the Corporate Director Development & Renewal is delegated power to impose conditions and informatives on the planning permission to secure the matters set out in the report.
Supporting documents: