Agenda item
45 Millhabour, London (PA/11/00798)
Decision:
Update Report Tabled.
On a unanimous vote the Committee RESOLVED
1. That the application for planning permission be GRANTED at 45 Millhabour, London (PA/11/00798) for the demolition of existing buildings and erection of a part 7 storey & part 14 storey mixed use building comprising 880sq.m of ground floor commercial (A2/A3/B1) floorspace, 132 residential flats (C3), ground level public open space and associated underground parking subject to.
A. Any direction by The Mayor of London
B. The prior completion of a legal agreement to secure the planning obligations detailed in the report.
2. That the Corporate Director Development & Renewal is delegated power to negotiate the legal agreement indicated above.
3. That the Corporate Director Development & Renewal is delegated power to impose conditions and informatives on the planning permission to secure the matters detailed in the report.
4. That if, within three months of the date of this committee the legal agreement has not been completed, the Corporate Director of Development & Renewal is delegated power to refuse planning permission.
Minutes:
Update Report Tabled.
Before the consideration of this item, Mr Pete Smith, Development Control Manager drew attention to two new policy documents. The ‘Managing Development’, Development Plan Document and the Fish Island Area Action Plan. He outlined their currents status. Where relevant, weight would need to be placed on them in future.
At the request of the Chair, Mr Pete Smith, Development Control Manager, introduced the application (PA/11/00798)) regarding redevelopment of the site at 45 Millhabour, London.
Mr Simon Ryan, Deputy Team Leader, Planning Services, made a detailed presentation of the application, as contained in the circulated report and update, including plans and a slideshow. Mr Ryan explained the site and surrounds falling within the Millennium Quarter and its current use. Part of the site was presently being used as a place of worship. He referred to the scope of the consultation resulting in 11 individual objections and the issues raised. The material consideration for consideration concerned land use, housing, design, amenity, transport, sustainability and the Section 106 agreement as set out in the report. On balance it was considered that the proposal complied with policy and was acceptable on all these grounds.
Mr Ryan also explained the housing mix. Overall it was considered that the scheme provided an acceptable level of affordable housing taking into account viability. Mr Ryan also described the amenity space in line with policy, the car parking plans and the S. 106 contributions.
In terms of the sunlight and daylight, Officers explained that results of the testing on nearby windows. Whilst there could be some impact on these properties including an impact on the outline plans for 47 Millhabour, on balance Officers did not considered that this outweighed the overall benefits of the scheme.
Regarding the current place of worship, the Charity were under the full understanding that lease arrangements were on a temporary basis. Officers had received a letter today from the Charity stating that they were in advanced negotiations to identify an alternative site for the place of worship and that this letter could be circulated to the Committee.
The Committee then raised a number of questions concerning:
- The source of the objections.
- The adequacy of the provision for 3-4 bed social units.
- The significant amount of development already in this area.
- Location of the social housing within the scheme.
- Clarification of the education and health contributions. In particular the division between primary and secondary school places. The consultation carried out with LBTH Children’s Services regarding feasibility of proposals.
- The loss of sunlight - specifically the properties affected.
- Further details of the children’s play space. The need for this to accommodate all age ranges.
- Acceptability of the density range.
- Access to the roof top terraces.
In response to these points, Officers referred to the policy for socially rented family units. Whilst the scheme fell short of the target, the overall provision for family units exceeded requirements. Any changes in the housing mix could put at risk its viability.
In terms of daylight and sunlight, Officers explained in greater detail the properties tested and the methods used including the vertical sky component (VSC) and the Daylight Distribution (NSL). Overall the vast majority of windows tested passed these two tests.
Officers emphasised the input of Children’s Services in preparing the education package. Children’s Services provided the figures, carried out the calculation and have the opportunity to comment on whether or not the proposal was adequate. In this case, they were supportive of the proposal and considered it would meet the additional demands
Officers also clarified the location of the affordable housing and their access to amenity space. The restrictions on access to the roof top terraces was purely due to physical layout. Details of the children’s play space would be secured by condition with a view to meeting the needs of the different categories of age groups.
The area had been identified in the Millennium Quarter Master Plan as a suitable for high residential development. Officers had assessed the overall impact of the scheme. Taking to account all the relevant impacts, they did not consider it bore any symptoms of overdevelopment
On a unanimous vote the Committee RESOLVED
1. That the application for planning permission be GRANTED at 45 Millhabour, London (PA/11/00798) for the demolition of existing buildings and erection of a part 7 storey & part 14 storey mixed use building comprising 880sq.m of ground floor commercial (A2/A3/B1) floorspace, 132 residential flats (C3), ground level public open space and associated underground parking subject to.
A. Any direction by The Mayor of London
B. The prior completion of a legal agreement to secure the planning obligations detailed in the report.
2. That the Corporate Director Development & Renewal is delegated power to negotiate the legal agreement indicated above.
3. That the Corporate Director Development & Renewal is delegated power to impose conditions and informatives on the planning permission to secure the matters detailed in the report.
4. That if, within three months of the date of this committee the legal agreement has not been completed, the Corporate Director of Development & Renewal is delegated power to refuse planning permission.
Supporting documents: