Agenda item
Millwall Park, Manchester Road, London, E14 (PA/12/00252)
Decision:
On a vote of 6 for and 0 against with 2 abstentions the Committee RESOLVED
1. That planning permission (PA/12/00252) be GRANTED at Millwall Park, Manchester Road, London, E14
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 Committee report.
Minutes:
Pete Smith (Development Control Manager) presented the application Millwall Park, Manchester Road, London, E14 (PA/12/00252)
The Chair invited registered speakers to address the Committee.
David Lyon spoke in objection to the application. He considered that the plans were an intrusion to residents and the park. The park was well used especially during this time in question as it was the school holiday period. As stated by the applicant, there was a risk that the mast might be subjected to sabotage or demonstration. This was clearly unacceptable. Furthermore key groups such as the Millwall Park and Island Gardens Users Groups had not been consulted. The aims could be achieved by locating the mast in Greenwich park. The site was in a designated area. Helicopters could fly into the camera cable and bring the cable and helicopters down.
Councillor Tim Archer spoke in objection to the application. Residents didn’t understand the need for this application. The report says this was only acceptable on a temporary basis. However why should the park have to suffer the impacts for any length of time? The Millwall Park Island Gardens Users Group had not been consulted.
Councilor Archer questioned whether the time length was necessary. The alternatives needed to be looked at. He expressed concern at the impact and damage to the park grounds. He sought assurances that it would be fully reinstated. He sought assurances about the impact on the football pitches. He doubted that that the helicopter activity would be restricted. He urged that the application be rejected. In response to Members about the impact on football pitches, he considered that they would be affected as they would be in use during the period. This was at a time when the Council should be encouraging full use of the park during the Olympic period.
Neil Smith spoke in support of the application on behalf of the applicant. He explained the need for the time period to allow time for the construction and dismantling. It would affect five areas of the park - a relatively small area of the park. He explained the proposed techniques to protect the grass. There were conditions to ensure the park was fully reinstated as per a similar scheme successfully ran by the applicant in Greenwich. In response to Members questions about the consultation, Mr Smith replied that the applicant did consult with user groups and the school. The exact timescale for the reinstatement was dependant on the weather but would be done quickly as possible. In response to Members about use of the camera and privacy, Mr Smith assured Members that the scope of cameras did not cover residential properties. Capturing them was not the intention of the broadcasters.
Jeremy Edwards also spoke in support of the application. He emphasized the intention of the broadcasters to protect privacy. However the cameras would capture favorable views of areas in the Borough therefore showcase the Borough. The naval helicopter operators for the Thames had been in contact and it was known that the helicopter pilots were very qualified and there were no concerns about them obstructing the cable.
Mr Simon Ryan (Deputy Team Leader, Planning Services) presented the proposal assisted by a power point presentation. He explained the time scale for the scheme and the measures to fully reinstate the park. He explained the site location and the route of the camera cable outside the remit of residential properties. Given the time restriction and reinstatement plans, it was considered that the impact was acceptable. In terms of the consultation, the key agencies had not raised any objections about aviation safety.It was therefore recommended that the scheme be granted to facilitate the Olympic Games and provide positive views of the Borough.
Members raised questions about the impact on the football pitches, the measures to prevent misuse of the ropes/cables, the provision of contributions to mitigate impact and the risks of aircrafts hitting the cables. Assurances were sought about the safety measures to prevent this and the safety of the helicopters. It was also suggested that the mast should be painted a different colour to fit in better with the landscape.
Mr Ryan addressed each point. No sports pitches would be affected due to a mixture of location and lack of use during the summer period. The only mitigation sought was the reinstatement works for the park grounds. No further mitigation contributions were deemed necessary. There were measures to safeguard the installations. This included fencing around the scheme and 24 hour security patrols. The relevant experts had no concerns about the aviation safety. The camera cables were very robust and fit for purpose. The suggestion of painting the mast a different colour could be looked at. The applicant indicated that they would be happy to look at this.
On a vote of 6 for and 0 against with 2 abstentions the Committee RESOLVED
1. That planning permission (PA/12/00252) be GRANTED at Millwall Park, Manchester Road, London, E14
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 Committee report.
Supporting documents: