Agenda item
Victoria Park, London (PA/12/01007)
Decision:
Update Report Tabled
On a unanimous vote the Committee RESOLVED
1. That planning permission (PA/12/01007) Victoria Park, London at be GRANTED subject to:
A. Any direction by The Mayor of London
2. That the Corporate Director Development & Renewal is delegated power to impose conditions and informatives on the planning permission set out in the report.
Minutes:
Update Report Tabled.
Jerry Bell (Strategic Applications Team Leader) presented the report regarding Victoria Park, London (PA/12/01007).
The Chair invited statements from persons who had previously registered to address the Committee.
Patrick Hennigan spoke in objection to the proposal. He considered that this was the first time that he had received anything about events in Victoria Park. Residents have suffered for years with such events. The events only appeared to be held in the summer preventing people from properly enjoying the park. He objected to the impact on access routes. Particularly the Gun Makers Gate access which he considered was a much needed access route to the one o’clock club community centre. He also considered that the roadway through the park was an ancient right of way.
Overall, visitors would experience great difficulties in accessing the park and the community centre due to the constraints including the hoardings as well.
He referred to the mud levels at the park. Indeed, last Friday, he had to help three families with young children across the mud in the park. The mud levels were unbelievable. As a result, the park was an unsuitable location for the event.
He also objected to the impact from the trucks. He considered that given their weight, they would sink into the public pavement. He questioned why it was not proposed that they run on the hard pavements and that there weight should be restricted to 7 ½ tons not 30 tons as proposed.
Councillor Marc Francis also spoke in objection. He noted the above concerns about access. However he wished to concentrate on the hours of operation.
He drew attention to the representations from residents and ward Councillors that were taken to the Licensing Committee. He stressed that whilst they felt it essential they be addressed, they were not opposed to the principle of the event as it they welcomed the aim of widening access to Olympic events. They also recognised the one off nature and need for the event.
He referred to the petition sent to the Licensing Committee signed by 200 residents. He asked that the Development Committee strengthen further the restrictions imposed by the Licensing Committee. These were: that the hours for sale of alcohol be restricted to 10pm; live music to 9pm and the closing times to 11pm between Sunday to Thursday. He also proposed conditions to facilitate access thought the park and that the noise levels be limited further.
Patrick Loy (Live Nations) addressed the Committee in support of the application. He referred to the consultation letter sent by the event organisers to all residents right at the start of the process based on information supplied by LBTH. It was also proposed that a further letter would be sent out next week if granted with details of the support hotline for residents for the event and details of the Traffic Management Order for the road closure. He explained the plans to maintain access thorough the park. However he was happy to take up Mr Hennigans specific concerns. In relation to mud and rutting, the last 3 events at the park were held under exceptional weather circumstances and were not Live Nations events. It was proposed to use hard standing and vehicle tracks to prevent damage to the park grounds. There would be a programme of reinstatement after the event.
He considered that the concerns around the hours of operation (as raised by Councillor Francis) had already been thoroughly addressed by the Licensing Committee in considered the premises application. Full details of the delivery and servicing plans could now be provided. The applicant fully welcomed the cycle scheme (8.2 of this agenda) for the event that would relieve pressure on the public transport and road network.
In reply to Members about mud damage from vehicles, Mr Loy listed the products to be used to prevent this. This included metal roadways that left no trace on the grounds. In response to an earlier closing time, he stressed the need for the proposed closing times to allow complete coverage of events with flexibility for overrun as agreed by the Licensing Committee. An earlier closing time that ended coverage prematurely could compromise the credibility of the facilities. The schedule was governed by the LGOG timetable.
Nasser Farooq (Planning Officer) presented the detailed report assisted by a power point presentation. Also in attendance was Stephen Murray (Head of Arts and Events,) and Michael Rowan (Head of Parks and Open Spaces) to provide further advice.
Mr Farooq explained the scheme for use of the park between 18th July 2012 and 17th August 2012. He explained the site location, designation of the area, the ‘soft finishing times’ to ease entrances and exists and the nature of the events proposed. He explained the conditions to protect the sports pitches from permanent damage and the plans for the users affected to use alternative pitches. He also explained the conditions imposed by the Licensing Committee including those on capacity to allay the concerns.
Overall, given the support for the scheme in policy and its temporary nature, the scheme was considered acceptable and should be granted.
In response, Members noted the scrutiny undertaken of the plans by the Licensing Sub- Committee that had addressed many of the concerns under the Licensing regime.
They also raised questions regarding the following matters:
· The risk of damage to the grass.
· The impact on the sports pitches and users.
· The agents responsibility for repair works.
· The involvement of Officers in preparing the plans.
Officers addressed each point raised. They explained the operation of the metal tracks and how they would protect permanent damage to the grass. One taken up, the grass should return to its natural green state in a short space of time. They explained the measures to ensure the applicant fully reinstated the park grounds. Responsibility for this clearly rested with them. They described the measures for ensuring this including the holding of a bond (similar to a deposit for damage) and beyond this contractual obligations. Officers would carry out before and after inspections of the park to agree a programme of restoration.
The grounds comprised a number of summer and winter sports pitches. It was understood that only a small number of sports clubs used these pitches during the application period, based on Sport England information. Besides there were plans for the groups affected to relocate to other pitches locally during the period so that they could continue participating in their sports.
Officers had engaged extensively with Live Nations over the past two years. They have had considerable input into the plans and the conditions. Part of their role was to ensure the conditions were fully enforced. To facilitate this, there would be an on site Officer presence at all times at the event.
On a unanimous vote the Committee RESOLVED
1. That planning permission (PA/12/01007) Victoria Park, London at be GRANTED subject to:
A. Any direction by The Mayor of London
2. That the Corporate Director Development & Renewal is delegated power to impose conditions and informatives on the planning permission set out in the report.
Supporting documents: