Agenda item
554-556 Roman Road, London E3 5ES (PA/13/00766)
Decision:
On a vote of 4 in favour and 1 against, the Committee RESOLVED:
1. That planning permission (PA/13/00766) at 554-556 Roman Road, London E3 5ES be GRANTED for change of use from a grocery store (A1 use), to a mixed class coffee shop (A1/A3 use) and associated alterations to shop front subject to:
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.
Councillor Peter Golds could not vote on this item as he had not been present from the start of the item.
Minutes:
The Committee considered the scheme regarding 554-556 Roman Road, London E3 5ES (PA/13/00766)
The Chair invited the registered speakers to address the Committee.
Councillor Marc Francis spoke in objection to the application. He stated that whilst local Councillors and residents supported the regeneration of Roman Road, any development needed to be right for the area. They were opposed to more pawnbrokers and fast food outlets there.
He considered that there was already an overconcentration of A3 outlets in the area with many opening in the last year and more planned. The assessment was inaccurate in terms of its statement that there were no other A3 uses in the block. There was a café at 566 and also in the Idea Store at Gladstone Place. There was also the nearby café at the Time Capsule and Tyson’s Kitchen takeaway amongst other A3 uses. He requested that the Committee limit such uses and refuse the application.
Antony Tagliamonti spoke in support as the applicant. He reported that the applicant could gain permission for the plans under permitted development rights for two years. However, they wished that it be granted for a longer length of time. It was anticipated that the shop would be operated by a local company. There was evidence that the addition of a café to an area would promote regeneration as shown elsewhere and by the assessment in the application.
Iyabo Johnson (Planning Officer) gave a detailed presentation of the proposal.
The proposal sought to convert the existing A1 use to a combined A1/A3 use The unit was currently vacant and fell within the Roman Road Market Conservation Area.
A number of concerns had been raised in response to the local consultation. The issues concerned the overprovision of cafes on Roman Road and noise disturbance amongst other issues.
The proposal was acceptable in terms of land use. There would be no wholesale loss of an A1 unit. The overall provision of such uses in the area would continue to be in excess of the policy target of 50%. It was also considered that the addition of the A3 use would not result in overconcentration given there were at least two non A3, A4 and A5 units between it and the nearest such units as required in policy. There were conditions to protect amenity. This included restrictions on the hours of use, delivery hours, music and an outright ban on cooking on the premises.
Overall, Officers considered that the proposal was acceptable and should be granted.
In response to Members, it was confirmed that whilst a condition would be imposed to prevent the preparation of hot foods, heating up such snacks as sandwiches would be allowed. The waste and recycling bins would remain at the rear of the store and it was considered that these plans were acceptable. Highways had not raised any objections about the scheme. Responsibility for dealing with waste on the highway rested with Community, Localities and Culture. The service had not raised any concerns about increased litter from the proposal or litter problems generally on Roman Road.
On a vote of 4 in favour and 1 against, the Committee RESOLVED:
1. That planning permission (PA/13/00766) at 554-556 Roman Road, London E3 5ES be GRANTED for change of use from a grocery store (A1 use), to a mixed class coffee shop (A1/A3 use) and associated alterations to shop front subject to:
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.
Councillor Peter Golds could not vote on this item as he had not been present from the start of the item.
Supporting documents: