Agenda item
Ocean Estate Site H, west of Aston Street, including Allonby, Channel and Studland Houses (PA/13/02911)
Proposal: Demolition of existing buildings on site and construction of three residential blocks between two and thirteen storeys high comprising 225 residential dwellings (64 one-bed, 106 two-bed, 30 three-bed, 15 four-bed and 10 five-bed) with associated landscaping and basement parking
Recommendation: That the Committee resolve to GRANT planning permission subject to any direction by the London Mayor. prior completion of a legal agreement, conditions and informative(s)
Minutes:
Update Report tabled.
Paul Buckenham (Development Manager, Development and Renewal) introduced the application for planning permission for the demolition of existing buildings on site and construction of three residential blocks with associated landscaping and basement parking.
The Chair then invited registered speakers to address the Committee.
Tim Miller spoke in objection as an occupant of the property on the northern side of Matlock Street. Mr Miller objected to the loss of privacy from the proposed building. Specifically, the loss of light to his daughter’s bedroom, who required medical treatment in this room. His daughter had a right to natural light and privacy. In view of this, he requested that the windows of the new building, near his daughter’s bedroom, should be bay windows or that the building should be set back further. The separation distances to his property were 18 metres. In response to Members, he stated that he had put his concerns to the applicant and Council Officers. He was supportive of a condition that addressed the overlooking issues. This would address his concerns about the scheme.
Mike Tyrell from Tower Hamlets Homes and the Chair of the Ocean Regeneration Trust spoke in support of the application. Mr Tyrell welcomed the proposals that sought to replace low grade buildings with new affordable houses including family housing and high quality amenity space. Mr Tyrell highlighted the much needed improvements to the route to the Whitehorse Road Park that should encourage use. The design was sympathetic to the area. The scheme would protect amenity. In response to Members, he clarified the uplift in affordable housing.
Piotr Lanoszka (Planning Officer, Development and Renewal) presented the report. Mr Lanoszka explained the site location, the outcome of the local consultation, the proposed housing mix that was considered acceptable. Mr Lanoszka also explained the proposed layout, elevations, the quality of the outdoor space that would integrate the site with the surrounding area, the car parking plans and the good transport links for the site.
Mr Lanoszka described the impact on views from the key points. In particularly, the visibility of the proposal in the backdrop of the Grade 1 Church. Whilst there would be some impact in this regard, the specialists considered that, with careful management of the materials, the impact should be minimal. Mr Lanoszka also explained the planning obligations. It was considered that the proposed benefits outweighed the shortfalls in this regard. Given the overall benefits of the scheme, Officers were recommending that the scheme should be granted planning permission.
In response to Members, Mr Lanoszka explained the separation distances between the proposed building and the nearest properties which were at least 20 metres in compliance with policy. As a result, it was considered that the plans would not affect privacy. However, should the Committee consider that there were exceptional circumstances in this case, Members could impose an informative to mitigate the issues with overlooking raised by the objector speaking. With the permission of the Chair, the applicant confirmed that they were willing to work with the objector to address his concerns regarding overlooking.
Members then asked further questions. In response, Officers highlighted the process for allocating the financial contributions for projects. Officers also confirmed the engagement with Crossrail. Members were reassured that there were conditions to protect the amenity of the future occupants given the proximity to Crossrail tunnels. Officers also clarified the uplift in affordable housing in terms of unit numbers and habitable rooms.
The Committee also noted the policy support in the Core Strategy for locating a tall building in the area given the established pattern of development in the area and the status of the nearby Ben Johnson Road Town Centre.
The Committee agreed to add an informative to the application that the applicant work with the objector from Matlock Street to minimise the issues about overlooking to the objectors property from the new building.
On a unanimous vote, the Committee RESOLVED:
1. That planning permission atOcean Estate Site H, west of Aston Street, including Allonby, Channel and Studland Houses (PA/13/02911) be GRANTED for the demolition of existing buildings on site and construction of three residential blocks between two and thirteen storeys high comprising 225 residential dwellings (64 one-bed, 106 two-bed, 30 three-bed, 15 four-bed and 10 five-bed) with associated landscaping and basement parking subject to:
2. Any direction by the London Mayor.
3. The prior completion of a legal agreement under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended) within three months of the date of this resolution, to secure the planning obligations set out in the report.
4. That the Corporate Director, Development & Renewal is delegated authority to negotiate and approve the legal agreement indicated above.
5. That the Corporate Director Development & Renewal is delegated authority to issue the planning permission and impose conditions and informatives to secure the matters set out in the committee and update report AND the informative agreed by the Committee that the applicant work with the objector from Matlock Street to minimise the issues with overlooking to the objector’s property from the new building.
6. Any other conditions/informatives considered necessary by the Corporate Director, Development & Renewal.
Supporting documents: