Agenda item
Units 24 - 32 (even) Mastmaker Road, London, E14 9UB (PA/13/02773)
Proposal: Application to vary Condition 6 (hours of operation) attached to planning permission dated 15/10/2013 ref: PA/13/01647, which varied conditions 5 and 6 of the planning permission dated 10/07/2013 ref: PA/13/00116 which allowed a change of use of the existing light industrial units to a secondary school (Use Class D1) offering a range of vocational subjects for 14-19 year olds.
Recommendation: To GRANT planning permission subject to conditions and informatives.
Minutes:
Update Report Tabled.
Paul Buckenham (Development Manager, Development and Renewal) drew attention to the update report regarding the publication of the National Planning Practice Guidance and the commencement of the public consultation on the Draft further alterations to the London Plan 2014.
Whilst they should be given some weight, the changes did not introduce any further material considerations or alter the nature of the recommendations.
Mr Buckenham introduced the item regarding Units 24 - 32 (even) Mastmaker Roadto vary Condition 6 (hours of operation) relating to applications PA/13/01647 and PA/13/00116 which allowed a change of use to provide a secondary school offering a range of vocational subjects.
Angelina Eke (Planning Officer) presented the report. The Committee were advised of the proposals to extend the hours for staff at the site to 06:30 to 23:00 and to extend the hours of the Social Enterprise units.
The Applicant was seeking these changes to meet the demands of the service users and the needs of the community. The applicant had carried out a marketing exercise and considered that, based on this, there was a need for the proposal. The changes should also improve the sustainability of the businesses. The Committee noted the outcome of the local consultation. There had been 4 letters of objection, 1 petition in objection with 33 signatures. The nature of the concerns were explained. It was also reported that since agenda publication, 48 letters of support had been submitted (as detailed in the update).
The material planning issues concerned amenity and highway impact. It was noted that the LBTH Environmental Health Team and the Crime Prevention Officer had no objections to the proposal.
The Applicant was also committed to restricting use of the car park on site after hours and updating the Travel Plan to reflect the proposals.
Overall, Officers did not consider that the proposal would cause any undue impacts. Therefore, the application should be granted planning permission.
Members sought assurances on the plans to restrict use of the car park after hours to protect residential amenity, particularly from the noise. Officers drew attention to the comments of LBTH Highways as set out in the report. Nevertheless, the Committee could add a condition to ensure the closure of the car park after hours.
It was also discussed whether the opening hours of the gym/sports hall should be restricted to 07:00 to allow staff time to arrive on site and to open up at 06:30. It was considered very likely that if granted, that the staff would arrive before 06:30 to open up the facility in breach of the condition.
As a result of these issues, Councillor Tim Archer proposed an amendment to the application to restrict use of the car park at the site and to restrict the opening hours of the gym to 07:00. The amendments were seconded by Councillor Khales Uddin Ahmed. On a vote of 4 in favour, and 1 against, the Committee agreed these changes.
Members asked about the incidents of Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) at the site. In response, Officers referred to the comments of the Crime and Prevention Officer. There was no evidence to suggest that the proposal would increase ASB or any known incidences of ASB directly relating to this site.
It was confirmed that the 48 letters of support (referred to in the update) were pro-forma letters. With the permission of the Chair, these were circulated to the Committee. Members questioned the number from local residents and the number of standard letters. The Chair requested that this should be made clear in reports. Officers confirmed that the majority were from local residents.
Some Members questioned the need for the application at this time given that the facilities had only recently opened. It was considered that the proposals should ideally have been sought as part of the original application. Whilst supportive of the application, this approach could be perceived as incremental development.
On a vote of 4 in favour and 1 against, the Committee RESOLVED:
That planning permission (PA/13/02773) at Units 24 - 32 (even) Mastmaker Road, London, E14 9UB be GRANTED to vary condition 6 (hours of operation) attached to planning permission dated 15/10/2013 ref: PA/13/01647, which varied conditions 5 and 6 of the planning permission dated 10/07/2013 ref: PA/13/00116 which allowed a change of use of the existing light industrial units to a secondary school (Use Class D1) offering a range of vocational subjects for 14-19 year olds SUBJECT to the conditions and informatives set out in the Committee report and the following amendments:
· Opening Hours of the Gym/Sports Hall
To be amended to Monday to Friday 07:00 to 22:00 (with Saturday to Sunday 08:00 to 20:00)
· Restrictions on the use of the car park at the site outside core hours.
The approved hours are set out in full below:
Teachers & staff
· Mondays to Saturdays - 6.30 - 23:00 hours
14 - 16 year old students
· 09:30 - 15:00 (as approved under PA/13/01647)
· 16 - 19 year old students - 10:00 - 15:30 (as approved under PA/13/01647)
Nursery/Family Centre
· Monday to Friday - 07:00 - 20:00 hours
· Saturdays 08:00 - 18:00 hours
Café/Restaurant use
· Mondays to Fridays - 07:30 - 22:00
· Saturdays - 10:00 – 22:00 hours
· Sundays - 10:00 – 21:00 hours
Gym/Sports Hall
· Mondays to Fridays - 07:00 - 22:00
· Saturdays and Sundays – 08:00 – 20:00 hours
Supporting documents:
- PA-13-02773 - FINAL COMT REPORT_SAE, item 6.1 PDF 290 KB
- CommitteeReportPA1302773, item 6.1 PDF 1 MB
- MAP, item 6.1 PDF 766 KB
- May Update, item 6.1 PDF 38 KB
- September Update, item 6.1 PDF 44 KB