Agenda item
11 Westferry Circus, London E14 (PA/14/00465)
Proposal: Change of use of the part ground, sixth and seventh floors from offices (Class B1) to Family law court (Class D1)
Recommendation: 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 the change of use of the part ground, sixth and seventh floors from offices to Family law court.
Iyabo Johnson (Planning Officer, Development and Renewal) presented the application and the update report. The application was being referred to the Committee for decision primarily due to the departure from the Development Plan that designated the site as a Preferred Office Location (POL). Members were advised of the justification for this given there was an adequate supply of office space in the area as shown by the Applicant’s evidence. In addition, the proposed law court would complement the POL and bring the site back into an active use.
The plans for a law court at this particular site were also regarded as appropriate given that the site was within a town centre with good transport links. The London Plan and town centre policies recommended this. So whilst departing from the Development Plan, the scheme complied with policy in this regard and overall was acceptable in land use terms.
Two objections had been received regarding access. However, one had since been withdrawn due to the submission of a management strategy to address the issues. This would be appended to the Travel Plan as part of the conditions.
The Greater London Authority had not raised any objections. Their response stated that that it would not require the Council to refer the application back at Stage 2.
Members were advised of the key features of the application including: the proposed internal layout, the various access routes, the car parking plans and the employment benefits of the scheme. Given the overall benefits, Officers were recommending that the scheme be granted.
Members asked questions about the security plans given the nature of the proposal. In particularly, the measures to ensure the safety of the staff and customers of the building (including those from the other floors) as well as the public. In response, Officers expressed confidence that this issue would have been carefully considered and that the Applicant, the Ministry of Justice would have taken steps ensure this. The consultation letters were sent to the occupants of the other floors. It would strictly be a family law court. Nevertheless, Members could add a condition to the permission to address these issues. Accordingly, the Committee agree to add a condition to the permission that details of the security arrangements be submitted for approval by Officers to ensure the safety of the staff and customers of the building as well as the public.
On a unanimous vote the Committee RESOLVED:
1. That planning permission at 11 Westferry Circus, London E14 (PA/14/00465) be GRANTED for the change of use of the part ground, sixth and seventh floors from offices (Class B1) to Family law court (Class D1) SUBJECT to:
2. The prior completion of a legal agreement to secure the planning obligations set out in the Committee report.
3. That the Corporate Director Development & Renewal is delegated power to negotiate the legal agreement indicated above acting within normal delegated authority
4 That the Corporate Director Development & Renewal is delegated authority to recommend the conditions and informatives in relation to the matters set out in the Committee report and the update report and the condition added by the Committee as follows:
· That details of the security arrangements be submitted for approval by Officers to ensure the safety of the staff and customers of the building as well as the public.
Supporting documents: