Agenda item
Car Park, Cygnet Street, London (PA/13/02529)
Proposal:
Erection of a building up to six storeys to provide basement gym (Use Class D2), ground floor commercial (Use Classes A1, A2, A3 and B1) and 39 dwellings above.
Recommendation:
To GRANT planning permission subject to a legal agreement conditions and informatives.
Minutes:
Update Report tabled.
Paul Buckenham (Development Manager, Development and Renewal) introduced the application regarding Car Park, Cygnet Street.
Richard Murrell, (Planning Officer, Development and Renewal) presented the detailed report and update report.
It was firstly reported that the number of private houses (page 67 of the report) should be 26 not 27. It was also reported that the housing split in the recommendations should be 77%/23% split in favour of affordable rent.
Mr Murrell noted that the Developer had offered to limit noisy construction activities on Saturday mornings, with no noisy activities to take place between 0800 and 0900.
Mr Murrell described the key features of the scheme including: the site and surrounds near Conservation Areas and the existing use. The proposed land use was considered acceptable given the need to reduce car use and the need for additional high quality housing. The proposed commercial use would contribute to additional retail and amenities for local people.
It was considered that the design and scale of the development was compatible with the area. Samples of the brick work were available for the Committee to view. The scheme would provide 36% affordable housing at the Council’s preferred rent levels in accordance with policy.
Mr Murrell explained the impact on sunlight and daylight to the neighbouring properties. Whilst there would be some impact, this was mainly due to the design of the neighbouring building and existing cleared site. Overall, Officers considered that these impacts were acceptable given the improvements to the views from these properties, amongst other issues.
Members were also advised of the S106 agreement that was policy compliant. Officers were recommending that the application be approved.
Members asked questions about the rent levels for the affordable housing, the impact from construction, the design, the impact on jobs from the development and the loss of car parking spaces
In response, Officers confirmed that the proposed rents for the affordable units fell below the markets rates by some margin. Jen Pepper (Affordable Housing Programme Manager) confirmed the exact percentage at which for each unit type. Any changes to the rent levels could affect the viability of the scheme. The site had a high public transport rating given the number of bus routes in the area and proximity to Shoreditch Station.
Care had been taken to ensure the development fitted in with the surrounding area with features to ensure this. The proposal would provide employment opportunities. Nearby streets were subject to parking controls. This should prevent any parking displacement. Many markets operated without on site car parking and it was not considered that the proposal would cause any displacement for the market.
The Committee were mindful of the impact of the construction work on amenity given the proximity of the development to the surrounding area and the density of the area. As a result, the Committee agreed to amend the hours of construction for Saturdays to still start at 8am but with no loud machinery before 9am.
On a unanimous vote, the Committee RESOLVED:
1. That the planning permission at Car Park, Cygnet Street, London (PA/13/02529) be GRANTED for the Erection of a building up to six storeys to provide basement gym (Use Class D2), ground floor commercial (Use Classes A1, A2, A3 and B1) and 39 dwellings Subject to:
2. 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 Committee report with the clarification reported at the Committee meeting that the split in the 36% affordable housing should read 13 units with a 77%/23% split in favour of affordable rent.
3. That the Corporate Director, Development & Renewal and Head of Legal Services be delegated authority to negotiate and approve the legal agreement indicated above.
4. That the Corporate Director Development & Renewal is delegated authority to issue the planning permission and impose conditions plus informatives to secure the matters set out in the Committee Report subject to the following amendment in respect of the hours of construction:
- Hours of construction on Saturday to start at 8am with no loud machinery before 9am (being defined by the use of power tools or machinery).
5. Any other planning condition(s) considered necessary by the Corporate Director Development & Renewal
Supporting documents: