Agenda item
7 Limeharbour, E14 9NQ (PA/14/00293)
Proposal:
Demolition of the existing building and the construction of a new residential building ranging from 6 to 23 storeys (with additional lower ground level) and comprising 134 residential units, private leisure facilities, a new urban square (including new pedestrian links and hard and soft landscaping), revised vehicle access arrangements, and basement car parking and servicing.
Recommendation:
That the Committee resolve to GRANT planning permission subject to any direction by The Mayor of London prior completion of a legal agreement conditions and informatives
Minutes:
Update Report Tabled.
Paul Buckenham (Development Manager, Development and Renewal) introduced the application and the update and the Chair then invited registered speakers to address the Committee.
Councillor Chris Chapman spoke in opposition to the scheme. He objected on the grounds of overdevelopment of the site given the volume of new development in the area. In particular, he objected to the impact on parking stress and highway safety given the existing problems in the area. He also objected to the impact on local schools, health facilities and public transport, already at a capacity. The scheme should be refused planning permission. In response to questions, he commented on the likelihood that future occupants would bring vehicles to the development, despite the car free agreement, worsening existing parking and highway safety issues.
Philip Dunphy (Applicant’s Agent) spoke in support. He detailed the scope of the consultation. As a result, the scheme had been amended to reduce the number of storeys. He also explained the benefits of the scheme including the level of affordable housing and the design that would be in keeping with the area. The three parking spaces would be re - provided under the legal agreement. The proposal should actually reduce use of the Crossharbour DLR station compared to activity from the consented use.
Amy Thompson (Planning Officer) gave a detailed presentation on the scheme explaining the surrounding area that was mainly residential, the lack of need for the existing use and that the site designation sought to maximise residential development in the area. She set out information regarding the objections received and also explained the design, massing, density, height of the scheme, the housing offer, the measures to protect amenity, the amenity space, the public realm improvements, the s106 agreements and addressed the issues in the update report regarding the sunlight and daylight impact. In view of the merits of the scheme, it was recommended the scheme be granted planning permission.
In response to questions, Officers welcomed the level of open space surrounding the proposal. The scheme had been designed to reflect the lower scale of surrounding buildings with the ‘stepped ’ design. The height of the building had been reduced through pre-application discussions and the proportion of affordable housing had been increased.
Officers also clarified the rent levels for the social housing and the distribution of funding between highway works and the DLR as agreed by the Council’s Planning Contribution Overview Panel taking into account need.
On a vote of 7 in favour, 2 against and no abstentions, the Committee RESOLVED:
1. That planning permission (PA/14/00293) at 7 Limeharbour, E14 9NQ be GRANTED for the demolition of the existing building and the construction of a new residential building ranging from 6 to 23 storeys (with additional lower ground level) and comprising 134 residential units, private leisure facilities, a new urban square (including new pedestrian links and hard and soft landscaping), revised vehicle access arrangements, and basement car parking and servicingsubject to:
2. Any direction by The London Mayor
3. The prior completion of a legal agreement to secure the planning obligations set out in the Committee report
4. That the Corporate Director Development & Renewal is delegated power to negotiate and complete the legal agreement indicated above acting within normal delegated authority.
5. 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 Committee report and the additional condition in the update report regarding the architectural treatment.
6. Any other conditions(s) considered necessary by the Corporate Director Development & Renewal
7. That, if within 3 months of the date of this committee the legal agreement has not been completed, the Corporate Director Development & Renewal is delegated power to refuse planning permission.
Supporting documents: