Agenda item
Watts Grove Depot, bounded by Watts Grove, Glaucus Street and Yeo Street, London E3 (PA/14/02585)
Proposal:
Complete redevelopment consisting of the demolition of all buildings and structures on the old depot site and associated areas of hardstanding to provide 148 new homes (flats and houses) in buildings of varied heights ranging from three storeys to seven storeys (Use Class C3) together with new and upgraded vehicular access, new pedestrian accesses, open space, landscaping and associated works including relocation of existing telecommunications mast.
Recommendation:
That the Committee resolve to GRANT planning permission subject conditions and informatives.
Minutes:
Update report tabled.
Paul Buckenham (Development Control Manager) introduced the application. The Chair invited registered speakers to address the Committee.
Councillor Danny Hassell spoke in support of the application welcoming the number of number of units given that would this reduce overcrowding in his ward. He had been actively involved in bringing the scheme forward. He thanked the Service Head for Leaning and Achievement, LBTH for bringing this scheme forward as the proposal was a Council led initiative.
He stated that he would have preferred the units to be provided as social rent. He only knew about the proposed affordable (Tower Hamlets Framework) rents when reading the Committee report.
He welcomed the quality of the units and whilst the number of wheelchair units was just under 10%, welcomed their provision on the ground floor level of the proposed building along with the high quality open space and the public realm improvements.
Kamlesh Harris (Planning Officer) presented the detailed report and the update explaining the site location, surrounds and the current depot use. Given that the site was a brownfield site in a mainly residential area and the shortage of housing in the Borough, residential use of the site was welcomed. Four representations had been received in response to the consultation and the objections were noted.
The scheme was of a high quality design ranging from low rise 3 storey to 7 storey buildings to fit in with the surrounding areas. The quality of the detailed design was explained including the different types of balconies for the residential units. The development proposed a homezone, community space, child play space and a pedestrian route thorough the development.
There would be 148 units in the affordable rent tenure (100% of the units) with lifetime assured tenures and private amenity space. The impact on surrounding amenity was generally acceptable in terms privacy, overlooking day light and sunlight - as shown by the technical assessment and in view of the separation distances. Planning contributions had been secured in line with policy. The car parking, cycle parking, access, refuse and recycling arrangements were also explained.
In view of the benefits of the scheme, Officers were recommending that the scheme was granted planning permission.
Members ask questions about the rent levels for the units given the initial perceptions that the rent levels would be at social rent levels. Members felt that more action should be taken in the future to ensure that the tenure type of proposed developments was made clear to the public at an early stage.
In response, Officers assured Members there had been no changes to the application since submission in this regard. Officers circulated the Planning Statement for the application that had been published on the website which stated the rent levels.
In connection to this, Members heard from Dale Walker, (Interim Head of Capital Delivery, LBTH) about the viability assessment of the scheme. It was found that the scheme could only be afforded by the Council with affordable rents taking into account the viability of the scheme. The rents would be broadly in line with the Borough affordable rent levels for the area a right to buy for occupants. The development was on target to commence by March 2015, as required by the Mayor of London funding.
Mr Buckenham explained that Members should consider the case on its planning merits and there was no grounds in policy to refuse an application based on the affordable rent levels.
In response to further questions, Officers described the measures to save energy and also provided further assurances on the sunlight and daylight impact in view of the objection from David Hewitt House. With the exception of a small number of windows, most of the units tested complied with the policy including the property of the objector. Whilst there was a shortfall of dedicated child play space on site, there were a number of parks in the area within the recommended walking distance in policy that should compensate for the shortfall.
Officers also listed the number of community facilities nearby and these were listed and shown on a map.
On a unanimous vote, the Committee RESOLVED:
1. That planning permission (PA/14/02585) at Watts Grove Depot, bounded by Watts Grove, Glaucus Street and Yeo Street, London E3 be GRANTED for the complete redevelopment consisting of the demolition of all buildings and structures on the old depot site and associated areas of hardstanding to provide 148 new homes (flats and houses) in buildings of varied heights ranging from three storeys to seven storeys (Use Class C3) together with new and upgraded vehicular access, new pedestrian accesses, open space, landscaping and associated works including relocation of existing telecommunications mast subject to:
2. That the Corporate Director, Development & Renewal is delegated authority to issue the planning permission and impose conditions and informative to secure the matters set out in the Committee report:
3. Any other conditions/informatives considered necessary by the Corporate Director Development and Renewal.
Supporting documents: