Agenda item
144-146 Commercial Street, London, E1 6NU (PA/15/00044)
- Meeting of Development Committee, Thursday, 14th May, 2015 7.00 p.m. (Item 6.4)
- View the background to item 6.4
Proposal:
A new single storey roof extension within the existing roof void to create a 1 x 1 bed residential unit; Construction of four storey rear extension to facilitate
new stair case; Reconfiguration of window arrangement at the rear; Refurbishment of the front façade; Installation of a green roof.
Recommendation:
That the Committee resolve to GRANT planning permission subject to the conditions in the Committee report
Minutes:
Update Report Tabled.
Paul Buckenham (Development Manager, Development and Renewal) introduced the application.
The Chair then invited registered speakers to address the Committee.
David Donahue spoke in objection to the proposal representing the owners of the adjacent public house. They considered that the tavern was a significant heritage asset. The most important in the area. In view of this, they objected that the proposal, given its bland design would harm the fabric of the historic building with little benefit. They also objected to the impact of the proposed staircase on the restaurant, loss of amenity to that property and nuisance from the ventilation system. The report overlooked these issues. The application should be rejected or deferred for a site visit to assess the impact of the proposal on the surrounding area. Note: Another objector had registered to speak. However the second slot was not taken up at the meeting.
David Donahue (Applicant’s Agent) spoke in support of the application. He described that the scheme, including the staircase had been redesigned to minimise the impact on the public house. The plans would protect views of the of the public house and aimed to make better use of the layout by providing a separate entrance to the residential unit. The Applicant had carefully considered the objections and had worked with Officers in addressing the issues. Overall, the applicant considered that the scheme was acceptable and should be granted planning permission.
Shahara Ali-Hempstead (Planning Officer, Development and Renewal) presented the detailed report explaining the site location in the Conservation Area, the existing use and the proximity to the adjacent public tavern.
Consultation on the proposal had been carried out. The issues arising from this were explained along with the key features of the scheme itself.
The proposed extension would sit comfortably behind the existing parapet rising only 45sqm above the parapet edge. The stairwell at the rear had been reduced in height to minimise the impact on amenity. Conditions had been secured including details of a green roof. Overall it was considered that the proposal would preserve the setting of the surrounding area. The proposals overcame the previous reasons for refusal. Therefore, Officers were recommending that the planning permission should be granted.
In response to Councillors questions about the appearance of the proposal, Officers described the proposed materials, including metal cladding and glazing at the front elevation. It was felt that the contemporary design would work well with the area. There was a condition requiring that samples of the materials be submitted for approval.
In response to questions about the impact on the area, it was confirmed that the proposal as amended would preserve the setting of the Commercial Tavern public house including long views from the south along Commercial Street. In view of this, Officers did not considered that images of the long distance views needed to be included in the presentation, but those submitted with the application were circulated to the Committee on request.
In response, Members requested that additional images showing the impact of the scheme on the surrounding area be provided including long range views.
In response to further questions, Officers clarified the previous reasons for refusal arising from the impact of the two storey projection on visual amenity (amongst other issues). The proposal, due to the reduction in height made possible by the more contemporary design, would have significantly less impact. Officers also explained the plans to remove the ventilation system, the waste collections plans, (given the lack of space for a storage area due to the amendments), and that the proposal would have no direct impact on the highway. Therefore, Transport for London hadn’t been consulted. Details of the cycle storage arrangements would be secured by condition.
On a unanimous vote, the Committee RESOLVED:
That planning permission at 144-146 Commercial Street, London, E1 6NU be DEFERRED for a new single storey roof extension within the existing roof void to create a 1 x 1 bed residential unit; construction of four storey rear extension to facilitate new stair case; reconfiguration of window arrangement at the rear; refurbishment of the front façade and installation of a green roof to enable a site visit to be held to explore the impact of the scheme on the building and surrounding area (PA/15/00044).
Supporting documents: