Agenda item
Land bound by Hackney Road and Austin Street, including Mildmay Mission Hospital, Hackney Road, London E2 7NS
Minutes:
Mr Michael Kiely, Head of Development Decisions, introduced the site and proposal for the demolition of existing buildings (excluding community centre) and redevelopment to provide a campus of six buildings comprising:
- a part-five, part-six storey building along Hackney Road to provide a new church and retail space (Class A1 to A5) with residential units above:
- a five storey building centrally located to provide offices with residential units above;
- a six storey building centrally located to provide a Primary Care Centre and residential units;
- three storey town houses along Austin Street with adjoining commercial/retail premises (Class B1/A1 to A5);
- a 23 storey residential building incorporating social services facilities and a four storey hospital facility and detox unit plus parking, servicing and cycle bay provision, landscaping and highways works
on land bounded by Hackney Road and Austin Street including Mildmay Hospital, Hackney Road, London E2 7NS.
Mr Myles Joyce addressed the Committee on behalf of the objectors, on the grounds that the proposal was a departure from planning policy; the site was unsuitable; the scheme was not justified in terms of its high density or height; there were omissions from the planning officers report; and any proposal should be referred to the Secretary of State for assessment.
Mr Anu Vedi addressed the Committee on behalf of the applicant and supporters for the scheme. He reminded the Committee that the scheme would include 100% affordable housing which would not be housing drug addicts but would house essential key workers and recent hospital patients. He advised that that height of the scheme had been lowered and the positioning looked at to ensure minimum impact on the surrounding area.
Councillor Shirley Houghton addressed the Committee on behalf of Councillor Louise Alexander and the residents of the Weavers Ward. She expressed concern that the proposal appeared to be contrary to planning policy and did not contain enough family housing, which was needed in the area. She was also concerned that the additional housing would not help to reduce the Council’s housing waiting lists. She stated that the 23 storey tower block would be out of keeping with the surrounding area and urged the Committee to reject the proposals.
Mr Stephen Irvine, Development Control Manager, presented the planning officer’s report. He went through the update report which contained a summary of comments received subsequent to the despatch of the agenda. He informed the Committee that over 2,930 further letters of comment had been received, 1265 were in support of the merits of the scheme and 1665 were in opposition. Mr Irvine outlined the planning issues which the Committee needed to take into consideration when making its decision and the reasons why officers had recommended the scheme for approval, as outlined in the agenda item.
Members asked a number of questions of the officers in respect of issues raised in the speakers’ presentations; the height and density of the scheme; crime and disorder issues; and the need for health care provision in the area.
Mr Irvine and Mr Michael Kiely, Head of Development Decisions, informed the Committee that careful consideration had been given to the scale and density of the scheme by officers and the Greater London Authority (GLA) as there had been some initial concerns. However, after consideration planning officers and the GLA were of the view that the proposal was acceptable. There would be CCTV and 24 hour security on the site to ensure the safety of the site, and Members were advised that it was usual for large developments to have CCTV on site. The Committee was also advised that the local Primary Care Trust had identified the need for health care provision in the area and supported the proposals.
A number of Members proposed that a site visit be held to enable Members to view the site in its surroundings, especially in relation to the adjoining properties, before reaching a decision.
The Committee AGREED that the application for the demolition of existing buildings (excluding community centre) and redevelopment to provide a campus of six buildings comprising:
- a part-five, part-six storey building along Hackney Road to provide a new church and retail space (Class A1 to A5) with residential units above:
- a five storey building centrally located to provide offices with residential units above;
- a six storey building centrally located to provide a Primary Care Centre and residential units;
- three storey town houses along Austin Street with adjoining commercial/retail premises (Class B1/A1 to A5);
- a 23 storey residential building incorporating social services facilities and a four storey hospital facility and detox unit plus parking, servicing and cycle bay provision, landscaping and highways works
on land bounded by Hackney Road and Austin Street including Mildmay Hospital, Hackney Road, London E2 7NS be DEFERRED for a site visit by Members to view the site in its surroundings, especially the relationship to neighbouring properties.
The Committee adjourned for a short break at 8.55pm and resumed at 9.10pm.
Supporting documents: