Agenda item
Site 1 Land at 3 Millharbour and Site 2 Land at 6, 7 and 8 South Quay Square, South Quay Square, London (PA/14/03195)
- Meeting of Strategic Development Committee, Thursday, 8th October, 2015 7.00 p.m. (Item 5.1)
- View the background to item 5.1
Proposal:
The demolition and redevelopment with four buildings: Building G1, a podium with two towers of 10 - 38 storeys and of 12 - 44 storeys; Building G2, a four floor podium with two towers of 34 and 38 storeys inclusive of podium; Building G3, a tower rising to 44 storeys; and Building G4, a four floor podium with a tower of 31 storeys inclusive of podium.
Recommendation:
That the Committee resolve to GRANT planning permission subject to any direction by The London Mayor, the prior completion of a legal agreement , conditions and informatives.
Minutes:
Update report tabled.
Councillor Danny Hassell (Chair)
Paul Buckenham (Development Control Manager, Development and Renewal) introduced the application for the demolition and redevelopment of the site.
He explained that the application was initially considered at the 4 June 2015 meeting of the Committee where Members deferred the consideration of the application for a site visit and to address concerns about the scheme. The application was brought back to the Committee on 21 July 2015 where Members, having considered the additional information, were minded to not to accept the scheme due to concerns over:
· Insufficient provision of affordable housing and the affordability of the family sized intermediate units.
· Lack of supporting infrastructure to accommodate the density of the scheme in particularly the additional car parking and servicing from the development.
Nasser Farooq, (Deputy Team Leader, Planning Services, Development and Renewal) presented the detailed report. He reminded Members of the site location and surrounding developments, the proposed layout, height of the scheme, the number of units and the proposed new school.
In relation to the affordable housing, it was noted that according to the viability appraisal, the maximum amount that the scheme could provide had been secured and that the 3 bed intermediate units would be affordable in line with the Greater London Authority (GLA) affordability criteria. However, in view of the concerns about the affordability of the units, the application had been amended to omit 19 of the three bed intermediate units and to replace these with a range of smaller units within the same tenure. The proposed rent levels for the units were clarified. It was also clarified that the 3- 4 bed affordable units would be delivered at social rent and that this had been factored into the viability appraisal.
In relation to highways, whilst the width of the proposed servicing route remained the same, Officers still considered that it was appropriate for servicing. In support of this, the applicant had provided information showing likely usage of this route during peak hours. Transport for London and LBTH Highways had reviewed this information and considered that it was acceptable. The servicing would be conditioned which would include details of servicing hours to avoid peak hours.
It was also pointed out that the level of car parking fell short of the maximum allowed in policy for the density proposed.
As a result, Officers remained of the view that the scheme should be granted permission. However, if Members were minded to refuse the scheme, they were directed to the three suggested reason in the deferred report.
In response to questions, Officers clarified the proposed rent levels for the social rent units that excluded service charges. The rents would be ensured in perpetuity and controlled by way of a S106 obligation.
The viability report had been tested, based on the premises that the 3-4 four bed affordable units would be delivered as social rent (which it always had been). The report was found to be sound. There would be opportunities to reassess the viability of the scheme should there be a delay in implementing the scheme. The triggers and timescales for this were noted.
Officers also answered questions about the housing mix and the downsides in requesting that parking spaces be reserved for the rented units. According to LBTH Housing and the Developer, this would have an impact on their service charges. It was also explained that the scheme would be subject to the Council’s permit transfer scheme, allowing residents of the family social housing to transfer their permits to the scheme.
In conclusion, Members welcomed the changes to the scheme and felt that the scheme would provide much needed affordable units.
On a vote of 4 in favour and 1 against, the Committee RESOLVED:
1. That planning permission be GRANTED at Site 1 Land at 3 Millharbour and Site 2 Land at 6, 7 and 8 South Quay Square, South Quay Square, London for the demolition and redevelopment with four buildings: Building G1, a podium with two towers of 10 - 38 storeys and of 12 - 44 storeys; Building G2, a four floor podium with two towers of 34 and 38 storeys inclusive of podium; Building G3, a tower rising to 44 storeys; and Building G4, a four floor podium with a tower of 31 storeys inclusive of podium (PA/14/03195)
Subject to
2. Any direction by The London Mayor.
3. The prior completion of a legal agreementto secure the planning obligations set out in the 4th June 2015 Committee report and 8th October 2015 Committee report.
4. That the Corporate Director Development & Renewal is delegated power to negotiate the legal agreement indicated above acting within normal delegated authority.
5. That the Corporate Director Development & Renewal is delegated authority to recommend the conditions and informatives in relation to the matters set out in the 4th June 2015 Committee report.
Supporting documents:
- 3 Millharbour- Deferred Item Report final (2), item 5.1 PDF 204 KB
- 3 Millharbour- Deferred Item Report (PB), 21/07/2015 Strategic Development Committee, item 5.1 PDF 97 KB
- Update July, item 5.1 PDF 67 KB
- Millharbour east and west committee report, 04/06/2015 Strategic Development Committee, item 5.1 PDF 5 MB
- SDC040615updatereport, 21/07/2015 Strategic Development Committee, item 5.1 PDF 4 MB