Agenda item
Wickham House, 69-89 Mile End Road and 10 Cleveland Way, London, E1 (PA/14/03547)
- Meeting of Development Committee, Wednesday, 16th December, 2015 7.00 p.m. (Item 5.3)
- View the background to item 5.3
Proposal:
Refurbishment of former Wickham's department store comprising: retention of facade of former Spiegelhalter's shop at 81 Mile End Road to provide new entrance, change of use of second floor to office (Use Class B1), change of use of ground and basement floors to a flexible retail/leisure use (Use Class A1/A2/A3/A4/B1/D1/D2) and erection of roof extensions at third and fourth storey levels to provide 1,481sqm (GIA) of additional office space (Use Class B1); as well as reconfiguration of internal layout, restoration of external features and other associated works.
Recommendation:
That the Committee resolve to GRANT planning permission subject to the prior completion of a legal agreement, conditions and informatives.
Minutes:
Update report tabled.
Jerry Bell (Applications Manager, Development and Renewal) introduced the item for the refurbishment of the former Wickham's department store. At the last meeting of the Committee, Members deferred the application for a site visit that took place earlier in the week to enable Members to inspect the site and better understand the impact of the proposal. At which, a number of issues were raised and responses to these questions were set out in the update report, regarding amongst other matters the impact of the roof extension and the proposed refuse collections arrangements.
Piotr Lanoszka, (Planning Officer, Development and Renewal) presented the detailed report highlighting the site location, the proposed layout, the proposed uses and the amendments to the plans. Responding to the issues raised at the site visit, he showed views of the proposed roof extension from the surrounding area, showing that it would be subservient to the former department store. In relation to waste collection, it was confirmed that this would remain as per the existing arrangements. Officers considered that the on street collection service would have little impact on the highway.
In view of the merits of the scheme, Officer were recommending that it was granted planning permission.
In response to questions from Members, it was explained that it would be very difficult to retain the existing banqueting hall as part of scheme. This would require far reaching changes such as unplanned physical changes to the building. Furthermore, whilst it was proposed to include a D2 use in the basement area, due to the nature of this environment (i.e. lack of windows) it was questionable whether it could operate from this unit. Members needed to weigh up the merits of retaining the banqueting hall against the merits of this scheme. The Waterlily facility, (whilst under previous management), had an extensive enforcement history including prosecutions that can be given some weight. This application should help address these problems
As explained above, it was recommended that the current waste collection arrangements be retained. Images were displayed showing that these could be successfully accommodated within the scheme. Consideration had been given to the suggestion that the collection take place within the building as set out in the update. However, it was found that, due to the nature of the site, this would require significant alterations.
Whilst there would be some impact on the tower, its significance would be protected. Historic England and the Victorian Society had withdrawn their objections to the scheme. The Council’s Conservation Officer had looked carefully at the scheme and was satisfied with the plans in terms of both the enhancements to the external façade and the internal changes recognising their value. Overall there would be a net gain in heritage terms
It was noted that the scheme could accommodate a range of business uses and that the Council could go no further than specify the use class. It could not specify the end user. However, given the factors in favour of creating a co worker hub for SME business on the site, it was considered that the developers should naturally be encouraged to establish the SME type of business at the development. The applicant had also undertaken to provide a number of units as affordable workspaces.
Officers also explained the current position regarding Microsoft’s use of the premises.
On a vote of 3 in favour 3 against and 1 abstention with the Chair casting a second vote in favour of the scheme, the Committee RESOLVED:
1. That planning permission be GRANTED at Wickham House, 69-89 Mile End Road and 10 Cleveland Way, London, E1 (PA/14/03547) for the refurbishment of former Wickham's department store comprising: retention of facade of former Spiegelhalter's shop at 81 Mile End Road to provide new entrance, change of use of second floor to office (Use Class B1), change of use of ground and basement floors to a flexible retail/leisure use (Use Class A1/A2/A3/A4/B1/D1/D2) and erection of roof extensions at third and fourth storey levels to provide 1,481sqm (GIA) of additional office space (Use Class B1); as well as reconfiguration of internal layout, restoration of external features and other associated works subject to:
2. The prior completion of a legal agreement to secure the planning obligations set out in the Committee report.
3. That the Corporate Director Development & Renewal is delegated power to negotiate the legal agreement indicated above. If within three months of the resolution the legal agreement has not been completed, the Corporate Director Development & Renewal is delegated power to refuse planning permission.
4. 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.
Supporting documents:
- DC PA1403547 Wickham House deferred item, item 5.3 PDF 50 KB
- Wickhams Development Committee Report FINAL 25 November 2015 ref PA-14-03547, 25/11/2015 Development Committee, item 5.3 PDF 4 MB
- wickham update, item 5.3 PDF 47 KB