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 along Austin Street 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); and
- a 23 storey residential building incorporating social services facilities and a four storey hospital facility and detox unit plus parking, serving and cycle bay provision, landscaping and highway works
on land bounded by Hackney Road and Austin Street including Mildmay Mission Hospital, Hackney Road, London E2 7NS, which had been deferred at the last meeting of the Committee held on 19th July 2006 to enable Members to undertake a site visit.
Mr Stephen Irvine, Development Control Manager, presented the officer’s report and the update report relating to the application. The applicant had submitted an update to the Daylight/Sunlight Report which had already been submitted. The results of the assessments were considered acceptable, considering the urban context of the development. Mr Irvine summarised the letters of support and objection which had been received since the last meeting on 19th July 2006.
Officers had recommended the application for approval as, on balance, it was considered to be acceptable in terms of land use, design, amenity and highways. It was recognised that there would be some impact on local residents. However, it was felt that the benefits to the community would outweigh any negative impact on adjoining properties.
Members asked questions relating to the objections which had been received, the weight given to the comments made by the Greater London Authority (GLA) and the viability of the scheme. Concerns were expressed over the height, design and siting of the proposal. Concern was also expressed over the response from the Crime officer in terms of a possible rise in crime and anti-social behaviour.
Mr Irvine addressed the comments made and outlined the conditions which would be attached to any planning permission to mitigate the concerns of the residents. The application had been assessed by the Council’s Design Team and it was considered to be acceptable. Members asked questions relating to a prior application for the site which had included a smaller tower block. Mr Kiely reminded Members that they had to consider the application in front of them and that the merits of a previous application were not a material consideration for the Committee.
The Committee unanimously AGREED not to support the officer’s recommendation to grant planning permission 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 along Austin Street 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); and
- a 23 storey residential building incorporating social services facilities and a four storey hospital facility and detox unit plus parking, serving and cycle bay provision, landscaping and highway works
on land bounded by Hackney Road and Austin Street including Mildmay Mission Hospital, Hackney Road, London E2 7NS for the following reasons
(i) the height of the tower block;
(ii) the under provision of family sized dwellings;
(iii) impact on residential amenity;
(iv) loss of light;
(v) impact on crime and anti-social behaviour;
(vi) out of keeping;
(vii) design;
(viii) proximity to adjacent properties;
(ix) the financial viability of the proposal; and
(x) objections raised by English Heritage and the GLA.
The Committee AGREED that the item would be DEFERRED to the next meeting to allow officers to draft reasons for refusal.
The Committee adjourned for a short break at 8.45 pm and resumed at 8.55 pm.
Supporting documents: