Agenda item
The Quay Club, Marine Slab Pontoon to the North of Bank Street, Canary Wharf, London, E14 (PA/16/00899 + PA/16/00900)
- Meeting of Strategic Development Committee, Thursday, 19th January, 2017 7.00 p.m. (Item 4.1)
- View the background to item 4.1
Proposal:
Demolition of the existing concrete slab and associated infrastructure; alterations to Bank Street including the removal of existing coping stones above the existing Banana Wall to enable the installation of proposed utilities services and future deck; the installation of new piles in the Bank Street; and the erection of a five storey building on the existing marine piles for use as a members club (Use Class Sui Generis) and other associated works incidental to the development.
Recommendation:
That the Committee resolve to GRANT planning permission and listed building consent subject to the prior completion of a legal agreement to secure planning obligations and, conditions and informatives as set out in the Committee report.
Minutes:
Update report tabled.
Paul Buckenham (Development Control Manager) introduced the application for the demolition of the existing concrete slab and associated infrastructure; alterations to Bank Street including the removal of existing coping stones above the existing Banana Wall and the erection of a five storey building on the existing marine piles for use as a members club and other associated works incidental to the development.
Jerry Bell (East Area Manager, Planning Services) presented the application. He reported that the application was originally considered by the Committee on 20 October 2016 where Members were minded not to accept the application due to concerns over:
· The loss of open water space and the lack of exceptional circumstances justifying this;
· The adverse impact on the biodiversity of the dock;
· The adverse impact on heritage assets, notably the Grade I listed banana dock wall;
· Inadequate mitigation to address the harm caused by the application.
Since that the meeting, the application had been amended to address the Concerns. Details of the changes made to the application were as follows:
· Alterations to the building at ground floor level which include setting back the central portion of the building to reveal 110sqm of water space along with views of the Grade I listed banana dock wall.
· A reduction in the number of alterations to isolated areas of the coping of the Grade I listed banana dock wall.
· Replacement of the previously proposed £600,000 financial contribution for improvements and enhancements to the natural environment in the borough with an enhanced £800,000 financial contribution towards water space and heritage features improvements and enhancements in the borough
· An additional non-financial obligation to secure public access to the building for local residents on a bi-annual basis, to view art and cultural exhibitions curated by Canary Wharf Group through its Arts and Events programme.
The Committee were reminded of the site location and the surrounds. They also noted that Officers remained of the view that the application should be granted permission. However, should the Committee be minded to refuse the application, they were directed to consider the suggested reasons for refusal set out in the report.
In response to questions from Members about the proposal to hold bi-annual arts events, it was reported that they would be held on a weekend, free of charge, for the lifetime of the development and this requirement would be written in to the S106 agreement. Save for these events, access to the proposed facilities would generally be restricted as reported at the previous meeting. In response to questions about the biodiversity measures, it was noted that the application included a number of biodiversity enhancements. In addition, the alterations to the application should deliver further benefits in this regard by revealing additional water space. The Council’s Biodiversity Officer had considered the plans and did not consider that the plans, including the proposed lighting of the underside of the building would have a significant impact. Their comments were set out in the update report.
In response to questions about the interventions to the dock wall, Officers confirmed that the number of which had been reduced to minimise the impact on the wall. The works would enable the installation of the utility services and other essential works. In discussing these points, the Committee noted images of the plans.
In response to further questions, Officers reported that the plans would allow for the free flow of water under the proposed development. Officers also outlined the contributions for local employment (as set out in the legal agreement) and the contributions towards water space and heritage enhancements in the local area.
Overall Members welcomed the changes and felt they would help minimise the applications impact.
On a vote of 7 in favour, 1 against and 0 abstentions, the Committee RESOLVED:
1. That the planning permission and listed building consent be GRANTED at The Quay Club, Marine Slab Pontoon to the North of Bank Street, Canary Wharf, London, E14 for the Demolition of the existing concrete slab and associated infrastructure; alterations to Bank Street including the removal of existing coping stones above the existing Banana Wall to enable the installation of proposed utilities services and future deck; the installation of new piles in the Bank Street; and the erection of a five storey building on the existing marine piles for use as a members club (Use Class Sui Generis) and other associated works incidental to the development. (PA/16/00899 + PA/16/00900) subject to:
2. The prior completion of a legal agreement to secure the planning obligations set out in the 19 January 2017 Committee update report.
3. That the Corporate Director of Development & Renewal is delegated authority to recommend the conditions and informatives in relation to the matters set out in the 19 January 2017 update report.
Supporting documents:
- PA_16_00899 + PA_16_00900 - Deferal Report_UPDATED, item 4.1 PDF 241 KB
- Item 5.3, 20/10/2016 Strategic Development Committee, item 4.1 PDF 895 KB
- Update Report 4.1, item 4.1 PDF 56 KB