Agenda item
Brussels Wharf, Glamis Road, E1W 3TD (PA/16/01978)
Proposal:
Development of 50 x 8.5m natural swimming pool and kid's pool incorporating a surfaced beach area and sun terrace, changing rooms, toilet, disabled facilities and kiosk (Use Class D2, A1-A3).
A café restaurant incorporating 1st floor viewing platform and integrated public toilet block and ground floor level (Use Class A3)
Ecological improvements to Shadwell Basin including new wet land park with improved fishing pitches
A new foot bridge and decked area (Science Deck). A new canoe polo court in Shadwell Basin
Recommendation:
That the Committee resolve to GRANT planning permission subject to conditions and informatives.
Minutes:
Update report tabled
Paul Buckenham (Development Manager) introduced the application for the development of 50 x 8.5m natural swimming pool and kid's pool, a café restaurant, ecological improvements to Shadwell Basin, a new foot bridge and decked area and a new canoe polo court in Shadwell Basin
The Chair invited registered speakers to address the meeting.
Mads Myeo Jorgensen and Sylvia White (local residents) spoke in objection to the application. They expressed concern about increased ASB from the proposal giving the existing problems in this area and the lack of action to deal with this by the management. The speakers also called into question the compatibility of locating a restaurant that could serve alcohol with children’s swimming activities. Concern was also expressed about the traffic impact, the adequacy of the travel plan, the noise impact due to visitor numbers, litter, the credibility of the evidence supporting the site improvements and the adequacy of the developers consultation. Concern was also expressed about the impact on other community facilities, the viability of the proposal and the need for a new swimming pool in this area in view of the comments of Sports England. In response to questions, they clarified their concerns about increased traffic and parking stress from the proposal given the expected number of vehicle trips and increased ASB from the development.
Mike Wardle (Shadwell Basin Outdoor Activity Centre) spoke in support of the application. The applicants were Shadwell Basin Outdoor Activity Centre and the Turks Head Charity. He reported that the centre had carried out a lot of work to enhance and facilitate use of the water basin. The development sought to create the first natural 50 metres pool in the Borough with step free access. The plans would provide biodiversity enhancements, economic benefits, increase footfall to the area and natural surveillance as well as opportunities for swimming training and for children to appreciate the local environment.
In response to questions from the Committee, he advised that the proposed closing time of the development had been adjusted downwards to 9:30pm to allay concerns and could be varied according to demand in the winter season. The redevelopment of the site should help address any ASB issues by improving natural surveillance. It was hoped that the majority of visitors would travel to the facility by public transport and there would be a travel plan to encourage this to minimise parking stress from the development.
Kevin Crilly (Planning Services) presented the report explaining the current site use, the nature of the surrounding area and key features of the application including the changes to the application. He also explained the outcome of the consultation.
The proposed development would bring a number of benefits to the locality including the utilisation of an underused site for a community leisure provision, biodiversity enhancements and public realm improvements. Amendments had been made to minimise the impact of the development on local heritage assets. Whilst the application would result in less than substantial harm to the setting of the Grade 11* listed Pumping Station, Officers had concluded that the public benefits outweighed the identified harm.
The proposals could also be considered acceptable in terms of the impact on the amenity of neighbouring residents. Officers also considered that the impact on local residents arising from noise disturbance and highway issues, could be sufficiently mitigated and that given the reduction in the size and opening hours of the restaurant, it should not unduly affect local trade.
In view of the merits of the application, officers were recommending that it was granted planning permission.
The Committee asked questions about: the consultation, the entrance charges, the winter trading hours, the opening hours of the restaurant space and the measures to prevent ASB. Members also asked about the opportunities for local businesses, the benefits of the proposal given its’ proximity to the St Georges Pool, increased on street parking from the proposal and the expected customer profile in terms of age ranges.
In response, it was noted that whilst the facility would be a commercial entity, it would also provide a number of features that would be open to the public for free.
The facility would be opened all year round and the restaurant space would only be open when the lido was in use. The restaurant had been reduced in scale to ensure that it was an ancillary use. The development would provide a completely different offer to that offered by the St Georges Pool, in terms of size and the nature of the facilities amongst other issues. It should complement the pool. There would be a range of attractions for customers of all age groups and the proposal should reduce ASB at the site by improving natural surveillance. Officers also responded to the points about the consultation.
The Committee sought to ensure that the condition proposed by the London Wildlife Trust requiring a long term management plan would be secured by condition. Officers confirmed that a condition would be imposed to secure a Wetland Monitoring and Management Plan. In drafting the condition, Officers would consult the London Wild life Trust and incorporate their suggestion in the condition.
On a vote of 5 in favour of the Officer recommendation, 1 against and 0 abstentions the Committee RESOLVED:
That the planning permission at Brussels Wharf, Glamis Road, E1W 3TD be GRANTED for
Development of 50 x 8.5m natural swimming pool and kid's pool incorporating a surfaced beach area and sun terrace, changing rooms, toilet, disabled facilities and kiosk (Use Class D2, A1-A3).
A café restaurant incorporating 1st floor viewing platform and integrated public toilet block and ground floor level (Use Class A3)
Ecological improvements to Shadwell Basin including new wet land park with improved fishing pitches
A new foot bridge and decked area (Science Deck). A new canoe polo court in Shadwell Basin(PA/16/01978)
Subject to:
That the Corporate Director of place is delegated authority to issue the planning permission and impose conditions and informatives to secure the matters set out in the Committee report and the additional conditions in the update report.
Supporting documents: