Agenda item
249-253 Cambridge Heath Road, London
Decision:
The Committee RESOLVED that planning permission for the demolition of existing two/three storey buildings and redevelopment of the site to provide an eleven storey building in connection with the use of the site for B1/A1/A2/A4 purposes at ground floor level and 305 student bedrooms on the upper floors with associated hard and soft landscaping at 249-253 Cambridge Heath Road be GRANTED subject to:
A Any direction by the Mayor
B The prior completion of a legal agreement, to the satisfaction of the Chief Legal Officer, to secure the following:
a) Car Free Agreement
b) Preparation of a Green Travel Plan
c) Public realm improvements including footpath upgrade, signage and street furniture: £200,000
d) Bus improvements: £20,000
e) Local labour in construction: £15,000
f) Contributions to Bethnal Green Gardens: £100,000
That the Head of Development Decisions be delegated power to impose conditions and informatives on the planning permission to secure the following:
Conditions
1) Time limit for Full Planning Permission
2) Details of the following are required:
· Elevation treatment including samples of materials for external fascia of building
· Ground floor public realm (detailed landscape plan for amenity courtyard as well as roof garden and ground floor public realm improvements
· The design of lower floor elevations of commercial units including shopfronts and community space
3) Landscape Management Plan required
4) Student housing Management Plan required
5) Restriction on hours of use of 5th floor roof terrace: 8 am to 8 pm
6) 278 (Highways) agreement required
7) Hours of construction limits (8 am to 6 pm Mon-Fri, 8 am to 1 pm Sat)
8) Details of insulation of the ventilation system and any associated plant required
9) Hours of operation limits – hammer driven piling (10 am to 4 pm Mon-Fri)
10) Details required for onsite drainage works
11) Full particulars of the refuse/recycling storage required
12) Code of Construction Practice, including a Construction Traffic Management Assessment required
13) Details of finished floor levels required
14) Details of surface water source control measures required
15) Biomass heating and renewable energy measures to be implemented
16) Black redstart habitat provision required
17) Land contamination study required to be undertaken
18) Any other condition(s) considered necessary by the Head of Development Decisions
Informatives
1) Environment Agency advice
2) Site notice specifying the details of the contractor required
3) Standard of fitness for human habitation, means of fire escape and relevant Building Regulations
That if by 18th July 2007 the legal agreement had not been completed to the satisfaction of the Chief Legal Officer, the Head of Development Decisions be delegated power to refuse planning permission.
Minutes:
Mr Michael Kiely, Head of Development Decisions, introduced the site and proposal for the demolition of existing two/three storey buildings and redevelopment of the site to provide an eleven storey building in connection with the use of the site for B1/A1/A2/A4 purposes at ground floor level and 305 student bedrooms on the upper floors with associated hard and soft landscaping at 249-253 Cambridge Heath Road.
Ms Petra Salva spoke in objection on the grounds that the proposed building was too high and the site was not suitable for student housing. She felt that there would be a loss of light; and there would be noise and traffic impact.
Ms Toni Merridew spoke in support of the application, on behalf of the women’s centre. She felt that the proposal would regenerate the area and provide jobs and childcare provision.
Mr Nick Brindley spoke on behalf of the applicant. He informed the Committee that the height of the building had been reduced. The daylight/sunlight report was acceptable and there would be a Section 106 legal agreement to secure funding for transport improvements in the area.
Mr Stephen Irvine, Development Control Manager, presented a detailed report on the application. He outlined the reasons why the proposal was acceptable in planning terms and addressed the concerns of the residents. The proposal was in line with BRE guidelines on daylight/sunlight and therefore a refusal on those grounds could not be sustained. He also advised that there was a shortage of student housing in London.
Members expressed concern that Tower Hamlets had accommodated numerous proposals for student housing in recent months and sought reassurance that other London boroughs were also providing as much student housing, as there was a need for social housing in the Borough. Members also asked questions relating the lease for the women’s centre. The Committee was advised that the latter point was not a material planning consideration.
The Committee RESOLVED that planning permission for the demolition of existing two/three storey buildings and redevelopment of the site to provide an eleven storey building in connection with the use of the site for B1/A1/A2/A4 purposes at ground floor level and 305 student bedrooms on the upper floors with associated hard and soft landscaping at 249-253 Cambridge Heath Road be GRANTED subject to:
A Any direction by the Mayor
B The prior completion of a legal agreement, to the satisfaction of the Chief Legal Officer, to secure the following:
a) Car Free Agreement
b) Preparation of a Green Travel Plan
c) Public realm improvements including footpath upgrade, signage and street furniture: £200,000
d) Bus improvements: £20,000
e) Local labour in construction: £15,000
f) Contributions to Bethnal Green Gardens: £100,000
That the Head of Development Decisions be delegated power to impose conditions and informatives on the planning permission to secure the following:
Conditions
1) Time limit for Full Planning Permission
2) Details of the following are required:
· Elevation treatment including samples of materials for external fascia of building
· Ground floor public realm (detailed landscape plan for amenity courtyard as well as roof garden and ground floor public realm improvements
· The design of lower floor elevations of commercial units including shopfronts and community space
3) Landscape Management Plan required
4) Student housing Management Plan required
5) Restriction on hours of use of 5th floor roof terrace: 8 am to 8 pm
6) 278 (Highways) agreement required
7) Hours of construction limits (8 am to 6 pm Mon-Fri, 8 am to 1 pm Sat)
8) Details of insulation of the ventilation system and any associated plant required
9) Hours of operation limits – hammer driven piling (10 am to 4 pm Mon-Fri)
10) Details required for onsite drainage works
11) Full particulars of the refuse/recycling storage required
12) Code of Construction Practice, including a Construction Traffic Management Assessment required
13) Details of finished floor levels required
14) Details of surface water source control measures required
15) Biomass heating and renewable energy measures to be implemented
16) Black redstart habitat provision required
17) Land contamination study required to be undertaken
18) Any other condition(s) considered necessary by the Head of Development Decisions
Informatives
1) Environment Agency advice
2) Site notice specifying the details of the contractor required
3) Standard of fitness for human habitation, means of fire escape and relevant Building Regulations
That if by 18th July 2007 the legal agreement had not been completed to the satisfaction of the Chief Legal Officer, the Head of Development Decisions be delegated power to refuse planning permission.
Supporting documents: