Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Randall Anderson, Dennis Cotgrove, the Reverend Dr Martin Dudley, Sophie Anne Fernandes, Alderman Timothy Hailes, Gregory Jones QC, Deputy Henry Jones, Alderman Professor Michael Mainelli, Paul Martinelli, Brian Mooney, Deputy Alistair Moss, Deputy Henry Pollard, Alderman William Russell and Tom Sleigh.

There were no declarations of interest.

Item 2 – Declarations of interest – “Gregory Jones QC declared a non-pecuniary interest in respect of item 7C and did not take part in any discussion or vote.”

Item 3 – The Minutes of the meeting held on 13 July 2015 were further amended to provide consistency as follows –

“Mr Whitehead (Chairman of Breton House) and Mr Bruce Badger (Chairman of Ben Johnson House)…”

Report of the Chief Planning Officer and Development Director relative to development and advertisement applications dealt with under delegated authority.

The Committee received a report of the Chief Planning Officer and Development Director in respect of the development and advertisement applications dealt with under delegated authority since the last meeting.

Report of the Chief Planning Officer and Development Director.

The Committee received a report of the Chief Planning Officer and Development Director which provided details of valid planning applications received by the department since the last meeting.

Proposal: Application under S.73A of the Town & Country Planning Act 1990 to remove condition 6 of the planning permission dated 15.11.2010 (Application Number 10/00816/FULL) restricting the late opening hours to a temporary period.

Registered Plan no.: 12/01099/FULL

During the discussion, reference was made to the transmission of noise and Members were informed that there was a condition on the license on sound limiting.  Members noted that any action to deal with not conforming with the management plan would be addressed through licensing.

Vote, 12 in support, 2 against and 1 abstention.

RESOLVED – That planning permission for the removal of condition 6 be granted in accordance with the replacement schedule attached.

Proposal: Installation of replacement stair and new lift to the north east end of Blackfriars Bridge.

Registered Plan no.: 15/00589/FULL

Members noted that applications for planning permission and listed building consent were considered by Members of the Planning and Transportation Committee on 31 July 2015.  Both cases were deferred as the Committee concluded that further discussion and consideration with regards to the design and size of the proposal were required.

Tim Snell (Tideway) spoke in support of the application.

Vote, 14 in support, 1 against.

RESOLVED – That,

(a)  planning permission and listed building consent be granted for the proposal in accordance with the conditions set out in the schedules included within appendix A and B or as amended to take account of agreements relating to the City’s land and Assets; and

(b)  approval be given in principle to the area of the highway affected by the development being stopped up to enable the development to proceed, and upon formal application that officers are instructed to proceed with arrangements for advertising and making the stopping up order under the delegation arrangements approved by the Court of Common Council; and

(c)  the Comptroller and City Solicitor be authorised to enter into any related agreement under section 278 of the Highways Act 1980.

RESOLVED - That listed building consent be granted in accordance with the attached schedule.

Report of the Chief Planning Officer and Development Director.

The Committee considered a report of the Chief Planning Officer and Development Director regarding the information requirements for the validation of planning applications.

RESOLVED – That a consultation exercise be undertaken with the local community, including applicants and agents, on the local list of information required with planning and other applications as set out in annexe A and annexe B to the report and that if no significant comments are received the Chief Planning Officer be authorised to adopt the Local List.

Report of the Chief Planning Officer and Development Director.

The Committee received a report of the Chief Planning Officer and Development Director which advised of the decisions made by the Planning Inspectorate on appeals made against the decisions of the City Corporation during January – August 2015.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of the Built Environment regarding the Barbican and Golden Lane Area Strategy.

The Deputy Chairman thanked the Assistant Director, Environmental Enhancements for an excellent report and for carrying out a comprehensive consultation process.

The Assistant Director, Environmental Enhancement advised Members that careful consideration was being given to the amenity of residents and any wider spread implications would require consultation with neighbouring authorities.  A Member made particular reference to consultation with the Speed House Group and ensuring the needs and desires of these residents were taken into account.

RESOLVED – That,

a)    the Barbican and Golden Lane Area Strategy is adopted, subject to the changes set out in Appendix 1 to the report; and

b)    top-up funding of £24,688 from Parking Surplus be approved to cover staff time until completion of the Barbican and Golden Lane Area Strategy.

The Committee received a report of the Director of the Built Environment which set out the progress made during Q1 (April – June) against the 2015/18 Business Plan.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

Report of the Town Clerk.

The Committee received a report of the Town Clerk which set out the City if London Corporation’s policy positioning on the issue of UK aviation capacity since 1996.

One Member considered that Heathrow would result in increased noise pollution, and that an estuary airport was a better option.

Vote – 14 in favour, 1 against, 1 abstention.

RESOLVED – That the report be endorsed comments forwarded to the Policy and Resources Committee.

Report of the Town Clerk.

The Committee received a report of the Town Clerk which provided details of the following decision taken under Urgency procedures, since the last meeting –

Farringdon East (Crossrail Over-Site Development) Planning Appeal

The applications, Crossrail, have appealed against the City’s non-determination of their application for the over-site development of the Farringdon East station site, bounded by Charterhouse Street, Lindsey Street, Long Lane and Hayne Street.

Approval was therefore given for the presentation of the City’s case to be made on the basis that the City’s concern regarding the planning application was – the location of the office entrance, the bulk and scale of the development, light spillage and impact on adjoining conservation areas and listed buildings.In addition, (subject to Counsel’s opinion) the City will query the applicant’s compliance with the Parliamentary Undertaking.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

Further to a question, the Chairman agreed to put an item on a future Agenda to discuss strategic policy CS7 - Eastern Cluster. 

The Chairman agreed to investigate the use of the public lift at Wood Street by businesses for transporting heavy goods.

There were no items of urgent business.