Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Sophie Anne Fernandes, Christopher Hayward, Deputy Henry Jones, Brian Mooney, Alderman William Russell and Graeme Smith.

There were no declarations of interest.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 13 July 2015 be approved subject to the following amendments –

Mr John Whitehead and Mr Bruce Badger spoke in objection to the application and set out residents’ concerns in respect of noise, changes to the listed fabric of the Barbican (i.e. the new plant room)., light from the frontage, smells from smokers and the café.    

The Architect, Mr James Taylor, advised Members that following the signing of an agreement to lease there have been two further meetings with the Barbican Association all consultation feedback had been carefully considered and he had twice met the Barbican Association to discuss aspects of the lease.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the Streets and Walkways Sub Committee held on 22 June 2015 be noted.

To consider Orders of the Court of Common Council of 25 June 2015 referring to the Committee resolutions of the Grand Court of Wardmote.

The Committee noted the resolutions as follows –

From the Ward of Farringdon Within – Members were informed that a report would be submitted to the Committee later in the year regarding the disturbance at Cloth Fair.

From the Ward of Portsoken – The matter of the increase in rent of shop units would be dealt with by the Community and Children’s Services Committee.

Report of the Chief Planning Officer and Development Director.

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:  Demolition of existing buildings and redevelopment to provide a new building comprising lower ground and basement levels, ground and mezzanine levels plus part 8, part 20 and part 40 storeys plus plant [185.1m AOD to provide office (Class B1) use [70,053sq.m GEA], flexible shop/cafe and restaurant (Class A1/ A3) uses [418sq.m GEA] at part ground floor and mezzanine levels and flexible shop/cafe/restaurant /office (A1/A3/B1) uses [235sq.m GEA] at part ground floor and mezzanine levels; and a publicly accessible roof top pavilion (sui generis) [795sq.m GEA] at level 40; the provision of hard and soft landscaping. [TOTAL 71,501sq.m GEA].

The Chief Planning Officer and Development Director advised of the following amendments/inclusions -

Amended conditions:

Page 83, Condition 1:

The applicant has now requested a 5 year time limit for implementation. This is considered appropriate and Condition 1 has been amended accordingly.

Page 84, Condition 5:

Following a request from TfL, Condition 5 (Facilities to accommodate construction vehicles) has been subdivided into two conditions covering demolition and construction phases.

Page 87, Condition 18:

The relevant Local Plan policies (DM10.1, DM10.5, DM10.8, DM12.1, DM12.2.) have now been appended.

Additional Conditions:

Before any works including demolition are begun a site survey shall be carried out and details must be submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority indicating the proposed finished floor levels at basement and ground floor levels in relation to the existing highway levels. The development shall be carried out in accordance with the approved site survey unless otherwise agreed in writing by the local planning authority.

REASON: To ensure compliance with building lines and to ensure a satisfactory treatment at ground level in accordance with the following policies of the Local Plan: DM10.8, DM16.2.

Before any works including demolition are begun a survey of the perimeter

Proposal: Erection of combination payphone and ATM booth (Sui Generis) in lieu of existing public telephone kiosk (Sui Generis) and associated change of use.

The Committee were informed of the following amendment to the report -

Page 123: Reasons for Refusal, sixth line amended to “Bishopsgate Conservation Area”.

RESOLVED – That the application be refused for the reasons set out in the schedule within the report.

Proposal: Erection of combination payphone and ATM booth (Sui Generis) in lieu of existing public telephone kiosk (Sui Generis) and associated change of use.

The Committee were informed of the following amendment to the report -

Page 139: Reasons for refusal, third line amended to “St. Mary - Le - Bow Church listed Grade 1 to the east”.

RESOLVED – That the application be refused for the reasons set out in the schedule within the report.

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

During the discussion, the following comments were made - 

·         Members were informed that the new design would provide a better arrangement on the walkway.

·         Concern was expressed regarding the size of the lift, particularly the height.  Members were informed that the height of the lift was due to the height of the lift car and space needed for servicing it.

·         Members noted that issues regarding noise had been dealt with in lengthy discussions with the School and that negotiation was ongoing.

Upon being put to the vote, the application was deferred to allow further consideration as regards the design and size of the proposal.

RESOLVED – That planning permission be DEFERRED for further work to be undertaken regarding the design and size of the proposal.

RESOLVED – That consideration of the application for Listed Building Consent be deferred.

Report of the Chief Planning Officer and Development Director.

The Committee considered  a report of the Chief Planning Officer and Development Director which regarding the Visitor Management Plan which set out details of the access, ticketing and security arrangements applicable to the Sky Garden and the layout of the Sky Garden.

RESOLVED – that consideration of the Visitor Management Plan and the authorisation to enter into a Deed of Variation under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 be deferred to allow for a site visit to be undertaken.

Report of the Chief Planning Officer.

The Committee considered a report of the Chief Planning Officer and Development Director regarding the Fleet Street Conservation Area Character Summary and Management Strategy.

RESOLVED – That,

a)     the draft text of the Fleet Street Conservation Area Character Summary and Management Strategy SPD, appended as Appendix A to this report be approved and placed on the website as a ‘living draft’ prior to formal public consultation in autumn 2015;

b)    the Chief Planning Officer be authorised to make amendments in response to the public’s comments, providing these do not materially change the document;

c)    following informal public consultation the document be published for formal consultation, prior to any comments being received and your adoption of it as a Supplementary Planning Document.

Report of the City Surveyor.

The Committee considered a report of the City Surveyor which sought approval to declare the Car Park at 181 Queen Victoria Street as surplus for the purpose for which it was required.

RESOLVED – That the site (other than the City Fund Chamber) be declared surplus to the purpose for which it was acquired to allow for its transfer to BHE at fair value on terms to be approved by the Property Investment Board.

Further to a question, consideration would be given to how the Corporation assesses the Historical appropriateness of monuments within the City.

There were no items of urgent business.

MOTION – That under Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of the Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

RESOLVED – That under Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of the Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

Report of the Comptroller and City Solicitor.

The Committee received a report of the Comptroller and City Solicitor regarding land disposal at Victoria Embankment/Blackfriars Bridge foreshore.

There were no questions.

There were no items of urgent business.