Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Henry Colthurst, George Gillon, Alderman Robert Howard, Oliver Lodge and Deputy James Thomson.

There were no declarations of interest.

To agree the public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 5 July 2016.

RESOLVED – That the public minutes of the meeting held on 5 July 2016 be agreed as a correct record subject to the following amendments:

Public Minutes 24 May and 5 July 2016

The inclusion of the reference to the amendment of the public minutes of the meeting held on 26 April 2016 as follows:

‘That the minutes of the meeting held on 26 April 2016 be agreed as a correct record subject to the question relating to the North-South Cycle Superhighway at Minute 17 - Non-public questions - being recorded at Minute 10 - Public questions’

Members Present

The inclusion of Graeme Harrower as being present.

Public Lift Update

The Committee expressed concern that there was no officer from the City Surveyors in attendance at the meeting and asked that an officer be available at every meeting in the future.

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 development and advertisement applications dealt with under delegated authority.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted

Proposal: Lloyds Chambers 1 Portsoken Street London E1 8BT

Demolition of existing building and erection of a new building comprising ground plus 12 storeys and 3 basement levels, including Class B1a office use, flexible

Class A1/A2 use at the ground floor, and flexible Class A1/A2/A3/D2 use at ground and basement levels associated landscaping works, vehicular access and other

works incidental to the development (47,262sq.m GIA).

Registered No: 16/00209/FULMAJ

The Chief Planning officer advised the Committee of an amendment to Recommendation 1 (to recommend approval rather than delegation to the Chief Planning Officer to determine), an amendment to Condition 34 and amendments to the Mayoral Planning Obligation Net Liability figures which had been tabled.

Mr Bernard Harris spoke in objection on behalf of Marlyn Lodge Management Co. to express concerns including regarding noise disturbance, possible structural damage due to the deep excavations, loss of residential amenity and impact of construction traffic.

The Committee received a late letter of objection from Mr Tristan Gielen on behalf of TfL    and he was given an opportunity to express TfL’s concerns which related to the relocation of the service access.

Mr Jim Pool, Mr Liam Dunford and Mr Peter Caneparo spoke on behalf of the applicant.

The Committee discussed the proposal in relation to the concerns including the extent of adverse sunlight and daylight impacts, the BRE Guidance, and Local Plan policies relating to protection of daylight and sunlight.   It was felt that the loss of light caused by the proposed development, although noticeable, was acceptable within the urban context of the City. The scheme would also provide an employment led mixed use development which

would support the economic policies of the London Plan and Local Plan.

TfL’s concerns regarding the proposed service access being located at Goodman’s Yard were noted, but the Committee considered

Proposal: Dewhurst House 24-30 West Smithfield London EC1

Conversion and part demolition of the building to create a hotel (Class C1), including refurbishment of the northern part of the building fronting West Smithfield and Hosier Lane and demolition of the southern part of the building

fronting Cock Lane and erection of an 8 storey extension above ground and single level shallow basement below; alteration to rear service bay area, including the provision of 1 no. disabled parking space and cycle parking; replacement plant at roof level and basement, including reduction of existing plant enclosure on northern part of the building; ancillary restaurant at basement level and other

incidental works, all in connection with the change of use

of the building.

Registered No: 16/00215/FULMAJ

The Chief Planning Officer advised the Committee of an amendment to Recommendation 1 (to recommend approval rather than delegation to the Chief Planning Officer to determine). The Chief Planning Officer also advised that an email had been received from Smithfield Market Tenant’s Association to confirm support for the application and that they believed the proposed development would be a welcome addition to the area.

The Committee was advised that loss of office use at the site was accepted in the extant planning permission for change of use to residential. In support of the current application, a financial viability assessment had been prepared, the conclusions of which satisfactorily demonstrated that the office use at this site would not be financially or commercially viable and the principle of the change of use is

considered to be in accordance with relevant policies.

The Committee expressed the view that the proposed part refurbishment and part redevelopment of the site to provide a hotel would not prejudice the business function of the City and would provide a complementary use which would contribute

Proposal: Retention of Shop front

The Committee was advised that planning permission was granted in 2015 for the installation of new shop fronts to the Fleet Street and Chancery Lane elevations and relocation of entrance to Fleet Street. The scheme was a negotiated scheme, where the applicant was given clear advice as to what would and would not be acceptable and that the granite cladding should be retained.

The Committee considered that the current shop front was totally out of character and detracted from the character and appearance of the Fleet Street Conservation area. The applicant had also demonstrated a blatant disregard for the advice provided by officers.

Upon being put to the vote the application was refused.

Vote: 27 in favour, 0 against, 0 abstentions.

RESOLVED – That the application be refused for the reasons set out in the report schedule and the Chief Planning Officer be authorised to commence enforcement action in order to remove the ground floor cladding and reinstate the granite.

The Committee received a report of the Director of the Built Environment seeking approval of the draft Enforcement Plan consultation which set out the City’s approach to planning enforcement including trees.

RESOLVED – that the draft text of the Enforcement Plan be agreed and issued for public consultation for six weeks.

The Committee received a report of the Director of the Built Environment setting out the background and preparation process for the proposed adoption of the City Public Realm Supplementary Planning Document (SPD). The purpose of the document was to provide a coordinated policy approach to the design and management of the public realm in the City.

RESOLVED – To

1)     Approve the proposed amendments to the City Public Realm Supplementary Planning document set out in Appendix 2 of the report; and

2)     AdopttheCity Public RealmSupplementaryPlanning Document as amended (Appendix3 of the report).

The Committee received a report of the Director of the Built Environment seeking approval to publish the Local Plan Issues and Options public consultation document.

The Committee noted that details of the public consultation itself were still being finalised and asked that this be structured in such a way so that members of the public did not have to read through the entire document and should include public meetings, leaflets and questionnaires.

RESOLVED - to

1)            Approve the draft Local Plan Issues and Options document for public consultation; and

2)            Delegate authority to the Director of the Built Environment to make minor editorial amendments prior to publication of the Issues and Options document for public consultation.

The Committee received a report of the Director of the Built Environment seeking approval to extend the contract with ESRI, the supplier of the GIS (mapping) software.

The Committee was advised that the number of licences currently available was insufficient to meet the business need and rather than purchasing individual licences it was cheaper and more effective to enter into a three year Enterprise Licence Agreement which would enable the licence pool to be extended as business needs developed.

In response to a question the Director of the Built Environment advised that the cost of the Licence was spilt between all the departments that used it.

RESOLVED – To

1)        Approve the waiver of regulation 9 of the Corporation’s Procurement Regulations; and

2)        Approve the award of the contract for the ESRI Enterprise Licence Agreement to ESRI(UK) for a value of £40,000pa for the period of 3 years (£120,000 in total).

Joint Report of the Director of Open Spaces and the Director of the Built Environment.

The Committee received a joint report of the Director of Open Spaces and the Director of the Built Environment detailing a proposal to develop a programme to enhance the churchyards in the City.

The Committee noted that the churchyards were historic open spaces and had

collective significance as a cultural asset. They formed the setting for the

numerous listed churches and ancient monuments and were essential places for workers, visitors and residents to rest and enjoy. Many were popular green spaces, however, others were underutilised, uninspiring and in need of improvement.

The establishment of the Churchyards Enhancement Programme would address the

need for improvements to the churchyards in order to support the Future City, and individual projects would then be initiated and progressed through the City’s project gateway process as usual.

In response to a question concerning the financing of individual projects, and whether churchyards were actually part of the public realm or the responsibility of the Diocese, the Committee was advised that it was envisaged that projects would be funded from a variety of sources including CIL, the Diocese and grants.

A member also commented that the churchyards should be non-smoking.

Resolved – that Members approve the initiation and development of the

Programme utilising £85,000 from the CIL Public Realm and Local Transport Improvements pot.

The Committee received a report of the Director of the Built Environment setting out the progress against the 2015/16 Business Plan and the Financial Outturn report for the department.

The Committee was advised that the 2015/16 year end outturn position for the Department of Built Environment services covered by Planning & Transportation Committee revealed a net underspend for the department of £371k (4%) against the overall net local risk budget of £9.1m for 2015/16.

The Committee noted a request to carry forward the majority of this underspend into 2016/17 which would be considered by the Chamberlain in consultation with the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Resource Allocation Sub Committee.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

Report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection.

The Committee received a report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection regarding the Audit and Risk Management Committee’s deep dive review into how air quality matters are being handled by the City Corporation. The Director advised that air quality had been identified by the new Mayor of London as being a priority issue. In addition, the Greater London Authority had introduced criteria for a London local authority to be awarded ‘exemplar borough’ status in action against air pollution. The City Corporation hoped to achieve this by continuing to demonstrate that the City was doing above and beyond what was expected for statutory compliance to improve air quality and reduce public exposure to pollutants.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

Report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection that sought approval for the proposed draft City of London Noise Strategy 2016-2026 to undergo external consultation until 17 October 2016. Members noted that comments could be provided to the report author (Pollution Team Manager, Department of Markets and Consumer Protection) throughout the consultation process, which would include consultation via the public website and contact with local businesses, Residents’ Associations and neighbouring boroughs.

In response to Members’ questions and concerns regarding noise from regular and ad hoc events, the Director advised that the City Corporation’s events policy would be taken into account in the Strategy.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

Report of the Chamberlain.

The Committee received a report of the Chamberlain that set out the Responsible Procurement Strategy to support the Air Quality Strategy. Members noted that the new Strategy would increase the use of low emissions vehicles and reduce environmental impact by sourcing sustainable food, timber and other goods and by optimising environmental management practices.

RESOLVED – That the Responsible Procurement Strategy to support the Air Quality Strategy be noted.

Report of the City Surveyor.

The Committee received a report of the City Surveyor in relation to the public lift service.

The Committee expressed frustration that performance still failed to improve and asked that immediate steps be taken to improve the service.

Written responses were requested to the following questions:

Short Term Lets

‘It is an offence for dwellings to be let out on a short term basis for more than 90 days per calendar year.

To do this planning permission is required and if this has not been obtained a fine of up to £20K may be levied as this is a breach of planning control.

This is a growing problem in the City (particularly in the Barbican) - what is the process that should be followed to put a stop to this?’

Barts Square

‘Can anything be done about the contractor noise arising from Bart’s Square development’?

Bus Stops

‘Can we push TfL to create more temporary bus-stops where buses have been diverted onto alternate routes due to construction works?’

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 I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

To agree the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 5 July 2016.

RESOLVED – That the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 24 May 2016 be agreed as a correct record.

There were no non-public questions.

There were no non-public items of urgent business.