Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Emma Edhem, Judith Pleasance, Jason Pritchard and Deputy James Thompson

The Chairman declared a non-pecuniary interest in respect of Agenda Items 8 and 9 in respect of 1&2 Garden Court and 3 Garden Court (Blackstone House) Middle Temple London by virtue of his association with the applicant.  The Deputy Chairman would take the Chair for these items and, as this was the last item of substantive business on the agenda, for the remainder of the meeting.  The Chairman would leave the meeting at this point and would not take part in the debate or vote on items 8 and 9.

Susan Pearson declared a pecuniary interest in respect of agenda item 7 – former Richard Cloudesley School, Golden Lane Estate, as she owns a flat adjacent to the site.  Ms Pearson had been granted a dispensation to speak on this matter but not to vote.

To agree the public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 20 February 2018

 RESOLVED, that -  the minutes of the meeting held on 20th February 2018 be agreed as a correct record.

Matters arising:

Members noted that Barker Bridge was currently out for consultation and the committee would receive a report in due course.

Chairman’s announcements:

Before commencing the business on the agenda, the Chairman welcomed Chief Commoner, Wendy Mead to the Committee.

The Chairman was also pleased to announce the following two Awards to the City of London Corporation:

•           Transportation: ‘Bank on Safety’ (working in Partnership with Transport for London).  There had been eight other shortlisted schemes in this category, including Crossrail.

•           National Urban Design for Aldgate. The Lord Mayor would officiate at the opening.

Members commended the project management skills of Sarah Whitehorn and the former Chairmanship (of the Streets and Walkways Sub Committee) of Marianne Fredericks.  

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 advertising applications, determined by the Chief Planning Officer and Development Director, or those so authorised under their delegated powers, since the last meeting of the Committee.

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 detailing valid development applications received by the Department of the Built Environment since the last meeting of the Committee.

RESOLVED, that – the report be noted.

Report of the Director of the Built Environment.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of the Built Environment which sought approval to increase the existing fees and charges, for service users of the District Surveyors’ service, to ensure full cost recovery of the service is maintained. 

RESOLVED, that:

1.     the new ‘City of London Building Control Charges Scheme No 2; 2018’;

2.     the new ‘Miscellaneous Building Control Charges No 2’; and

3.     the revised hourly rate of £107 per hour, be approved, effective from 1 April 2018.

Report of the Chief Planning Officer and Development Director

The Committee considered a report of the Chief Planning Officer in relation to the construction of a school, nursery, school hall, work space and 66 social housing units.  The Chief Planning Officer presented the report and design issues were presented by the Assistant Director (Design).   The City Solicitor drew Members’ attention to the approach to be adopted in considering a cross-boundary planning application.

The Chairman advised that a number of Planning Committee Members had visited the site.

Two residents spoke in objection, drawing Members’ attention to 1500 signatures opposing the development for being too large, of poor design and minimal standards.  They felt that consultation had been inadequate, with minimal adjustments as a result.  As Golden Lane already had a community centre, some residents felt it did not need another.  They urged Members to consider the welfare of residents affected by deliveries and servicing, and the noise from the new playground, and challenged whether the noise assessments had been accurate. They had further concerns about fire risk implications associated with the development of such a high tower block.  Both objectors felt that there were other options possible for providing these facilities, with a more sympathetic design and without adversely affecting Golden Lane residents. 

Three supporters spoke in support of the application which would relieve the considerable financial burden of private nursery fees, enable a well-regarded school to occupy the site, provide much needed social housing and regenerate the area.  They were concerned that any delay to the start of the scheme might risk the school having to move to another temporary site, unsettling the pupils, and to the detriment of their education. 

Gerald Mehrtens - Director of Academy Development, City of London Corporation (applicant) advised Members that pupil demand predictions, as required by the Department for Education, were rising.   The

Report of the Chief Planning Officer and Development Director

The Committee considered a report of the Chief Planning Officer, in relation to the change of use of one residential unit (Class C3) to office (Class B1).  Members noted that an identical application has been submitted to Westminster City Council.

Whilst there were no speakers in objection to the application, a late representation had been made and this was taken into account, along with other representations received from Westminster residents in respect of loss of daylight and sunlight, privacy, overlooking and an increased sense of enclosure, harm to the Strand and Temple Conservation Area, noise and disturbance during construction, removal of the existing fire escape and devaluation of nearby residential properties. 

The applicant’s agent set out the benefits of the scheme in securing the long-term future of Blackstone Chamber and the character of the Middle Temple Estate.  The applicant had worked with the local authority, heritage professionals and neighbouring residents to ensure a design which would be sensitive to heritage assets.   Furthermore, the scheme would resolve current damp and drainage issues and improve disabled access. 

Members asked a number of questions and noted that bedrooms were not afforded the same daylight protection as living rooms.  Members also noted that it would be possible to put a smaller fire escape in place. 

Debate ensued, and Members noted that the development complied with the NPPF and the Development Plan as a whole and was appropriate, subject to conditions.  In reaching their decision, Members noted that Blackstone House is an historic building, housing a leading set of Chambers and providing an extensive range of legal services. Furthermore, it is currently blighted by damp and drainage issues and its workspace is fragmented and inefficient.  Whilst some inconvenience to residents was acknowledged, Members recognised the need to balance this with the public benefit and

Report of the Chief Planning Officer and Development Director

Members considered a report of the Chief Planning Officer in respect of internal and external alterations including; the formation of enlarged openings in the rear of 2 Garden Court at second, third and fourth floor levels (in association with a glazed link structure), replacement of existing secondary glazing units and introduction of additional units, removal of structural and non-structural partitions, replacement internal lifts, installation of an air conditioning units above suspended ceiling rafts and associated refurbishment and repair works.

RESOLVED, that – Listed Building Consent be granted for the works referred to above in accordance with the details set out on the attached schedule.   

There were no questions.

There were no items.

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 Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act. 

Item nos                                                          Para no

13, 14                                                              -

There were no question.

There were no items.