Agenda and minutes

Venue: Livery Hall - Guildhall

Contact: Joseph Anstee (temporary cover)
tel. no.: 020 7332 1480  Email: joseph.anstee@cityoflondon.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Rehana Ameer, Sir Mark Boleat, Henry Colthurst, Emma Edhem, Graeme Harrower, Judith Pleasance, James de Sausmarez and Graeme Smith.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 1.

2.

Members' Declarations under the Code of Conduct in respect of items on the agenda

Minutes:

Graham Packham declared a non-pecuniary interest in Item 9 (Illuminated River Project) by virtue of his being Chairman of the Culture, Heritage and Libraries Committee.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.

3.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 95 KB

To agree the public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 29 May 2018.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 3.

Minutes:

The Committee noted that a Member’s apologies for absence at the previous meeting had not been recorded and that this should be amended.

 

A Member commented that they had also expressed their concern about the condition of Blackfriars Bridge Underpass, and that given the underpass was used frequently by pupils, parents and prospective parents of the City of London School, the poor condition of the underpass reflected badly on the City of London Corporation. It was asked that these comments be included in the minutes as a matter of record.

 

RESOLVED – That, subject to these amendments, the public minutes and non-public summary of the meeting held on 29 May 2018 be agreed as a correct record.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

4.

Minutes - STREETS & WALKWAYS SUB-COMMITTEE - 21 May 2018 pdf icon PDF 83 KB

To receive the minutes of the Streets & Walkways Sub-Committee held on 21 May 2018.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 4.

Minutes:

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the Streets and Walkways Sub-Committee held on 21 May 2018 be received.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

5.

Delegated Decisions of the Chief Planning Officer and Development Director pdf icon PDF 113 KB

Report of the Chief Planning Officer and Development Director.

 

Due to the cancellation of the last meeting, Members are invited to consider the two attached reports dated 19 June and 10 July in relation to this item.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 5.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee received two reports 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.

 

RESOLVED – That the reports be noted.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

6.

Valid applications list for committee pdf icon PDF 58 KB

Report of the Chief Planning Officer and Development Director.

 

Due to the cancellation of the last meeting, Members are invited to consider the two attached reports dated 19 June and 10 July in relation to this item.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 6.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee received two reports of the Chief Planning Officer and Development Director detailing valid development applications received by the Department of the Built Environment since the last meeting.

 

In response to a query from a Member, the Chief Planning Officer and Development Director advised that planning applications relating to Great Arthur House and Golden Lane Community Centre were scheduled to be considered by the Committee at its meeting on 11 September 2018.

 

RESOLVED – That the reports be noted.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

7.

Wardmote Resolutions

To consider the following Resolutions from the Ward of Aldgate, and refer it to officers for action.

 

“That this Wardmote asks that the Court of Common Councilmen do consider the traffic situation around Fenchurch Street Station and in particular the taxi parking/queuing in Fenchurch Street between Fenchurch Place and Lloyds Avenue to include considering reversing the flow of traffic in Fenchurch Street to address traffic flow, environmental and health and safety concerns.”

and  

“That this Wardmote asks that the Court of Common Councilmen considers that the location of the motorcycle parking bay on Creechurch Lane for relocation back to its original position as had been understood would occur following completion of construction works.”

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 7.

Minutes:

The Committee considered the following Resolutions from the Ward of Aldgate:

 

“That this Wardmote asks that the Court of Common Councilmen do consider the traffic situation around Fenchurch Street Station and in particular the taxi parking/queuing in Fenchurch Street between Fenchurch Place and Lloyds Avenue to include considering reversing the flow of traffic in Fenchurch Street to address traffic flow, environmental and health and safety concerns.”

and  

“That this Wardmote asks that the Court of Common Councilmen considers that the location of the motorcycle parking bay on Creechurch Lane for relocation back to its original position as had been understood would occur following completion of construction works.”

The Chairman advised the Committee that as both Wardmote Resolutions were relevant to the work of the Streets & Walkways Sub-Committee, officers would be instructed to report to the Streets & Walkways Sub-Committee, who would then make recommendations to the Grand Committee. The Grand Committee would then decide on a final response to the resolutions.

 

RESOLVED – That the Wardmote Resolutions be received and noted, and referred to officers to prepare responses.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

8.

100, 106 and 107 Leadenhall Street pdf icon PDF 1 MB

Report of the Chief Planning Officer and Development Director

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 8.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report of the Chief Planning Officer and Development Director seeking planning permission for the proposed development of a tower comprising 56 storeys above ground level, providing offices, retail (ground floor), a publicly accessible viewing gallery and ancillary basement cycle parking, servicing and plant.

 

The Chief Planning Officer and Development Director introduced the application to Members and presented the officer’s report, informing the Committee about the details of the scheme and its wider implications. The Committee was also advised of objections that had been withdrawn since the publication of the agenda. The application was recommended for approval, subject to the approval of the Mayor of London and Section 106 agreement.

 

Oliver Caroe, Surveyor of the Fabric at St. Paul’s Cathedral, addressed the Committee in objection to the application. The scheme would cause harm and diminishment to St. Paul’s Cathedral, as acknowledged in the report, which was not mitigated by the benefits of the scheme, and there were development options easily achieved, for instance through a slight reduction in floorspace, which would not cause any harm. The view of the dome of St. Paul’s Cathedral, designed to be prominent and dominant, was being encroached upon and each application approved was causing incremental harm, which was not in accordance with essential stewardship responsibilities, shared values or adopted policy. It was felt that there were grounds to contest the officer’s report with regards to the impact assessment and the application’s adherence to developmental planning policies and National Planning Policy framework (NPPF). The scheme would cause harm to London’s greatest heritage asset and therefore any harm should accordingly be given the greatest weight.

 

Louise Newman addressed the Committee in support of the application, on behalf of the applicant. The scheme had been through a rigorous assessment process and the views of

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

9.

Illuminated River Project pdf icon PDF 4 MB

Report of the Chief Planning Officer and Development Director

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 9.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report of the Chief Planning Officer and Development Director covering the planning and listed building consent applications associated with the Illuminated River project within the City. The project comprised a major public art installation which would illuminate fifteen of the central London bridges across the River Thames, including six within the City of London.

 

The Comptroller and City Solicitor advised Members of an update to the report following the resolution of an issue relating to the boundary of London Bridge. The application was not a cross-boundary application as all of London Bridge and the application site fell within the City boundary, which was acknowledged by Southwark Council. As further publicity and consultation may be required, the recommendations should be amended to reflect this. It was also clarified that there were two Listed Buildings involved in the application, Blackfriars Bridge and Southwark Bridge and the main statutory duty in relation to the listed building applications was to have special regard to the desirability of preserving the listed building or its setting or any features of special architectural or historic interest it possesses.

 

An addendum detailing additional representations received after the publication of the agenda was circulated to Members. The Chief Planning Officer and Development Director introduced the application to Members and presented the officer’s report, informing the Committee about the details of the scheme and its wider implications. The application was recommended for approval, subject to the imposition of the conditions set out in the Schedule appended to the report.

 

At this point, the Chairman sought approval from Committee Members to continue the meeting beyond two hours from the appointed time for the start of the meeting, in accordance with Standing Order 40, and this was agreed.

 

Roy Palmer, a local resident, addressed the Committee in objection

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

10.

Bank on Safety pdf icon PDF 1 MB

Report of the Director of the Built Environment

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 10.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report of the Director of the Built Environment seeking a decision on the future of the current Bank on Safety experimental scheme.

 

The Committee was advised that the fundamental operation of the scheme could not be changed without restarting a six-month statutory consultation period, which could not be carried out under the existing experiment as it expired in November 2018. The consideration of whether taxis should be given access to the junction could not be added as an amendment to the current experiment. Members could still instruct officers to investigate and develop a new scheme which sought to introduce limited access for taxis in some form. However, first the Committee would still need to agree whether to keep the current experiment or revoke it and return to the previous operation. The Committee noted a draft minute of the Streets and Walkways Sub-Committee, which had already considered the report, tabled for information.

 

Members were strongly supportive of the experiment and felt it had been a great success. The new operation could be kept under review to explore any ways to make further improvements if possible. Following a brief discussion, the recommendation was put to the vote amongst Committee Members, who voted unanimously in favour of the recommendation.

 

RESOLVED – That, subject to the outcome of the Court of Common Council meeting in September 2018, the Planning & Transportation Committee agree to make the experimental traffic orders at Bank Junction (to restrict traffic to bus and cycle only, Monday to Friday 0700-1900) permanent, and to delegate authority to the Director of the Built Environment to take all steps necessary to put the relevant orders into effect.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

11.

MIPIM Property Conference 2018/2019 pdf icon PDF 145 KB

Report of the City Surveyor and the Director of the Built Environment

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 11.

Minutes:

The item was deferred.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

12.

Revenue Outturn 2017/18 pdf icon PDF 83 KB

Joint Report of the Chamberlain, the Director of the Built Environment, the Director of Open Spaces and the City Surveyor

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 12.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The item was deferred.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

13.

Outstanding References pdf icon PDF 63 KB

Report of the Town Clerk

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 13.

Minutes:

The item was deferred.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

14.

Questions on matters relating to the work of the committee

Minutes:

The item was deferred.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.

15.

Any other Business that the Chairman considers urgent

Minutes:

The Chairman advised the Committee that the decision made by the Committee in 2017 on a planning application relating to Inner Temple Library had been challenged. However, a permission application for a Judicial Review had been rejected by the High Court.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.

16.

Exclusion of the Public

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.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 16.

Minutes:

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.

 

Item No.                                            Exempt Paragraphs

17 - 18                                                            3

19                                                                    3, 5, 7

20 - 21                                                            -

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 16.

17.

Non-public minutes

To agree the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 29 May 2018.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 17.

Minutes:

The item was deferred.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.

18.

Thames Court Footbridge

Report of the Director of the Built Environment

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 18.

Minutes:

The Committee considered and unanimously approved a report of the Director of the Built Environment.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.

19.

Debt Arrears - Built Environment

Report of the Director of the Built Environment

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 19.

Minutes:

The item was deferred.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 19.

20.

Non-Public questions on matters relating to the work of the Committee

Minutes:

The item was deferred.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 20.

21.

Any other business that the Chairman considers urgent and which the committee agrees should be considered whilst the public are excluded

Minutes:

The Chairman reminded Committee Members of a forthcoming site visit.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 21.