Agenda item

Amendments to planning permission for the construction of a building arranged on three basement floors, ground and 61 upper floors plus mezzanines and plant comprising floorspace for use within Classes A and B1 of the Use Classes Order and a publicly accessible viewing gallery and facilities; hard and soft landscaping works; the provision of ancillary servicing and other works incidental to the development. This comprises changes to the layout and configuration of the basement and base of the building and includes the relocation of the retail units; changes to the proposed wind mitigation measures; changes to the cycle parking provision and facilities; changes to the Bishopsgate elevation at lower levels; changes to the art street; and changes to the proposed land use distribution and floor area.

The Committee considered a report of the Chief Planning Officer concerning an application proposing amendments to planning permission in respect of 22 Bishopsgate, London EC2N.

Members were advised that amendments to an approved building were not unusual for a complex scheme as the construction progressed; that these did not affect the wider impact of the scheme on the setting and were acceptable with an improved visual appearance of the building at the lower levels.  It was noted however that some changes would impact on the quality and space of the public realm as approved, for example in respect of bike parking provision.

A Member expressed concern about the alterations which he felt resulted in a loss of mixed use within the building and would have implications for public use. In addition, he felt that the inclusion of retail space elsewhere within the site did not off-set the loss of access and retail space on Bishopsgate.  In response the Chief Planning Officer explained that the proposed retail offer was greater in area than the original proposals and there were a number of benefits for public access as a result of the viewing gallery.

During this item, and in respect of Standing Order No. 40, the Chairman sought the Committee’s consent to extend the meeting to allow for the remaining business to be considered. Thiswas put to the meeting and AGREED.

The application was put to the vote, the result of which was as follows:-

17 votes in favour of the application

1 abstention.

Resolved: - That -  

(1)  planning permission be granted for the above proposal in accordance

with the details set out in the attached schedule subject to:

(a) the Mayor of London being given 14 days to decide whether to allow the Corporation to grant planning permission as recommended, or to direct refusal, or to determine the application himself (Article 5(1)(a) of the Town & Country Planning (Mayor of London) Order 2008);

(b)  planning obligations and other agreements being entered into under Section 106 of the Town & Country Planning Act 1990 and Section 278 of the Highway Act 1980 in respect of those matters set out in the report, the decision notice not to be issued until the Section 106 obligations have been executed;

(2)  the Committee agrees, in principle, that the land affected by the building which is currently public highway and land over which the public have right of access may be stopped up to enable the development to proceed and, upon receipt of the formal application, officers be instructed to proceed with arrangements for advertising and making of a Stopping-up Order for the various areas under the delegation arrangements approved by the Court of Common Council; and

(3)  Officers be instructed to negotiate and execute obligations in respect of those matters set out in "Planning Obligations" under Section 106 and any necessary agreements under Section 278 of the Highway Act 1980.