Agenda item

Demolition of the existing building and redevelopment to

provide a 36 storey building with 28 floors for office use

(Class B1) with retail floorspace (Class A1-A4), office

lobby and loading bay at ground floor, 2 levels of retail

floorspace (flexible Class A1-A4) at first and second floors,

a publicly accessible terrace at second floor, 5 floors of

plant and ancillary basement cycle parking, cycle facilities

and plant (63,273sq.m GIA) (182.7m AOD).

The Committee considered a report of the Chief Planning Officer concerning the proposed development at Leadenhall Court, 1 Leadenhall Street.

The Committee noted that the proposed development would provide a 36 storey building comprising three basement levels, three storeys of retail space (including a public terrace on the second floor), a double height plant space (on the third floor), 28 floors of office space (incorporating two office terraces) and four levels of plant space (on the 32nd-35th floors). The accommodation would be arranged around a central core.

The Chief Planning Officer reported that the Mayor of London supported the scheme in strategic planning terms. Historic Royal Palaces had objected to the scheme on the grounds of its impact on the World Heritage Site and the Victorian Society has objected to the application expressing concern about the impact the proposal would have on the setting and character of neighbouring listed buildings.

The Committee was advised that the proposal accorded with the development plan as a whole and preserved the setting of neighbouring listed buildings. It was acceptable subject to the imposition of conditions, and to a Section 106 agreement and any necessary agreements under Section 278 of the Highways Act 1980 being entered into to address the matters set out in the report.

Following the Chief Planning Officer’s presentation setting out the key aspects of the planning application, a number of questions were raised in relation to the delivery and servicing plans, in particular the proposals for Whittington Avenue, retail use, the impact on neighbouring conservation  areas, overshadowing, and long term adequacy of the transport infrastructure and air quality.

Officers explained that a lot of work had been done during the pre-application stage to assess the long term viability of all aspects of the design, and discussions regarding the servicing had been paramount. Assurances were given that the scheme, which accorded with both the Local Plan and the London Plan, would deliver a substantial public space and consolidated access arrangements would be in place through the S.106 agreement.

The Committee noted that Officers and Members had worked hard with the developer to ensure that various objections had been addressed and the location and design was appropriate. 

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

17 votes in favour of the application

2 abstentions

RESOLVED - That

a)            The Mayor of London be 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); and

b)            Planning permission be GRANTED for the above proposal in accordance

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

obligations and other agreements being entered into in respect of those

matters set out in the report, the decision notice not to be issued until such

obligations have been executed.

(c)        Officers be instructed to negotiate and execute obligations in

respect of those matters set out in the report under Section 106 and any

necessary agreements under Section 278 of the Highway Act 1980.