Agenda item

The Committee received a report of the CPO seeking planning permission and listed building consent for the erection of a nine storey tower extension, infill of existing courtyard, internal refurbishment, conversion of basements, provision of car and cycle parking, refuse and recycling storage and associated works for police station (sui generis) use. The report dealt with the relevant considerations for both applications.

The CPO advised that the proposed development would provide additional accommodation for the City Police and facilitate the rationalisation of the three existing Police stations within the City of London. The services provided by the Police Station were strategically located at this site, in close proximity to the Guildhall and other City administrative provisions.

Members noted that both Historic England and the Twentieth Century Society were concerned that the extension would cause serious harm to

the aesthetic value of the building and were not convinced that it had been demonstrated that the consolidation of the Police's use on this particular site had a public benefit that could outweigh this harm.

Several Members expressed the view that the harm was outweighed by the public benefits of the proposal that allowed local and national policing and security duties to be carried out in modern accommodation that met current day requirements.

Arising from the discussion the application was put to the vote, the result of which was as follows:

16 votes in favour of the application

4 votes against

RESOLVED – That planning permission be granted for the development referred to above in accordance with the details set out on the attached schedule