Agenda item

Report of the Senior Planning Officer.

The Committee received a report of the CPO in relation to the demolition of the

existing building and erection of a new building at 6-8 Bishopsgate and 150 Leadenhall Street London.

The CPO advised that the proposed development would provide a significant increase in flexible officeaccommodation, retail uses and publicly accessible space on this site, whichwould assist in meeting the needs of the financial and business services of theCity as well as visitors. The Assistant Director  (Design) further described the proposals. 

Members asked a number of questions concerning the pavement space at ground level and the impact on the safety of pedestrians and cyclists, whether or not advertising boards could be prohibited, what the consolidation arrangements were, whether or not the S106 Agreement could include the developer addressing any resulting wind tunnel and general safety issues, and whether or not the design could be improved to prevent the reduction of space at ground level.

Debate ensued and while many Members spoke in support of the application, they also expressed concern about the lack of pavement space and the risks to pedestrians. It was noted that the proximity of the proposed building to the new Crossrail station would also increase the number of pedestrians in the area.

Officers advised that appropriate highway measures would be secured through S.278 arrangements as part of the S106 Agreement, and obstructions on the pavement would also be prohibited.

The Director of the Built Environment advised that there was currently an area strategy in place for the area and suggested these issues could be looked at again as part of that.

The CPO suggested that were the Committee minded to approve the application, it would be possible to do so and refer any S278 agreements and related highway requirements back to the Committee for further scrutiny.

The Chairman agreed and MOVED an amendment to Recommendation 3) which was SECONDED by the Deputy Chairman.

The amendment was put to the vote and was UNANIMOUS.

The Committee then voted on the substantive proposals as amended, the result of which was as follows:

16 votes in favour

6 votes against

RESOLVED – That

1)     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);

2)     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;

3)     Officers be instructed to negotiate and execute obligations in

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

4)     Officers be instructed to negotiate obligations in respect of agreements under Section 278 of the Highway Act 1980, and that these be brought back to the Committee for approval prior to execution.