Agenda item

Report of the Chief Planning Officer

The Committee received a report of the Chief Planning Officer in relation to the construction of a mixed use development at 21 Moorfields to deliver a development that would provide trading floors and accommodation for Deutsche Bank’s European headquarters.

The Chief Planning Officer introduced the application and advised that an addendum detailing some minor amendments to the application had been tabled.

Mr Michael Swash spoke in objection to the application on the grounds that there would be a marked increase in traffic at unsocial hours along Moor Lane, which was predominantly a residential street with bedrooms facing onto the street. He urged members to consider the welfare of residents who would also suffer from the increase in environmental pollution.

Mr Ross Sayers from Landsec and Ms Kathryn Harrison from Deutsche Bank were heard in support of the application which would enable the retention of  approximately 5000 City jobs, significant public realm improvements, including the reinstatement of the City Walkway between the station, Moorgate

and the Barbican, and the delivery of an underused site that had not been developed since the 1970s.

Members asked a number of questions in relation to the management and servicing of the building, public consultation, how the objections raised by residents might be mitigated, and whether or not consolidation could take place offsite.

Debate ensued and many Members spoke in support of the application which they felt, on balance, was in substantial compliance with the development plan policies that related to it. In particular, the retention of a major European bank with 7,000 employees in London would support the objective of promoting the City as the leading international financial and business centre.

Members were also mindful of the concerns of residents, but overall considered that the developer had gone to great lengths to mitigate these and had committed to managing any potential issues on an ongoing basis.

Arising from the discussion the application was put to the vote and approval was UNANIMOUS.

RESOLVED –

1)            That 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;

2)            That 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; and

3)            That the draft statement set out at Appendix A and in the report are agreed as the Reasons for Grant and the Reasoned Conclusion of the Local Planning Authority on the significant effects of the proposals.