Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Emily Benn, Ian Bishop-Laggett, Jaspreet Hodgson, Alderman and Sheriff Alastair King, Alderman Ian Luder, Deputy Brian Mooney, Deborah Oliver, Judith Pleasance, Ian Seaton, Shailendra Umradia and William Upton KC.

Ms Hodgson declared a non-pecuniary interest relative to Agenda Item 4 in relation to being a member at 10 Trinity Private Members Club as it was adjacent to the site in question.

Also in relation to Agenda Item 4, Deputy Packham declared that he was Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Deputy Anderson declared that he was Deputy Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Ms Benn declared that she sat on the Board of Governors of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. They advised that the Guildhall School of Music and Drama were currently in discussions with Dominus about the possibility of their students being housed in the Holborn Viaduct development that was recently passed by the Sub-Committee.

Deputy Fredericks declared that she was a Tower Ward Member and also lived in the Ward but did not live near the site concerned at the application under Agenda Item 4.

To agree the public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 31 January 2023.

The Sub-Committee considered the public minutes of the last meeting held on 31 January 2023 and approved them as a correct record.

Report of the Planning and Development Director.

The Sub-Committee considered a report of the Planning and Development Director concerning Friary Court 65 Crutched Friars London EC3N 2AE – specifically demolition of existing building and redevelopment of the site for a new building comprising basement, ground plus 20 upper floors (+74.9m AOD) for purpose built student accommodation (770 rooms) and associated amenity space (Sui Generis); Museum use at part ground, first and second floor levels (Use Class F1(c))(+3101sq.m GIA); hard and soft landscaping; ancillary plant and servicing; and associated works.

The Town Clerk referred to those papers set out within the main agenda pack as well as the Officer presentation slides and three addenda that had been separately circulated and published.

Officers presented the application, highlighting that the application site was located in the south-east of the City and was bounded by Carlisle Avenue to the west, Northumberland Alley to the south and Crutched Friars to the east. The site was adjacent to but not within the Lloyds Avenue Conservation Area. There were no listed buildings immediately adjacent to the site but there were some within the surrounding streets, Fenchurch Street Station and its associated conservation areas to the south of the site.

Officers shared a visual of the existing floor plan. The existing office building was arranged in a c-shape around a private sunken courtyard. The main entrance to the building was from Crutched Friars and the buildings were arranged around a central core with office accommodation in each wing. The current servicing bay was accessed from Rangoon Street. An entrance to a basement wine bar was also located along Crutched Friars. Officers reported that due to the nature of the building and the setback of the office entrance, there was little active frontage at the ground floor level of the building.

Next, Members were shown photographs

Report of the Planning and Development Director.

The Sub-Committee received a report of the Chief Planning Officer and Development Director detailing development and advertisement applications determined by the Chief Planning Officer and Development Director or those so authorised under their delegated powers since the report to the last meeting.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

Report of the Planning and Development Director.

The Committee received a report of the Chief Planning Officer and Development Director detailing development applications received by the Department of the Built Environment since the report to the last meeting.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

No questions were raised.

There were no additional urgent items of business for consideration.