Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Mary Durcan, Deputy Marian Fredericks, Alderman Ian Luder, Deputy Shravan Joshi, Deputy Alastair Moss, Judith Pleasance, Shailendra Umradia and Alderman Sir David Wootton.

The Town Clerk advised that Deputy Fredericks had asked that the reason for her apologies be recorded. The Clerk stated that under paragraph 8e of the Planning Protocol, Members who had been involved in promoting a project should not also participate in making decisions on the planning application for the project, in order to maintain separation of functions between the developer and local planning authority (“LPA”) roles and Deputy Fredericks was at the Policy and Resources Committee which considered a report on the project on 7^th of July 2022.

Deputy Anderson declared a disclosable pecuniary interest relative to Agenda Items 4 and 5 as he lived in the area of the application. He confirmed he would not be speaking or voting on these items.

Ms Oliver declared a disclosable pecuniary interest relative to Agenda Items 4 and 5 as she lived in Shakespeare Tower and was a member of Shakespeare Tower House Group. She confirmed she would not be speaking or voting on these items.

Deputy Lloyd-Owen stared that she was a resident of the Barbican but lived on the London Wall side of Gilbert House, she had taken advice and was not considered to have a disclosable pecuniary interest. She confirmed she would take part in the consideration of Agenda Items 4 and 5.

To agree the public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 20 March 2023.

The Sub-Committee considered the public minutes of the last meeting held on 20 March 2023 and approved them as a correct record.

Report of the Planning & Development Director.

The Sub-Committee considered a report of the Planning and Development Director concerning a proposal for Barbican Podium Phase 2 for the installation of new waterproofing and drainage infrastructure. Works would comprise the removal of existing tiled hard surfaces, membranes and soft landscaping, demolition of existing link building between Ben Jonson House and Frobisher Crescent, alterations to the existing entrance to Exhibition Hall including the construction of a new entrance portal, installation of a new waterproofing membrane across the site and the repair and replacement of the drainage system and the reinstatement of a new tiled hard surface with a new soft landscaping layout (including raised planters, grassed areas, trees, community growing planters, new lighting, seating, wayfinding, informal play and exercise area and relocation of existing and installation of new public art).

The Town Clerk referred to those papers set out within the main agenda pack as well as the Officer presentation slides, and three addenda containing additional/late representations plus amended conditions that had been separately circulated and published.

Officers presented the application, stating that the most recent addendum circulated related to standard conditions regarding the circular economy, managing the reuse of existing materials on site and the content of recyclable material in new materials. The Officer explained that the site was in the north-eastern part of the City. The application was for Phase 2 of the waterproofing programme on the Barbican Estate and was an ongoing Children and Community Service’s project. Members were informed that Children and Community Services were the applicants.

An Officer stated that the Barbican Estate had important designations. It was in a conservation area, was a Grade 2 listed building and was a registered historic park and garden Grade 2*. It was designated as a Highwalk and largest public space in the Square Mile.

Members were

Report of the Planning & Development Director.

The Sub-Committee considered a report of the Planning and Development Director regarding Barbican Estate London EC2Y 8EN - Listed Building Consent for Barbican Podium Phase 2- specifically for the installation of new waterproofing and drainage infrastructure. Works comprise the removal of existing tiled hard surfaces, membranes and soft landscaping, demolition of existing link building between Ben Jonson House and Frobisher Crescent, alterations to the existing entrance to Exhibition Hall including the construction of a new entrance portal, installation of a new waterproofing membrane across the site and the repair and replacement of drainage system and the reinstatement of a new tiled hard surface with a new soft landscaping layout (including raised planters, grassed areas, trees, community growing planters, new lighting, seating, wayfinding, informal play and exercise area and relocation of existing and installation of new public art).

The Committee voted on these recommendations alongside those set out under Agenda Item 4.

Having fully considered the application, the Committee proceeded to vote on the recommendations before them.

Votes were cast as follows: IN FAVOUR – 13 Votes

         OPPOSED – None

         There were 2 abstentions.

The recommendations were therefore carried.

Deputy Randall and Ms Oliver who had declared disclosable pecuniary interests in this item, did not vote.

Report of the Planning & 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 & 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.

A Member stated that there had been the successful conversion of a number of office units to residential use. He stated that these were very narrow, low, Victorian buildings and were in conservation areas. He further stated that it would not be possible to convert these to A Grade Office use and they had been vacant for some time.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

A Member welcomed the inclusion of third-party ecological assessment and asked if consideration would be given to having an ecologist as part of the City staff. An Officer advised that there were ecological experts within the City. An information report could be submitted to the next meeting of the Planning and Transportation Sub-Committee.

There were no additional urgent items of business for consideration.