Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Sophie Fernandes, George Gillon, Brian Harris, Brian Mooney, Alderman Neil Redcliffe, Tom Sleigh and Patrick Streeter.

To agree the public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 11 November 2014.

RESOLVED - That the Minutes of the meeting held on 11 November 2014 be approved.

Report of the Chief Planning Officer and Development Director relative to development and advertisement applications dealt with under delegated authority.

The Committee received a report of the Chief Planning Officer and Development Director relative to development and advertisement application dealt with under delegated authority since the previous meeting.

Report of the Chief Planning Officer and Development Director.

The Committee received a report of the Chief Planning Officer and Development Director which provided details of valid planning applications received by the Department.

Registered Plan No.: 14/00878/FULMAJ

Proposal: Refurbishment and extension of the existing office building including (i) the construction of an additional storey (incorporating plant) (ii) reconstruction of the facade on Aldersgate Street (iii) provision of retail floorspace (Class A1) at ground floor level (84sq.m.) (iv) provision of roof terraces at 7th and 8th floor levels (v) installation of an additional access point at the rear of the building, and (vi) associated internal and external alterations (total increase in floorspace 1,913sq.m.).

The Chief Planning Officer and Development Director detailed site and surrounding information to Members.

Robert Barker, Gillie Bexson, Averil Baldwin, Alpesh Lad and Ann Holmes spoke against the application and Martin Claisse, Tim Fyles and Sam Hine spoke in favour of the application.

During the discussion, amongst several points particular reference was made to the following –

·         The impact of the increase in height and bulk at roof level on the daylight and sunlight hours and amenity of surrounding residential properties, and sunlight/daylight to the play area adjacent to Seddon House  Some Members expressed concern notwithstanding  that the Daylight and Sunlight Report submitted with the application stated that as a result of the proposed development, all windows within the surrounding residential properties would meet the Building Research Establishment (BRE) good practice guidelines for daylight and sunlight; and that the Light Pollution and Amenity Report submitted during the application process stated that the proposals would result in no change to the sunlight condition to the play area adjacent to Seddon House.

·         Members discussed the proposal for the creation of roof terraces on the 7^th and 8^th floor levels and expressed concern regarding noise nuisance and it was considered that this would have a detrimental impact on residential amenity.

Upon being put to the vote, planning permission

Proposal: Ground plus five storey over site development at Farringdon East Station, comprising office (B1) (11,211sq.m) with associated cycle parking, servicing, storage and plant and use of void space within the station infrastructure fronting onto Lindsey Street, Charterhouse Square and Hayne Street for retail use (Use Classes A1-A5), (286sq.m) office entrance and servicing.

The Chief Planning Officer and Development Director detailed site and surrounding information to Members.

Charlie Hobson and Mike Fox spoke against the application and Daniel Moore spoke in favour of the application.

The Committee supported the principle of the application, however expressed some concerns regarding the office entrance on Lindsey Street.  Members noted that due to the site constraints there was room for only the office entrance lobby at ground floor level and the remainder of the office floor space would be located on the upper floors.

Concerns were expressed regarding the bulk and scale of the development, the design of the development, light spillage from it and its impact on the adjoining conservation areas and listed buildings, particularly related to Charterhouse.

A motion was proposed and seconded to defer the application as it was considered that alterations could make the scheme acceptable.

RESOLVED – That the application for planning permission be deferred to a future meeting to address concerns in relation to the office entrance , the bulk and scale of the development, light spillage and impact on adjoining conservation areas and listed buildings.

Registered Plan No.: 14/00998/FULL

Proposal: Installation of new accessible entrance doors and glazed surround on the Tallis Street elevation of the building in association with the public house (Use Class A4) (public house use approved under planning permission dated 11.04.2000, ref: 5203N).

The Chief Planning Officer and Development Director detailed site and surrounding information to Members.

In considering the application, a motion was proposed and seconded to include conditions which addressed the following points –

·         the proposed entrance doors should be used for ingress and egress purposes only whilst the premises were in operation and should be kept closed at all other times.

·         the proposed entrance doors must be fitted with opening and self-closing mechanisms.

·         The entrance lobby should not be used for any activities associated with the Class A4 use other than for access purposes and for entering or leaving the premises. 

RESOLVED – That planning permission be granted for the proposal in accordance with the attached schedule, subject to the inclusion of additional conditions to address the points made as follows –

·         the proposed entrance doors shall be used for ingress and egress purposes only whilst the premises were in operation and shall be kept closed at all other times.

·         the proposed entrance doors must be fitted with opening and self-closing mechanisms.

·         The entrance lobby shown on drawing number 1135-12-010G shall not be used for any activities associated with the Class A4 use other than for access purposes and for entering or leaving the premises.   

This application was deferred pending further information.

Registered Plan No.: 14/00433/FULMAJ

Proposal: The demolition of the existing buildings and construction of 2 basement levels and ground plus 16 storey building (89m AOD) comprising office (Class B1) use [35,658sq.m GEA] and retail (Class A1/A3) uses [758sq.m GEA] with servicing and plant facilities. [Total 36,416sq.m GEA].

The Chief Planning Officer and Development Director detailed site and surrounding information to Members.

RESOLVED – That,

a)    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 not to be issued until such obligations have been executed; and

b)    approval be given for Officers to negotiate and execute obligations in respect of those matters set out in the report under Section 106.

At this point, the time limit for Committee meetings as set out in Standing Order No 40 had been reached, but there being a two-thirds majority of the Committee present who voted in favour of an extension, the Committee agreed to continue the meeting.

Registered Plan No.: 14/00780/FULMAJ

Proposal: The demolition of the existing building and construction of a new office building (Class B1) comprising 7 storeys plus basement and associated hard and soft landscaping, roof top plant, accessible terrace, access and servicing, ancillary cycle parking and other associated works.

The Chief Planning Officer and Development Director detailed site and surrounding information to Members.

RESOLVED – That planning permission be granted for the development referred to above in accordance with the details set out on 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 and any necessary agreements and stopping up of the highway under Section 278 of the Highway Act 1980.  In the event any necessary consents or agreements are not forthcoming then the matter will be referred back to the Planning and Transportation for consideration.

Joint report of the Director of the Built Environment and the Chief Planning Officer and Development Director.

This item was deferred to a Special Meeting of the Planning and Transportation Committee on 15 December 2014.

Report of the Director of the Built Environment, being considered by the Policy and Resources Committee on 11 December 2014, and the Court of Common Council on 15 January 2015.

This item was deferred to a Special Meeting of the Planning and Transportation Committee on 15 December 2014.

Joint report of the Chamberlain, Director of the Built Environment and Director of Culture, Heritage and Libraries.

This item was deferred to a Special Meeting of the Planning and Transportation Committee on 15 December 2014.

Report of the Chamberlain, being received by the Finance Committee on 9^th December 2014, the Court of Common Council on 15 January 2014 and the Streets and Walkways Sub Committee on 19^th January 2015.

This item was deferred to a Special Meeting of the Planning and Transportation Committee on 15 December 2014.

Report of the City Surveyor.

This item was deferred to a Special Meeting of the Planning and Transportation Committee on 15 December 2014.

The Police Committee requests that the Planning and Transportation Committee, during their consideration of the development application in relation to 21 Moorfields, gives consideration to including a planning condition such that any planning consent which may be granted is contingent upon the development providing sufficient CCTV coverage of the nearby entrances to the Barbican Highwalk on the grounds that this would have a significant benefit to public safety.

This item was deferred to a Special Meeting of the Planning and Transportation Committee on 15 December 2014.

Report of the Director of the Built Environment.

This item was deferred to a Special Meeting of the Planning and Transportation Committee on 15 December 2014.

Report of the Comptroller and City Solicitor, being considered by the Policy and Resources Committee on 11 December 2014.

This item was deferred to a Special Meeting of the Planning and Transportation Committee on 15 December 2014.

Report of the City Surveyor, being considered by the Projects Sub Committee under Urgency provisions.

This item would be dealt with under Urgency procedures as a decision was required by 1 December 2014.