Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Henry Colthurst, Deputy Henry Pollard, James de Sausmarez, Oliver Sells and William Upton.

Peter Bennett declared an interest in Item 7 by virtue of his being a Member of the Board of Trustees of the City of London Academies Trust.

Susan Pearson declared a pecuniary interest in Item 7 and confirmed that as she had not been granted dispensation would neither speak nor vote on this item.

Alderman Gregory Jones declared an interest in Item 11 as a Liveryman of the Leathersellers’ Company and confirmed he would withdraw from the meeting for the consideration of the item.

To agree the public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 8 October 2018.

The Committee noted that Sir Brian Langstaff was referred to in places as ‘Sir Langstaff’ and this should be amended so that he was referred to as Sir Brian Langstaff consistently.

The Committee noted that the church referred to on page 10 was a Welsh Church and not a Jewish Church, and that this should be amended.

RESOLVED – That, pending the above corrections, the minutes of the meeting held on Monday 8 October 2018 be agreed as a correct record.

Matters Arising

With regards to the application relating to Great Arthur House considered at the meeting of the Committee on 11 September, a Member asked officers for an update on the issue raised regarding the ceiling height in one of the units.

The Chief Planning Officer and Development Director responded that one room in one of the units had a ceiling height lower than the guideline height. The Department of Community and Children’s Services, as the applicant, was investigating how to deal with this and may need revised planning consent later on.

The Committee received the minutes of the Local Plans Sub-Committee meeting held on 19 September 2018 and the draft minutes of the Local Plans Sub-Committee meeting held on 9 October 2018.

Members suggested three amendments to the minutes of the meeting on 19 September 2018, with regards to Core Strategic Policy CSXX: Planning Contributions and Policy DM XX: Viability Appraisals. It should be clarified that it was the Housing Fund rather than the Corporation that lost out if the values used were not updated. A Member added that the policy needed to distinguish between the land values and the price paid, as they were not always the same. Members also noted a missing full stop in the minute relating to Core Strategic Policy CSXX: Aldgate and Tower. The Chairman advised that the amendments could be made at the next meeting of the Sub-Committee.

RESOLVED – That the Sub-Committee minutes be noted.

Report of the Chief Planning Officer and Development Director.

The Committee received a report of the Chief Planning Officer and Development Director in respect of development and advertising applications determined by the Chief Planning Officer and Development Director or those so authorised under their delegated powers since the last meeting.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

Report of the Chief Planning Officer and Development Director.

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

A Member commended the potential restoration of the pump outside 69 Leadenhall Street, in Aldgate ward, as it would be a valuable facility.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

Report of the Town Clerk.

The Committee considered a report of the Town Clerk concerning changes to the land transaction arrangements previously authorised by the Committee in order to ensure the land is held appropriately and to remove the risk of the scheme being impeded by injunction due to Right of Light infringements resulting from the scheme. The Committee noted a printing error in the report, that recommendation 2 should read that the Committee authorise the appropriation of the City’s Land from housing purposes to the planning purposes of facilitating the development of a new school and social housing.

A Member queried the recommendation of the report and argued that it was outside the Committee’s terms of reference, because the authority delegated to the Committee to appropriate by Court of Common Council was subject to the criteria for such appropriation as laid down by the Court of Common Council all being met. One of the criteria was whether the rights could be reasonably released by agreement. As there had not been an adequate attempt to remove the risk of the scheme being impeded through negotiation, and as the powers were to be used exceptionally as a last resort, it was felt that the criteria were not met. Therefore, recommendation was beyond the authority of the Committee to approve. The Planning Protocol states that applications regarding the City’s land must not be subject to preferential treatment but subject to the same rigorous evaluation as other applications. There was a report relating to a request by a third-party applicant at item 11, and the same considerations needed to be applied equally in both cases. If the Committee approved the recommendation it would be acting against procedure, and at risk of not complying with Protocol, and therefore the Committee should vote it down.

The Comptroller and City Solicitor

Report of the Chief Planning Officer and Development Director.

The Committee received a report of the Chief Planning Officer and Development Director informing Members that Bloomberg’s European Headquarters at 3 Queen Victoria Street had won the RIBA Stirling prize for architecture. The Chairman advised Members that the reconstruction of the Roman Temple of Mithras, hosted within the building had also received an award for Best Public Presentation of Archaeology at the British Archaeological Awards.

The Chairman praised the unique building’s incredible design and sustainability. A Member stated that the inside of the building was also spectacular and recommended a Planning & Transportation Committee Members visit to the building. The Chairman supported this suggestion and asked officers to look into arranging a visit for Members, although Members were advised that the building could not accommodate the next Committee dinner.

A Member queried when the underground exit would be opened, and commended the leap of faith taken in using fresh air rather than an Air Conditioning system for temperature control throughout the building. With the upcoming challenges of climate change, if this proved efficient in summer and winter it would provide great evidence and an example for others to follow. The Director of the Built Environment responded that the underground exit would be open in approximately one month and officers would try to get further details from TfL about a possible opening ceremony.

The Committee gave thanks to officers for helping the building come to fruition and congratulated architects Foster & Partners on their success.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

Report of the Director of the Built Environment.

N.B.: The Policies Maps at Appendix 2 (parts A&B) will be available/on display in A3 size at the meeting. Likewise, the Draft Plan itself at Appendix 1 contains various coloured maps and diagrams and so coloured hard copies will also be made available at the meeting.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of the Built Environment seeking agreement for the draft Local Plan, known as City Plan 2036, to be published for public consultation.

The Chairman introduced the item and thanked the Local Plans Sub-Committee for their scrutiny so far. The Plan set out the way forward for the City to enable and service sustainable growth over the coming years. The draft was for Members to agree to publish for consultation before it was brought back to the Committee in Spring 2019.

The Director of the Built Environment introduced the report, and advised Members of larger-scale maps tabled for their reference. A number of typing and cross-referencing errors had already been noted and would be picked up. The Committee was also asked to delegate authority to the Chairman and Deputy Chairman to approve the final draft version to be published for consultation, after Committee Members’ comments had been taken into account.

The document was long but still relatively concise, and conformed generally with national policy and the Mayor of London’s strategic policy approach. The plan complemented the draft Transport Strategy and the two had been prepared in tandem. Land use policies were complemented by transport aims and objectives and it was recommended that the two strategies be read together. A briefing session had been held for Members two weeks previously and a number of changes had been made based on suggestions received. The second draft would be presented next year after considering responses to the consultation, and the document would then be referred to the Planning Inspectorate, before its eventual adoption in 2020.

Two context points were raised for Members. The Plan emphasised the need to plan for sustainable growth in the economy and employment as well as limited housing growth.  Intensification would

Report of the Director of the Built Environment.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of the Built Environment seeking agreement for the draft Transport Strategy to be published for public consultation.

The Director of the Built Environment introduced the item. This was the first long-term Transport Strategy devised by the City and reflected big changes in technology in recent years. The strategy would run alongside the Mayor of London’s strategy which ran for 25 years. The strategy was about enabling and supporting growth, and would be reviewed every five years, with the supporting three-year Delivery Plan updated on an annual basis.

The process had been ongoing for ten months so far, with around 2500 responses to consultation already undertaken. There had been input from a Citizens Panel and a Transport Strategy Board, as well as from the Local Plan and Streets & Walkways Sub-Committees. A track-changed version of the draft strategy that incorporated comments from Members of the Streets & Walkways Sub-Committee was tabled for the Committee’s information.

The strategy contained 10 main outcomes and 54 proposals. The strategy would create more attractive streets with more pedestrian priority, and aimed for lower emissions including a zero-emissions zone. Traffic reduction would help facilitate this and would require a co-ordinated approach. Internal and external partnerships would be key in delivering the strategy, and officers were exploring combined Committee meetings to oversee the delivery. The three-year Delivery Plan (for TfL funded projects) would be brought to the next Committee meeting. The consultation would include a bespoke website, and drop-in sessions and briefing sessions would also be arranged.

The Chairman commended officers for a challenging, radical and ambitious strategy that charted an exciting future, and opened up the discussion to the Committee.

A Member suggested that the strategy should include comparisons with the City’s competitors such as Manhattan and Singapore. The Chairman

Report of the Chief Planning Officer and Development Director.

The Committee considered a report of the Chief Planning Officer and Development Director seeking approval in principle for the acquisition of land for planning purposes to facilitate the redevelopment of the site at the corner of Bishopsgate and Leadenhall Street.

The Comptroller and City Solicitor drew the Committee’s attention to the tabled addendum report which included letters of representations from stakeholders, clarified two points as a result of the representations and gave the Committee an overview of the proposal and recommendation. The Committee was advised that this would not be the final decision and the Town Clerk would have to consider the proposal at a later stage.

RESOLVED - That SUBJECT TO the Town Clerk being satisfied that there is an appropriate Indemnity in place and that it is necessary in order to facilitate the carrying out of the Development (including consideration of whether those entitled to rights of light and other easements and the benefit of restrictive covenants are prepared by agreement (on reasonable terms and within a reasonable period) to permit infringements or breach of the restrictions in time to achieve practical completion by 2022) that the Town Clerk be given delegated authority, in consultation with the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Planning and Transportation Committee, to approve the following:

(i)      Acquisition of an interest in the Redevelopment Site by the City under S227 in order to engage powers under S203 for the planning purpose of facilitating the carrying out of the Development and subsequent disposal of that interest to the Developer (or an associated company) under section 233 of the TCPA; and

(ii)    the terms on which the acquisition and disposal referred to above are to be made.

Report of the Director of the Built Environment.

N.B.: Appendix 1 will follow as a separately circulated, late document.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of the Built Environment setting out the options for the refurbishment of Blackfriars Bridge.

RESOLVED – That the Planning & Transportation Committee agree that as the parapet has been shown to be of sufficient strength, the project proceeds with Option 3, a full refurbishment of Blackfriars Bridge with repair and replacement of the cast iron features as required; working around the current access restrictions.

Report of the Director of the Built Environment.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of the Built Environment setting out the proposed response from the City of London Corporation to the consultation currently being carried out by TfL concerning proposals to make changes to their bus services across London.

The Director of the Built Environment introduced the report. The changes proposed by TfL were supported as they were in line with the Transport Strategy. The aim was for greater utilisation and fewer empty buses across the City. If approved, the changes would come into effect on a rolling basis throughout 2019.

A Member said that a reduction in the number of buses with minimal impact on uses was welcome, and suggested that the changes be co-ordinated according to the time of day. However, tourist buses were a bigger issue that needed to be addressed and the Corporation’s response should include a suggestion that they be banned during peak hours.

A Member welcomed the review and change of direction. There were still problems with buses in the City, such as congestion by buses on Threadneedle Street. A wider look at why there were empty buses in the first place would be valuable, particularly with the implementation of the Transport Strategy.

A Member told the Committee that the frequency and efficiency of buses was good, and they were a useful mode of transport for older people and a whole range of other people. The proposals by TfL did take away some connectivity to the West End and some other areas, and as there was no real mention of how this would be mitigated, the Corporation’s response should ask for this to be addressed.

A Member told the Committee that not all underground stations were step-free, and would not be until 2044, buses remained a useful mode of transport

Report of the Town Clerk.

The Committee received a list of outstanding references.

Ludgate Circus

There were no further updates since the last meeting of the Committee. Another meeting with TfL was scheduled before the end of the year which the Deputy Chairman would attend.

Lane Rental

A report was due to be presented to the December meeting of the Committee.

Blackfriars Bridge Underpass

The Director of the Built Environment advised Members that officers had visited the site with Members from the Ward and Members of the Port Health & Environmental Services Committee to review the work done by TfL. Whilst the subway itself belonged to TfL the Corporation was responsible for cleaning the underpass. The lighting and tiling had been replaced and it had been concluded that the repairs were to an acceptable standard.

A Member responded that there were still intermittent problems, including with the lighting, and this had been raised with officers. There was some work still to do be done and it was asked that the item be kept on the outstanding references list.

Wind Measurement on Tall Buildings

A report was due to be presented to the December meeting of the Committee.

Fumes

A report was due to be presented to the November meeting of the Committee.

A Member said that the issue of policy and enforcement needed to be addressed. A lot of vents were aimed at pedestrians and this was knowingly permitted then it should be stopped, as it was unlikely that there was no alternative.

The Chairman advised that the report would also go to the Port health & Environmental Services Committee. A Member added that kitchen flumes were not sufficiently cleaned, creating bad smells and also creating a fire hazard.

A Member asked why the pedestrian refuges on Gresham Street and Cheapside had been removed so early in preparation for the Lord Mayor’s Show, which was not for another 11 days. The refuges had also previously taken too long to reinstate after the Show, and there should be a shorter window either side. The Director of the Built Environment agreed to respond to the Member directly.

A Member reported an IT issue which had made the papers more difficult to read as there were no bookmarks on the electronic version, and asked that the Town Clerk ensure that the bookmarks were retained where an electronic agenda was split into two parts.

There was no other business.

MOTION – That under Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of the Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

RESOLVED – That under Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

Item No.                                            Exempt Paragraphs

18 – 20                                                           3

21 – 22                                                           -

To agree the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 8 October 2018.

RESOLVED – that the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 8 October 2018 be agreed as a correct record.

To receive the draft non-public minutes of the Local Plans Sub Committee meeting held on 9 October 2018.

The Committee received non-public minutes of the Local Plans Sub-Committee.

Report of the Director of the Built Environment.

N.B. – This will be a late, separately circulated report.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of the Built Environment.

There was one question.

There was no other business.