Agenda and minutes

Introductions

The Town Clerk highlighted that the meeting was being recorded as well as live streamed and would be made available on the City Corporation’s YouTube page for a period of time after the meeting had concluded. It was confirmed that all personal data would be processed in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018. The Town Clerk highlighted that, for further information on this, viewers could contact the City Corporation using the details provided on the public webpages.

The Chairman then advised the Committee that the City Corporation had received notice of the outcome of the Custom House Public Inquiry, which was ruled in the City’s favour. The Chairman commented that this was a positive result for the City which reflected well on its aspirations and ambitions. The Chairman then thanked all officers involved for their hard work on this matter, particularly Jessica Robinson, Ben Eley and Fleur Francis for their contributions to the planning, design and legal aspects respectively.

Apologies for absence were received from Deputy Keith Bottomley, Anthony Fitzpatrick, Deputy John Fletcher, Martha Grekos, Alderman Ian Luder, Deputy Brian Mooney, Deborah Oliver and Alethea Silk.

Deputy Edward Lord and Deputy Randall Anderson each declared an interest in Item 6 by virtue of having previously considered the scheme as members of the former Corporate Asset Sub Committee, and advised that they would withdraw from the meeting for the consideration of this item.

Ian Seaton declared a personal interest in Item 7 by virtue of his membership of the Girdlers’ Company, and advised that he would withdraw from the meeting for the consideration of this item.

To agree the public minutes and non-public summary of the meeting held on 7 June 2022.

A Member commented that they felt additional detail was required in respect of the minute of Item 8, to be clear that the question was specifically about testing different materials and assessing their suitability for use with a view to using permeable materials for the Public Realm footway other than York Stone.

RESOLVED – That, pending the above amendment, that the public minutes and non-public summary of the meeting held on 7 June 2022 be agreed as a correct record.

Report of the Chief Planning Officer and Development Director

The Committee considered a report of the Chief Planning Officer and Development Director in respect of Thavies Inn House, 3-4 Holborn Circus, London EC1N 2HA – specifically, the demolition of the existing building at 1-6 Holborn Circus (known as Thavies Inn House) and the erection of a ten storey Class E building for office use with Class E retail use at part ground floor level with works to include reinstatement and new pedestrian routes through the site; hard and soft landscaping works including removal and replacement trees within the public highway, and creation of pocket park in Thavies Inn; widening of the footway on St Andrew Street; and other works incidental to the proposed development.

The Town Clerk advised that an addendum containing late representations, and the officer’s presentation, had been circulated to Members in advance, before outlining the Committee’s usual procedure for the consideration of planning applications.

The Chief Planning Officer and Development Director then introduced the application to Members and presented the officer’s report, informing the Committee about the details of the scheme and its wider implications and outlining the reasons for the officer’s recommendation. The officer’s recommendation was that the Committee resolve to grant planning permission, in accordance with the details set out in the attached schedule.

Ned Williams, on behalf of Evans Randall Investors, addressed the Committee in support of the recommendations. The Committee heard that the site at Thavies Inn presented an opportunity for regeneration and expansion at the crossroads between the West End and the City of London. Whilst the site had constraints it also had opportunities, and the scheme would look to reuse elements of the current building. However, retention of one or both of the existing London Plane trees had ultimately not been possible while still delivering enough quality, sustainability and flexibility

Report of the Chief Planning Officer and Development Director

The Committee considered a report of the Chief Planning Officer and Development Director in respect of 200 Aldersgate, London EC1A 4HD – specifically, the installation of a new pedestrian access and bridge link to the existing rear courtyard. The Town Clerk advised that an addendum containing late representations and an additional condition, and the officer’s presentation, had been circulated to Members in advance.

The Chief Planning Officer and Development Director then introduced the application to Members and presented the officer’s report, informing the Committee about the details of the scheme and its wider implications and outlining the reasons for the officer’s recommendation. The officer’s recommendation was that the Committee resolve to grant planning permission, in accordance with the details set out in the attached schedule.

The Chairman then invited the Committee to ask questions of officers and debate the application. A Member commented that the most contentious aspect of the scheme appeared to be the increase in footfall, and suggested signage making clear to those using the bridge and courtyard that there were residents in the proximity. The Member added that music would not be allowed, but events involving up to 150 people were likely to create excessive noise. The Chief Planning Officer and Development Director advised that informatives for the management plan could be added on signage, and that there was scope to reduce the permissions on capacity.

In response to a question from the Chairman, the Chief Planning Officer and Development Director confirmed that all statutory consultation had been undertaken and responses represented. There were currently no restrictions on Cross Key Square and no conditions relating to the existing building. Data monitoring with regards to the use of the bridge would form part of the conditions and officers would have access to this data. The Chief Planning Officer

Report of the Town Clerk

The Committee considered a report of the Town Clerk recommending the establishment of a special sub-committee to determine an application in respect of The Turret, John Wesley Highwalk, Barbican. The Comptroller and City Solicitor introduced the report and drew Members’ attention to the key points, also advising that it had been concluded that the Barbican Residential Committee and former Projects Sub Committee should not be named as having been involved in promoting the proposal. The Comptroller and City Solicitor therefore proposed that the report be amended to remove references to these committees within the recommendations, report and appended Handling Note. The Committee then moved to agree the recommendations, as amended, and these were agreed.

RESOLVED – That the Planning & Transportation Committee:

1. Adopt the Handling Note in the Appendix to this Report, as amended;

2. Establish a Special Sub-committee with the following Terms of Reference: to determine planning application reference: 20/00271/FULL and associated Listed Building Consent application 20/00272/LBC;

3. That the Special Sub-committee sits following the rising of the Planning and Transportation on a date to be determined; and

4. That the Special Sub-committee be constituted of all Members of Planning and Transportation Committee other than those who were past members of the Corporate Asset Sub (Finance) Committee whilst that committees was responsible for bringing forward the planning application/proposal.

Report of the Executive Director, Environment

The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director of Environment requesting authority to grant a license for hoarding between 2 July 2022 - August 2025, which would restrict access to the Bassishaw Highwalk City Walkway over London Wall to enable the redevelopment of City Tower and City Place House which was granted planning permission on 29^th September 2021 (21/00116/FULMAJ), and to allow officers to enter into a Bridge Agreement to authorise the construction of the new city walkway bridge over Basinghall Street. The Town Clerk advised that the officer’s presentation had been circulated to Members in advance.

The Chief Planning Officer and Development Director then introduced the application to Members and presented the officer’s report, informing the Committee about the details of the proposal and its wider implications, and outlining the reasons for the officer’s recommendation. The officer’s recommendation was that the Committee resolve to authorise officers to grant a license for hoarding.

In response to a question from a Member, the Executive Director of Environment advised that officers were working closely with the applicant’s team and would make sure the scheme stayed on track in order to reopen by the proposed date. The Executive Director of Environment added that any extension of the closure would need to be brought back to the Committee.

RESOLVED – That the Planning & Transportation Committee:

i)     Authorises Officers to grant a license for hoarding for a period of three years (2 July 2022 - 31 August 2025) to obstruct access to Bassishaw Highwalk City Walkway over London Wall; and

ii)    That Officers be instructed to negotiate and authorised to enter into a Bridge Agreement with the developers to authorise the construction of the new city walkway bridge.

Report of the Executive Director of Environment

The item was withdrawn.

In response to a question from a Member, the Chairman advised that a broader report on requirements in respect of study trips would be brought back to the Committee at a later stage.

To note the public minutes and non-public summary of the Streets & Walkways Sub Committee meeting on 3 May 2022 and the draft minutes and non-public summary of the Streets & Walkways Sub Committee meeting on 31 May 2022.

RESOLVED – That the public minutes and non-public summary of the Streets & Walkways Sub Committee meeting on 3 May 2022 and the draft minutes and non-public summary of the Streets & Walkways Sub Committee meeting on 31 May 2022 be noted.

Report of the City Surveyor

The Committee received a public lift report of the City Surveyor for the period 23/05/2022 – 15/06/2022. In response to a question from a Member, the City Surveyor advised that works were progressing on the London Wall escalators, and that officers were still in dialogue with their owners. The Chairman asked that target dates for completion of the work and reopening of the escalators be provided ahead of the next meeting.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

Report of the Executive Director, Environment

The Committee received a report of the Executive Director of Environment providing an update on progress made during Quarter 4 of 2021/22 against the Department of the Built Environment’s 2021/22 High-Level Business Plan, by the services which fall within the remit of the Committee. The Executive Director of Environment introduced the report and drew Members’ attention to the key points.

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 development applications received by the Department of the Built Environment since the report to 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 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 Town Clerk

The Committee received a report of the Town Clerk setting out its list of Outstanding Actions and noted the updates provided.

RESOLVED – That the list of outstanding actions be noted.

A Member asked, going forward, how procedurally difficult or resource-intensive it would be to re-do a statutory consultation if the scheme had not been progressed after a year or more. The Chief Planning Officer and Development Director advised that it would be possible to do so, although officers were also wary of the risks of consultation fatigue, particularly where the proposals in question had not changed from that previously consulted on. The Chief Planning Officer and Development Director acknowledged that the application in respect of 200 Aldersgate was an unusual case. The Deputy Chair added that all Members of the Court of Common Council were appraised of applications relevant to their ward and to some extent Ward Members were responsible for keeping their constituents updated.

A Member then requested that the Committee revert to having a distinct section for questions of officers within the procedure for considering applications, as they did not want to anticipate answers to questions asked during the debate. The Chairman responded that there had previously been issues with this previously caused by Members making statements that should have reserved for the debate during this period, creating a degree of conflation. The Chairman added however that he was always willing to review Committee process and would take this into consideration for the next meeting.

With regards to meeting arrangements, a Member noted that the Chairman had sought the Committee’s views on meeting arrangements via email. The Member voiced their strong opposition to any kind of limit on Member contributions, and asked when a public consultation on the Committee’s governance arrangements would be undertaken, as well as seeking clarification on the threshold for objections before submitting an application to Committee. The Member then thanked officers for their response in respect of the Bury House application.

The Town Clerk

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 the Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

Item                 Paragraph

18-19                           3

20-21                           -

To agree the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 7 June 2022.

RESOLVED – That the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 7 June 2022 be agreed as a correct record.

To note the non-public minutes of the Streets & Walkways Sub Committee meeting on 3 May 2022 and the draft non-public minutes of the Streets & Walkways Sub Committee meeting on 31 May 2022.

RESOLVED – That the non-public minutes of the Streets & Walkways Sub Committee meeting on 3 May 2022 and the draft non-public minutes of the Streets & Walkways Sub Committee meeting on 31 May 2022 be noted.

There were no questions.

There was one item of other business.