Agenda and minutes

The Chairman opened the meeting by welcoming the new Member for Cordwainer – Amy Horscroft to her first meeting of the Planning and Transportation Committee. He also confirmed that Ms Horscroft had undertaken the necessary training required in order to consider planning applications. He also welcomed Susan Pearson back to the Committee in her new capacity as Alderwoman for the ward of Cripplegate who would be filling this place until such time as a by-election was held in the Ward.

Apologies for absence were received from Alderman and Sheriff King, Alastair King, Alderman Bronek Masojada and Judith Pleasance.

To agree the public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 11 October 2022.

The Committee considered the public minutes of the meeting held on 11 October 2022 and approved them as a correct record.

MATTERS ARISING

Apologies for absence (page 7) – A Member stated that, on occasion, Members had to recuse themselves from meetings of this Committee owing to personal or professional conflicts of interest and in order to avoid any instances of perceived bias. She queried whether, in these instances, the reasons given for apologies could also be recorded in future minutes for full transparency.

The Chairman stated that he felt that this would be a useful addition and asked that the Town Clerk action this going forward.

Outstanding Actions (page 16) – A Member requested whether this could continue to feature in the main agenda pack for all future meetings of the grand Committee to ensure that it remained up to date and was given appropriate focus.  

Completion of the Riverside Walkway (page 16) – A Member stated that he had received an update on the project but was still yet to receive confirmation of a completion date. Officers reported that there were ongoing issues with one of the subcontractors that they were still attempting to resolve. As soon as there was progress on this, a further update and details of a completion date would be provided to Members.

Building of the Year – 22 Bishopsgate (page 17) – A Member stated that she had noticed that all of the trees outside of this building had been completely cut down and questioned why this was the case and whether there were plans to reinstate these in due course. The Planning and Development Director reported that Officers had meetings scheduled to discuss this matter and would provide an update to the Committee at their next meeting.

Report of the Planning & Development Director.

The Committee considered a report of the Planning and Development Director concerning Cripplegate House, 1 Golden Lane, London EC1Y 0RR -  specifically alteration and extension of the existing office building (Class Eg(i)) incorporating a local community/cultural space (Class Eg(i)/F2) at ground floor; to include additional floorspace through upward and infill extensions (+2485sq.m GIA uplift); altered and additional entrances; creation of office amenity terraces and plant enclosures; facade alterations including urban greening; new landscaping; and associated works.

Officers presented the application, highlighting that prior to this meeting, Members would have received a report, a presentation pack and addendum reports with updates in relation to stopping up, sustainability and conditions alongside five late representations. It was highlighted that the application site was situated to the north of the City and bound by Golden Lane to the east, Brackley Street to the north, Viscount Street to the west and Cripplegate Street to the south. It was reported that the applicant was proposing the refurbishment of the existing building by retaining as much as the existing structure as possible. The proposal sought to re-clad the south, west and northern elevations and provide four additional storeys which would result in a circa 2,400 square meter uplift in office floorspace and an estimated 32% increase in capacity and occupancy.

Officers shared visuals of the existing building/site noting that it was Grade II listed but sat outside of a conservation area and was situated just outside of the Barbican and Golden Lane Conservation Areas. It was highlighted that the Cripplegate Institute had been built in the late 19^th century as a philanthropic venture for the Cripplegate Ward. The historic façade to the east of the building had been stretched in the early 20^th century with two additional floors added. The site had also been substantially

Report of the Planning & Development Director.

The Committee considered a report of the Planning and Development Director relative to Cripplegate House 1 Golden Lane London EC1Y 0RR – specifically the alteration and extension of the existing office building(Class Eg(i)) incorporating a local community/cultural

space (Class Eg(i)/F2) at ground floor; to include additional floorspace through upward and infill extensions (+2485sqm GIA uplift); altered and additional entrances; creation of office amenity terraces and plant enclosures; facade alterations including urban greening; new

landscaping; and associated works.

RESOLVED –

(1) That Listed Building Consent is granted for the above proposal in accordance with the details set out in the attached schedule, subject to:

a)     Planning obligations and other agreements being entered into under Section 106 of the Town & Country Planning Act 1990 and Section 278 of the Highways Act 1980 in respect of those matters set out in the report, the decision notice not be issued until the Section 106 obligations have been executed.

(2) That your Officers be instructed to negotiate and execute obligations in respect of those matters set out in 'Planning Obligations' under Section 106 and any necessary agreements under Section 278 of the Highways Act 1980.

Report of the Planning & Development Director.

The Committee considered a report of the Planning and Development Director regarding an updated Local Development Scheme (LDS) setting out an updated programme for the later stages of the City Plan review, along with other planning policy documents.

RESOLVED – That Members:

• Approve the updated Local Development Scheme for publication; and

• Resolve that the updated Local Development Scheme is to have effect from 1 November 2022.

Joint report of the Town Clerk, the Executive Director, Environment  and the Comptroller and City Solicitor.

The Committee considered a joint report of the Town Clerk, the Executive Director of Environment and the Comptroller and City Solicitor.

The Comptroller and City Solicitor introduced the report stating that this flowed from the decision of the Court to establish a Planning Applications Sub-Committee and updated the Planning Protocol appropriately to reflect this. It was also suggested that the delegation of planning applications to the new Sub-Committee should include advertisement consent. Members were reminded that a separate, track changes version of the amended Protocol had been circulated to all before the meeting for ease of reference.

RESOLVED – That the Planning and Transportation Committee:

1.     delegate to Planning Applications Sub-committee determination of applications for advertisement consent (where the determination is outside authority delegated to officers);

2.     adopt the amended Planning Protocol in Appendix 1

Report of the Executive Director, Environment.

The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director, Environment presenting a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) that provided guidance for developers on lighting buildings and the spaces between them.

Officers introduced the report by stating that it presented a draft lighting SPD and requested that the Committee approve this for public consultation. Members were reminded that, in October 2018, the Court of Common Council had resolved to adopt the Corporation’s Lighting Strategy which sought to provide a holistic approach to lighting, including improving the quality, efficiency and sustainability of lighting in the City. The Strategy included a commitment to publish detailed planning guidance as to the use of lighting to support and enhance the implementation of planning policy. This SPD had therefore been prepared to meet this objective. The document provided guidance and technical requirements for new development that developers should comply with and covered design, delivery, operation and maintenance of artificial light within the City. It was reported that the document had been prepared with lighting consultants Speirs Major Light Architect and input from officers across the Corporation. The Port Health and Environmental Services Committee had also been presented with the document last month for information. It was underlined that a number of helpful suggestions had also been made by Members and that these had also been taken into account where possible  

Members were informed that the document covered guidance for the planning process – everything from pre-application stage to post permission. Technical guidance was also included alongside more general lighting guidance. Finally, appended to the document was the Considerate Lighting Charter for existing building owners, operators and occupiers to adopt. This Charter was understood to be the first of its kind in the UK in terms of a voluntary commitment for lighting and it as intended that this

Report of the Executive Director, Environment.

The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director, Environment relative to Pan-London rental e-scooter trial extension.

Officers stated that, at the time of writing this report, they had been awaiting TfL’s decision as to whether or not the trial would be extended by a further 18 months in line with the Department for Transport extension recently announced. This had now been confirmed and the City’s approval for continued participation in this extended trial was now also sought. Furthermore, Members were asked to note that the report and associated decisions contained within the report solely related to the City of London’s rental e-scooter trial however, Officers stated that they were aware of issues with dockless cycles being left outside of designated parking areas and were working with operators to address this. This particular matter was to be discussed further at next week’s Streets and Walkways Sub-Committee meeting with a report on the future management of dockless bikes to be brought back to them in January 2023.

RESOLVED – That the Planning and Transportation Committee (subject to TfL’s formal extension of the pan-London rental e-scooter trial and agreement of the terms of the extension by the City Operations Division Director):

1.     Approve the City of London Corporation’s participation in the extension of the pan-London rental e-scooter trial until 31st May 2024.

2.     Agree to make the necessary traffic orders (parking for rental e-scooters, cycle hire pedal cycles and pedal cycles, amendments to various traffic orders to permit rental e-scooters to use the public highway in the same manner as by pedal cycles) so as to continue the provisions of the current ETOs indefinitely.

Report of the Planning & Development Director.

The Committee received a report of the Planning and Development Director relative to the City Plan engagement strategy.

RESOLVED – That Members note the contents of the City Plan engagement strategy.

To note the draft public minutes and non-public summary of the Streets & Walkways Sub Committee meeting on 6 September 2022.

The Committee received the draft public minutes and non-public summary of the Streets & Walkways Sub Committee meeting on 6 September 2022.

RECEIVED.

To note the draft public minutes of the Local Plans Sub Committee meeting on 21 September 2022.

The Committee received the draft public minutes of the Local Plans Sub Committee meeting on 21 September 2022.

RECEIVED.

Report of the City Surveyor.

The Committee received a report of the City Surveyor outlining the availability and performance of publicly accessible lifts and escalators monitored and maintained by City Surveyor’s, in the reporting period 25 September 2022 to 14 October 2022.

RECEIVED.

Report of the Planning & 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 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.

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.

RECEIVED.

Thames Tideway Tunnel

A Member commented that he was keen for Members to be more involved in this work given that it was the first major area of public realm that was to be created on the riverside. He noted that much of the work around designing the public realm element had been undertaken before the pandemic and a refocusing on the benefits of outdoor exercise. The Chairman suggested that a meeting be set up between him, Officers and Thames Tideway to explore the art of the possible here. Another commented that this was all under the Development Consent Order Scheme where the City had no mandate unless anything had been conditioned to suggest otherwise. Officers confirmed that this was correct although underlined that Thames Tideway were very open to negotiating and discussing the art of the possible.

Consolidated deliveries

A Member commented that, a number of years ago, this Committee had set about a policy of consolidation and specifically ensuring that schemes granted included consolidated deliveries. She questioned whether it might now be possible to have a report back to Committee so that they were able to track the progress of this and its effectiveness. She also questioned how many of the schemes granted since 2012 with this in mind had now been developed such as 22 Bishopsgate. Officers confirmed that they had had meetings with 22 Bishopsgate to understand their experience over the last two years. What tended to happen was that the non-consolidated delivery element of the consolidation did not seem to be supporting the food and beverage sides of these developments. Current discussions were therefore centered around refining the 106 provisions to ensure that they were adequately serviced. Officers undertook to bring a more detailed report back on this but underlined that 22 Bishopsgate was the

Alderwoman Susan Pearson – Membership of Sub-Committees

The Town Clerk, noting that Alderwoman Person had retained her place on the Committee, representing the Ward of Cripplegate, stated that the Committee were now also asked to consider whether her continued membership of both the Streets and Walkways and Local Plans Sub-Committee were appropriate. The Committee were reminded that membership of both bodies had been expanded at the start of this civic year to ensure that all those interested in participating on those bodies were able to do so.

RESOLVED – That the Committee support Alderwoman Susan Pearson’s continued membership of both the Streets and Walkways and Local Plans Sub-Committee.

Opportunity London Campaign

With the permission of the Chairman, the Committee considered a late, separately circulated report of the Director of Environment and the City Surveyor seeking agreement to continue the City Corporations sponsorship of the Opportunity London campaign and setting out what it has delivered to date, the costs of continued sponsorship and outlining an umbrella programme of key property related events for 2023 that the City Corporation could seek to attend in conjunction with Opportunity London, together with associated costs.

Officers apologise for the timing of this report but clarified that they had only learned last week what action needed to be taken to permit the City’s attendance at MIPIM and the costs associated with this. It was underlined that appropriate accommodation could only be secured once a decision had been taken as to the City’s presence at the event. The report set out an annual programme of engagement to promote the City to domestic and international property investors which was parallel and interlinked to the promotion undertaken on the City as a world-class financial and business services centre. This would be delivered in collaboration with Opportunity London – a

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 Nos                                                         Paragraph No(s)

                 20                                                                           3

              21-22                                                                         -

To note the draft non-public minutes of the Streets & Walkways Sub Committee meeting on 6 September 2022.

The Committee received the draft non-public minutes of the Streets & Walkways Sub Committee meeting on 6 September 2022.

There were no questions raised in the non-public session.

There were no additional, urgent items of business for consideration in the non-public session.