Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Anthony Fitzpatrick, Dawn Frampton, Ian Bishop-Laggett, Jaspreet Hodgson, Deputy Edward Lord, Deputy Alastair Moss, Alderwoman Jennette Newman and Alderwoman Susan Pearson.

In relation to Agenda Item 6 – Proposed Barbican and Golden Lane Neighbourhood Forum and Area, Mary Durcan and Deputy Randall Anderson stated they lived in the Barbican and Alderman Sir David Wootton stated he owned an apartment in the Barbican and Golden Lane proposed area. They had taken advice from Officers who had confirmed they could take part in the consideration of this item.

In relation to Agenda Item 8 – Creechurch Conservation Area Proposal, Deputy Fredericks stated that she had been appointed as Governor of Aldgate School.

To agree the public minutes and summary of the meetings held on 11 May 2023 and 21 June 2023.

RESOLVED – That the public minutes of the previous meetings held on 11 May 2023 and 21 June 2023, be approved as an accurate record.

MATTERS ARISING

The Clerk stated that in relation to the 11 May 2023 minutes – Appointments to the Crime and Disorder Scrutiny Committee, the Deputy Chairman of the Planning and Transportation Committee had since been advised that he did not have a conflict of interest and would therefore be taking up his position on the Committee.

(a)      To consider the following Resolution from the Ward of Aldersgate – 14 March 2023.

“The Aldersgate Wardmote deplores the dangerous use of pavements and walkways by bicycles and scooters and electric versions thereof and urges the Grand Court of Wardmote to take action to prevent such abuse of the pavements and walkways”

(b)      To consider the following Resolutions from the Ward of Candlewick – 20 March 2023.

(i)       “The Ward of Candlewick commented that they were keen to continue working closely and collaboratively with officers at the City Corporation to get the maximum impact for the Ward of Candlewick from a public realm perspective, and to develop and deliver a plan that would work well long term and provide accessible and user-friendly streets across the City.”

(ii)       “With regard to progress of the building development on Abchurch Lane, the Ward of Candlewick asked that this matter be raised with the City Corporation’s officers and an update provided in a future Candlewick Ward Newsletter. In the event that the project was unlikely to be completed in the near future, scope to have the hoardings updated would also be explored with officers from the Planning and Transportation Department.”

(a)        To consider the following resolution from the Ward of Aldersgate – 14 March 2023:

“The Aldersgate Wardmote deplores the dangerous use of pavements and walkways by bicycles and scooters and electric versions thereof and urges the Grand Court of Wardmote to take action to prevent such abuse of the pavements and walkways”

An Officer stated that this related to enforcement and activities to tackle the unsafe and illegal riding of cycles and e-scooters on the pavement. The Officer stated that enforcement was a policing matter, but Officers were working closely with the police, including through regular meetings of the Road Danger Reduction Partnership. In addition, the Vision Zero Plan was due to be considered by the Committee in October 2023 and would contain details of work with the police around safer behaviours. Enforcement figures were also contained in the Annual Report on the Transport Strategy included in the information pack.

Members discussed sharing the resolution with the Police Authority Board and the Chairman requested that an Officer take ownership of the matter to ensure action was taken. An Officer confirmed this would be the case and stated that the Vision Zero Plan would be submitted to both the Planning and Transportation Committee and the Police Authority Board and had been developed jointly with the Police.

A Member raised the issue of dockless cycles, in particular Lime bikes, being left in non-designated parking areas. An Officer stated that the progress made with Lime and Human Forest had been considered by the Streets and Walkways Sub-Committee recently. Both operators fined those who left bikes in non-designated areas and issued bans for repeated offences. The Officer stated that the reports considered by the Streets and Walkways Sub-Committee could be shared with Members. He stated that Officers worked closely with operators to address

Report of the Town Clerk.

The Committee received a report of the Town Clerk setting out the list of Outstanding Actions.

The Chairman stated that there would be a report back and Planning Advice Note by the end of the year in relation to Item 1 Daylight/Sunlight Guidance and therefore this was no longer an outstanding item.

A Member informed the Committee that the Historic England website contained a number of Planning Advice Notes and suggested inviting a representative from Historic England to conduct a Member training session.

An Officer reminded Members of the visit to 8 Bishopsgate on 19 July and encouraged Members to attend. He also stated that in the autumn, there would be a timetable of visits to completed developments including a presentation on site by Mola of the archaeological excavations of the churchyard of All Hallows Staining as part of the 50 Fenchurch Street development where archaeology was currently being unearthed.

A Member requested that, if possible, the proposed Historic England training session and visits be arranged outside of working hours e.g. after 5pm so more Members could attend.

RESOLVED – That Members:-

1.         note the report;

2.         request Officers remove Item 1 – Daylight/Sunlight Guidance from future Outstanding Actions reports; and

3.         request Officers to invite a representative from Historic England to provide a training session for Members.

Report of the Planning and Development Director.

The Committee considered a report of the Planning and Development Director which set out the proposal for a Barbican and Golden Lane Neighbourhood Forum and Area.

Members were informed that an application had been submitted by a group of residents living in the Barbican and Golden Lane Estates, proposing a neighbourhood area and forum. If designated, this would be the first neighbourhood forum and area within the City.

An Officer outlined the statutory framework contained within the report and informed Members that Local Authorities had 13 weeks to determine an application after it being publicised. The date for this application was 8 August 2023.

Members were informed that for a valid application, the proposed forum must have met the four requirements in legislation. Their purpose must be for promoting or improving the social, economic and environmental well-being of an area. Membership would include people who lived or worked in an area and elected Members. It must have a written constitution. The proposed area covered the Barbican and Golden Lane estates and neighbouring areas and the area covered a wide range of uses including, residential, business, cultural and green spaces. Submission of an area application must include a map which identified the area and a statement that the organisation was a relevant body. The application had to provide justification for the boundaries and detail the cohesion of the proposed area including how the community groups operated together, common physical features which defined a natural boundary, the natural setting and the relationship to existing planning policies. The Officer stated that the majority of comments through consultation were in full support of the area and 78% of people agreed with the proposed area unaltered. The key reasons of support for the area were that it focused on an area with important issues to

Report of the Executive Director, Environment.

The Committee received a report of the Executive Director, Environment concerning the proposal to exclude from the city walkway the area needed for the relocation of the TfL control cabinet which was being displaced so that Thames Tideway works could be appropriately accommodated.

RESOLVED – That Members:-

1.         vary the resolution of the Court of Common Council made on 28 May 1998 by making a resolution in the form appended to the officer report as Appendix 3A and 3B; and

2.         delegate to the City Operations Director (City Streets and Spaces) authority to insert into the resolution an appropriate date for the coming into force of the variation.

Report of the Executive Director, Environment.

The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director, Environment concerning a proposed draft conservation area boundary and supporting conservation area proposal.

Members were informed that the proposal area had been drawn up following detailed characterisation work that had taken place as part of the evidence base underpinning the emerging Local Plan and via a specific request from representatives of the Bevis Marks Synagogue.

Members were shown a map of the proposed area which was bound broadly by Bevis Marks, Dukes Place and St Botolph’s in the North, Bury Street and Creechurch Lane in the West and Leadenhall and Aldgate High Street in the east.

The Officer stated that the proposed area differed in spatial scope from that proposed by the Synagogue’s representatives for the reasons set out in the conservation area proposal report which was appended to the Officer report. Members were shown photographs of the area. The Officer stated that the area comprised a diverse townscape of buildings from the 18^th, 19^th and 20^th centuries. There were 19^th century warehouses which comprised the core of the conservation area, some of which had been converted to residential with commercial properties at ground floor and some of which were Grade 2 listed. There were three principle places of worship in the area including the Bevis Mark’s Synagogue, the Guild Church of St Katharine Cree, and St Botolph’s Church, all of which were listed Grade 2.

It was proposed that public consultation be carried out on the proposals for a new ‘Creechurch Conservation Area’ over late Summer and early Autumn 2023, with the aim of reporting the results back to the Committee before the end of the calendar year. The consultation was proposed to be held for eight weeks and would be carried out in

Report of the Executive Director, Environment.

The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director, Environment concerning the Utility Infrastructure Strategy.

The Officer stated that the draft strategy sought to highlight and drive collaboration, partnership and promotion between the City and the utility sector. The Corporation was responsible for the 5G and Wi-Fi network infrastructure which was being rolled out. It was also responsible for managing the Considerate Contractor Street Work scheme and the pipe subway network. Ground radar surveys would be undertaken to establish where underground constraints lay. The Committee was informed that the City Surveyor had a significant connection with Citygen and the way in which heating and cooling was provided to a significant number of buildings in the City.

The Officer also stated that the Corporation had indirect involvement in working with utility sector to improve their services e.g., in relation to the provision of Superfast Broadband and by providing a test bed for innovation in the utility sector. The Corporation also worked with utilities to ensure there was capacity to meet future demand for tall buildings and growth. Members were informed that the policy context included the Local Area Energy Plan, the Transport Strategy and the Open Energy Networks. There was a need to ensure that the utility provision was fit for purpose and that capacity was created for the future in a green and sustainable way.

A Member commented that as part of the 5G infrastructure rollout, operators were being persuaded to share kit and this had increased the speed of the rollout as well as removed some of the street clutter.

A Member suggested that a further session on the topics covered by the strategy. The Chairman stated that this could take place post-consultation.

Officers were thanked for their work on the Strategy.

RESOLVED – That Members approve a public

Report of the Director of Planning and Development.

The Committee received a report of the Director Planning and Development Director concerning a new Lighting Supplementary Planning Document (SPD), which provided guidance for developers on lighting buildings and the spaces between them and would help developers meet the requirements of the Development Plan policies which related to lighting.

The Officer stated that the Lighting SPD was understood to be the first of its kind in the UK. It provided guidance and technical requirements for new development. It covered design, delivery, operation and maintenance of artificial light within the City. The SPD also included the Considerate Lighting Charter which existing buildings would be encouraged to sign up to. The SPD had been prepared by a lighting consultant with input from Officers across the Corporation.

The Officer stated that in November 2022, the Committee approved a public consultation exercise for the Lighting SPD which ran from December 2022 to February 2023. The consultation was widely publicised in the press. A comprehensive engagement strategy was undertaken for the public consultation and included residents, workers, consultants and other relevant stakeholders. There were three events including a lighting walking tour around key parts of the City. Following consultation, a further workshop took place with lighting industry professionals. A wide range of responses were received to the consultation and the main issues and responses were summarised in Appendix 2 to the report.

Members were informed that the resident groups consulted included the Barbican Association, Brandon Mews House Group, Gilbert House Group Tenants Association and the Willoughby House Group. In addition, a significant number of technical consultants, lighting designers and businesses responded to the consultation. The responses were broadly supportive and the main issues were around the impact of residential amenity, technical requirements, the assessment of impacts, implementation of the SPD, the Charter and the impacts

Report of the Director of Planning and Development.

The Committee received a report of the Director Planning and Development Director concerning the way in which biodiversity and ecology was addressed in national, London and City planning policies.

In response to questions from Members, an Officer stated that Open Spaces was consulted as part of the Podium application and the biodiversity and ecology submission was from a leading consultant. Judgement was used when considering when third-party review was required and it would depend on the nature of the impacts, there were experienced diversity and ecology experts in the Natural Environment department. Although consultation had been more informal in the past, this was now being formalised as a more structured way of consulting the pool of expertise on future applications, especially those with very significant biodiversity and ecology impacts. The Officer stated that the ecological assessment submitted as part of the Podium scheme was a comprehensive and rigorous piece of work in line with government guidance.

A Member asked for clarification on the pathways in the formalisation, when this process would be in place and whether City Gardens were consulted. An Officer stated that City Gardens now came under City Operations and the team had a close working relationship with the Planning team. The contents of the report aligned well with the Biodiversity Action Plan that City Gardens had promoted and agreed through the Natural Environment Board. Officers would confirm the formalisation process.

A Member commented that the report did not reference marine biodiversity and ecology. The Member informed the Committee of a scheme developed by an organisation called Thames Estuary Partnership to utilise the river side to improve marine growth.

RESOLVED – That Members:-

1.         note the policy approach for biodiversity and ecology and how this was implemented in the City Corporation; and

2.         note the charging legitimate landscape

Report of the Executive Director, Environment.

The Committee received a report of the Executive Director, Environment providing an update on progress made during period Three (December – March) 2022/23 against the High-Level Business Plan 2022/23 for the service areas of the Environment Department which fell within the remit of the Committee.

RESOLVED – To note the report.

Report of the Executive Director, Environment.

The Committee received a report of the Executive Director, Environment concerning the key risks managed by the service areas of the Environment Department which fell within the remit of the Committee.

RESOLVED - That Membersnote the report and the actions being taken by the Environment Department to monitor, mitigate and effectively manage risks arising from their operations.

Report of the Planning and Development Director.

The Committee received a report of the Director Planning and Development Director responding to a request from Members for information on the CAAC and the CoLAG which was requested at the meeting of the Committee on 11 May 2023. The report outlined the role, function, and membership of the two groups, referencing their terms of reference and constitutions.

RESOLVED – To note the report.

Report of the Executive Director, Environment.

The Committee received a report of the Executive Director, Environment concerning the work of the District Surveyor’s office.

RESOLVED – To note the report.

Report of the Chamberlain, the Executive Director, Environment and the City Surveyor.

The Committee considered a report of the Chamberlain, the Executive Director, Environment and the City Surveyor comparing the revenue outturn for the services overseen by the Committee in 2022/23 with the final budget for the year.

RESOLVED – That Members note the report and the carry forward of local risk underspending to 2023/24.

Report of the Director of Planning and Development.

The Committee received a report of the Planning and Development Director setting out the total income and expenditure for 2022/23.

RESOLVED – To note the report.

Report of the City Surveyor.

The Committee received a report of City Surveyor outlining the availability and performance of publicly accessible lifts and escalators monitored and maintained by City Surveyors, in the reporting period 23 April 2023 to 30 July 2023.

RESOLVED – To note the report.

Report of the Executive Director, Environment.

The Committee received a report of the Executive Director, Environment providing information about planning stage whole life cycle carbon emissions calculated for development proposals by applicant teams.

A Member queried the breakdown in the report in operational carbon emissions. An Officer stated that the data that had been monitored was planning application stage data so was likely to change. The carbon emission savings achieved were much higher than the GLA target.

A Member asked when the Committee could expect to receive the Embodied Carbon Action Plan. An Officer stated that this was a commitment in the current financial year. This would take into account a whole host of issues around work that was taking place in the planning system. Much consideration had been given to a retrofit first policy in the new City Plan which would be a significant step towards dealing with embodied carbon and also how the Corporation could influence government to try and ensue that embodied carbon was being given importance. Members were informed that the climate action strategy dashboards were published online. The climate action strategy points targets were being met. Some of the embodied emissions were operational emissions. There was complexity in working out the best way of publicising and collating the embodied data in applications. This data was published on the website but the mechanism for including this in the climate action strategy and the dashboard was still a work in progress.

A Member asked if consideration was being given to the scope for schemes the City had permitted and whether this could be incorporated into the tracker.

RESOLVED –  That Members:-

1.         note the report; and

2.         agree that this item be added to the Outstanding Items list.

Report of the Executive Director, Environment.

The Committee received a report of the Executive Director, Environment concerning the Annual Report which detailed progress with delivering the Transport Strategy in 2022/23 and the Delivery Plan for 2023/24 – 2028/29.

RESOLVED – To note the report.

See Minutes 22 and 23.

The Committee received the minutes of the Planning Applications Sub-Committee meeting on 21 February 2023.

RECEIVED.

The Committee received the minutes of the Planning Applications Sub-Committee meeting on 20 March 2023.

RECEIVED.

RESOLVED – That Members:-

1.         note the draft minutes of the Planning Applications Sub-Committee meeting on 27 June 2023; and

2.         agree the resolution of the Planning Applications Sub-Committee meeting on 27 June 2023 that the Planning and Transportation Committee be requested to instruct the Streets and Walkways Sub-Committee to have an oversight role in the project, particularly with regard to wayfinding, signage and marketing.

See Minutes 25, 26 and 27.

The Committee received the minutes of the Local Plans Sub-Committee meeting on 27 April 2023.

RECEIVED.

The Committee received the minutes of the Local Plans Sub-Committee meeting on 23 May 2023.

RECEIVED.

The Committee received the draft public minutes and non-public summary of the Local Plans Sub-Committee meeting on 20 June 2023.

RECEIVED.

The Committee received the minutes of the Streets and Walkways Sub-Committee meeting on 23 May 2023.

RECEIVED.

The Committee received the draft minutes of the Streets and Walkways Sub-Committee meeting on 4 July 2023.

RECEIVED.

A Member asked for an update on the letter being sent to TfL to ask for the new entrances at Bank Station to be open and available for use. An Officer stated that engagement had occurred at an Officer level. Officers were in the process of drafting a letter from the Planning and Transportation Committee to the TfL Commissioner.

A Member commented that the Local Plans Sub-Committee meeting on 25 July had been cancelled and there were no other scheduled meetings. She requested that the calendar be updated once any further meetings were scheduled.

In response to a Member’s question about consultation, an Officer stated that it was vital to engage widely and give appropriate notice of consultations. An event had been rescheduled to get more involvement from the community. Officers would welcome more feedback on how consultation could be improved. Work was taking place to see if information could be packaged to be sent via Whatsapp and email. The Planning Department was working across the Corporation with other departments to ensure there were continual improvements on notification and consultation methods.

The Chairman updated the Committee as follows:

1. Awards

a) The City’s Planning Team was the Winner of the Planning Authority of the Year category at the RTPI London Awards for Planning Excellence.

The Awards judges commented that the City’s small Planning team were disproportionally pivotal in delivering the challenging floorspace growth required to maintain the City of London’s position as the world’s business centre, the engine of London’s and the UK’s economy, through exceptionally challenging economic times. The Planning team delivered an unprecedented million sqm of floorspace in 2021 including 6 new towers, all with substantial wider, inclusive public benefits. These schemes and ground-breaking initiatives were transforming the City as a 7-day destination, culturally resurgent, providing a resilient economic base to flourish as an inclusive, gentler, welcoming City for all communities, crucially, benefitting all in the UK.

b) The City was the Winner of Best Borough led Project at the Building London Planning Awards for our initiative :  Putting the public on top: A view for All?—?Elevated Public Realm in the City of London

The Awards judges commented that the City of London Corporation had consented 13 free to visit elevated public roof gardens, terraces and viewing galleries in major developments since 2018 borne out of radical new polices to deliver elevated views to all, delivering an inclusive, welcoming City.

c) Pearl Figueira was the winner of Young Planner of the Year at the RTPI London Awards for Planning Excellence

The Awards judges commented that Pearl was an enthusiastic and dedicated planner, working across the development management and policy teams in the City of London. Her most outstanding achievement to date had been leading on the production of the draft City of London Lighting SPD. Working with industry experts she had produced clear, legible technical guidance for

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)

                 33                                                                           3,5 and 7

                 34                                                                           3

Report of the Executive Director, Environment.

The Committee received a report of the Chamberlain.

The Committee received the draft non-public minutes of the Local Plans Sub-Committee meeting on 20 June 2023.

RECEIVED.

There were two non-public questions.

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