The report of the Director of Planning, Building Control and Licensing is enclosed.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Planning, Building Control and Licensing regarding an application for full planning permission for the demolition of existing structures and the erection of one residential building to a height of 71 storeys comprising 642 homes (Use Class C3) with food and drink uses (Use Class E) and / or drinking establishment (Sui Generis); and one office building (Use Class E); with basement car parking, cycle parking, landscaping and public realm, servicing and access arrangements, highways alterations and associated works.

There were 18 representations, one in support, 16 objections and 1 representation.

The Planning Officer referenced the two additional objections circulated within the late representations, which also corrected some drafting of the original report. A similar issue had been raised as in the first item regarding the application not being compliant with policy EN2. The Planning Officer noted again that the Committee are aware that the applicant has delivered schemes in this area, and elsewhere, in similar challenging financial circumstances, with Officers of the belief that this highlights that the scheme does comply with policy EN2 and would comply with the development plan when read as a whole.

The applicant’s agent addressed the Committee, noting that this application proposed the tallest residential building across the development. The applicant had engaged in a rigorous design process in consultation with others, which had resulted in some changes from the 2018 masterplan. Changes included reducing the number of tall buildings from two to one, increasing the height of the one building, and introducing a stand-alone 3-storey office building. They noted that the overall impacts of the development were acceptable and identified appropriate mitigation where necessary.

A member queried if a similar condition regarding children’s play spaces, as added to the previous application, would be possible for this scheme. Members also raised concerns regarding the lack of Affordable Housing contained within the proposals and how this would go towards meeting the 10,000 affordable homes target.

The Planning Officer noted that the podium takes up virtually all the ground floor of the site and therefore felt it may not be possible to deliver play facilities as part of the scheme. However, they noted that this application was next door to the previous item where that condition had been added, alongside other developments in the area that are delivering green spaces. The Planning Officer accepted that part of the housing targets included 26,000 new homes at normal market sales, which this application does go towards. At this stage, it did not contribute to the 10,000 affordable homes target but that would be re-assessed at a later point during construction. If this showed Affordable Housing to be viable at that stage, Officer’s would work to achieve the maximum amount of affordable housing possible.

Councillor S. Ali moved the Officer’s recommendations.

Councillor Hughes seconded the proposal.

Decision

The Committee resolved to be minded to approve subject to a legal agreement for a review mechanism for a financial contribution towards off site affordable housing, off-site tree planting and for off-site bio-diversity mitigation.