Agenda and minutes

To note any changes to the membership.

1.1       It was noted that Councillor Geoff Barraclough had replaced Councillor Ruth Bush.

To receive declarations by members and officers of the existence and nature of any personal or prejudicial interests in matters on this agenda.

3.1      Councillor Mohindra Gotz explained that a week before the meeting, all six Members of the Committee were provided with a full set of papers including a detailed officer’s report on each application; together with bundles of every single letter or e-mail received in respect of every application, including all letters and emails containing objections or giving support. Members of the Committee read through everything in detail prior to the meeting. Accordingly, if an issue or comment made by a correspondent was not specifically mentioned at this meeting in the officers’ presentation or by Members of the Committee, it did not mean that the issue had been ignored. Members will have read about the issue and comments made by correspondents in the papers read prior to the meeting.

3.2      Councillor Mohindra declared in respect of item 2, that he had attended a meeting with the applicant on 23 November 2018 as set out in the papers. In respect of item 3, he declared that he had met the applicant on 18 April 2019.

3.3      Councillor Boothroyd declared that he is Head of Research and Psephology for Thorncliffe, whose clients are companies applying for planning permission from various local authorities. No current schemes are in Westminster; if there were he would be precluded from working on them under the company’s code of conduct.

3.4      Councillor Boothroyd further declared that some Thorncliffe clients have engaged DP9 as planning consultants, who are also representing the applicants on items 1 and 2. However he does not deal directly with clients or other members of project teams, and planning consultants are not themselves clients.

3.5      On item 1, he that you declared that he was a member of the committee in December 2015 which granted the conversion to residential and that Graham Cotton who had submitted a late objection is a friend.

3.6      Councillor Gassanly declared in respect of item 2, that he chaired the Licensing Sub-Committee that approved the extension of licensing hours to G.A.Y. that had objected to the application.

To sign the minutes of the last meeting as a correct record of proceedings.

3.1      That the minutes of the meeting held on 23 April 2019 be signed by the

Chairman as a correct record of proceedings.

Applications for decision

Demolition of existing building to basement slab level and erection of a new building comprising basement, ground and 11 upper levels together with rooftop plant to provide a hotel (Class C1) with associated ancillary facilities including all necessary enabling works.

Additional representations were received from the occupier of 85 Carlisle Mansions, Carlisle Place, SW1P 1HZ together with a petition from residents of 300 Vauxhall Bridge Road who objected to the proposed development (1.5.2019) and the Victoria Area Bid (30.4.2019)

Late representations were received from the Victoria Neighbourhood Forum (7.5.2019), Public Protection and Licensing Environmental Sciences (3.5.2019), the Cathedral Area Residents Group (7.5.2019) and Councillor Selina Short (7.5.2019).

The Presenting Officer tabled the following amendments to the conditions in the draft decision letter:

Revised Condition 8

You must apply to us for approval of details of a supplementary acoustic report demonstrating that the plant will comply with the Council's noise criteria as set out in Conditions 6 and 7 of this permission.

You must not start work on these parts of the development until we have approved what you have sent us. You must then carry out the work according to these details.

Reason: Because existing external ambient noise levels exceed WHO Guideline Levels, and as set out in ENV 6 (1), (6) and (8) and ENV 7 (A)(1) of our Unitary Development Plan that we adopted in January 2007, so that the noise environment of people in noise sensitive properties is protected, including the intrusiveness of tonal and impulsive sounds; and as set out in S32 of Westminster's City Plan (November 2016), by contributing to reducing excessive ambient noise levels. (R51AB)

Revised Condition 23

Pre Commencement Condition. Notwithstanding the submitted Energy Strategy and Sustainability Statement, prior to the commencement of any demolition or construction on site the applicant shall submit an approval of details application to the City Council as local planning authority for approval of a revised Energy Strategy and Sustainability Statement, in consultation with the Greater London Authority. Commencement of any demolition or construction cannot take place until the City Council as local planning authority has issued its written approval of such an application. You must carry out the works according to the approved details and thereafter retain and maintain in accordance with the details. (See informative 23 for what should be included in the revised Energy Strategy and Sustainability Statement).

Reason: To make sure that the development provides the environmental sustainability features included in your application as set out in S28 or S40, or both, of Westminster's City Plan (November 2016).  (R44AC)

Revised Condition 24

Subject to what is agreed under Condition 23, you must apply to us for approval of detailed drawings of the termination of the District Heating and/or CHP flue (including details of its height and location). You must not occupy the development until we have approved what you have sent us and you have carried out the work according to the approved details.

Reason: To protect the environment of people in neighbouring  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1.

Refurbishment and extensions to existing building including three additional floors at roof level and rooftop plant enclosure, replacement of external facades and terraces at first to sixth floor level; to provide retail (Class A1), office (Class B1) and nightclub (Sui Generis) floorspace.

Late representations were received from Concilio (2.5.2019) and DP9 (25.4.2019).

Sarah Jones addressed the Sub-Committee in support of the application.

Richard Ward addresse the Sub-Committee in support of the application.

Jeremy Joseph addressed the Sub-Committee in objection to the application.

Councillor Jonathan Glanz addressed the Sub-Committee in objection to the application.

RESOLVED: (For: Councillors Mohindra, Boothroyd, Hitchcock Gassanly and Glen; Against: Councillor Barraclough)

1.           That conditional permission be granted subject to:

a) a S106 legal agreement to secure the following:

i)                 A payment of £1,713,303.47 towards the Council's affordable housing fund (index linked and payable on commencement of development).

ii)               Carbon offset payment of £41,400 (index linked and payable on commencement of development).

iii)             Monitoring costs.

b) an additional condition to ensure adequate lighting during construction and temporary signage particularly in respect of affected businesses in the immediate vicinity (Goslett Yard and Orange Yard).

2.         If the S106 legal agreement has not been completed within four weeks of the Committee resolution then:

            a)         The Executive Director for Growth, Planning and Housing shall consider whether the permission can be issued with additional condition to secure the benefits listed above. If this is possible and appropriate, the Executive Director for Growth, Planning and Housing is authorised to determine and issue such a decision under Delegated Powers, however, if not

            b)         The Executive Director for Growth, Planning and Housing shall consider whether permission be refused on the grounds that it has not proved possible to complete an agreement within an appropriate timescale, and the proposal is unacceptable in the absence of the benefits that would have been secured; if so, the Executive Director for Growth, Planning and Housing is authorised to determine the application and agree appropriate reason for refusal under Delegated Powers.

Flowers arranged over scaffolding on front elevation for a temporary period from 19 May 2019 -27 May 2019

Late representations were received from Jon Dingle Ltd (7.5.2019).

Jon Dingle addressed the Sub-Committee in support of the application.

Councillor Jonathan Glanz addressed the Sub-Committee in support of the application.

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY:

1.      That contrary to the recommendation of the Executive Director, Growth, Planning and Housing conditional advertisement consent be granted for a limited period from 19 May 2019 to 27 May 2019.  The conditions to be agreed under delegated powers.

2.      The Sub-Committee agreed to grant permission on the basis of exceptional circumstances in that the advertisement was for a limited period and of a type of advertisement that would not result in such harm to the setting of this listed building and the terrace. The Sub-Committee noted the applicants undertaking to have no more than 2 adverts a year (Christmas and the Chelsea flower show) and requested an additional informative that the granting of this permission does not prejudice the future decisions for such signage on this building