Agenda and minutes

To note any changes to the membership.

1                Membership

1.1       It was noted that Councillor Elizabeth Hitchcock had replaced Councillor   Mark Shearer.

1.2       It was noted that Councillor Nafsika Butler-Thalassis had replaced Councillor        David Boothroyd.

To receive declarations by Members and Officers of the existence and nature of any pecuniary interests or any other significant interest in matters on this agenda.

2.1       Councillor Rigby explained that a week before the meeting, all six Members

of the Sub-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 Sub-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 Sub-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.

2.2       Councillor Hyams declared that in respect of Item 1, the Application site was in her ward (St James’s). Cllr Hyams, along with her ward colleagues, received a briefing for the 2016 application by the Applicant but was not briefed in 2019, and had not been briefed on the application which was discussed in this Committee. 

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

3.1      RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 23 November 2021 be signed by the Chair as a correct record of proceedings.

Applications for decision

Partial demolition, alterations, extensions and refurbishment of existing buildings to provide a part 4-8 storey block plus one basement level for use as Hotel (Class C1) with ancillary facilities and roof terrace; continued pub/bar (Sui Generis) and residential (Class C3) at 23 Wellington Street; provision of plant, servicing, cycle parking and other associated works (Site includes: 23 Wellington Street, 25-31 Wellington Street, 22 Tavistock Street, 24-28 Tavistock Street, 13-14 Exeter Street, 12 Burleigh Street, 14 Burleigh Street and 15 Exeter Street). </AI5>

An additional representation was received from Applicant (13/01/2022).

A late representation was received from the Covent Garden Community Association (18/01/2022).

The Presenting Officer tabled the following corrections and amendments to draft conditions.

Item No. 1 25-31 Wellington Street London WC2E 7DD 

Corrections to NPPF paragraph references in report:

8.2 Townscape and Design

Start of paragraph 7–correct NPPF paragraph reference is 199 not 132

Start of paragraph 10–correct NPPF paragraph reference is 202 not 134

8.8 Westminster City Plan

Penultimate line of paragraph–correct NPPF paragraph reference is 47 not 49

8.10 National Policy/Guidance Considerations

Second line – should read NPPF 2021 not NPPF 2019

Amendments to draft conditions:

Condition 30

Before anyone moves into the property, you must provide the separate stores for waste and materials for recycling shown on drawing number P20049-FCH-XX-B1-DR-A-1301 P03 & P20049-FCH-00-DR-A-1302 P03 prior to occupation and thereafter you must permanently retain them for the storage of waste and recycling. You must clearly mark them and make them available at all times to everyone using the hotel, bar/bistro, pub and residential. No waste or bins should be left or stored on the public highway.

Condition 43

Pre-Commencement Condition: No development shall commence until a programme has been submitted to and approved by the City Council as local planning authority for the implementation of a Community Liaison Group to keep local residents and businesses including the Lyceum Theatre informed throughout the demolition and construction works and for when the hotel is operational.

Additional condition:

A post construction BREEAM assessment to demonstrate a target rating of Excellent has been achieved shall be submitted to and approved by the local planning authority within two months of practical completion. The details approved in the BREEAM report shall thereafter be retained, and shall not be removed.

Naomi Heaton addressed the Sub-Committee in support of the application.

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY 

That permission be granted subject to additional Conditions as tabled and additional Conditions recommended by the Committee. 

1. That conditional permission, as amended, be granted subject to:

a)     a s106 legal agreement to secure the following:

i.  Employment and Skills plan

ii. Financial contribution of £335,022.17 to the Westminster Employment Service - index linked and payable prior to the commencement of development

iii. Carbon off-set payment of £695.40 index linked and payable prior to commencement of development

iv. Financial payment index linked to cover cost of essential highways works including the creation of an on-street loading bay in Exeter Street and changes to on-street parking and loading restrictions

v. Monitoring costs   

b)     Condition  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1.