Agenda and draft minutes

To note any changes to the membership.

1.1      It was noted that Councillor Jason Williams was substituting for Councillor Ruth Bush.

1.2      A Councillor was required to Chair the evening’s meeting and therefore the Sub-Committee

RESOLVED:

That Councillor Jason Williams be elected Chair of Planning Sub-Committee (1) for that evening’s meeting.

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      The Chair explained that a week before the meeting, all 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 would have read about the issue and comments made by correspondents in the papers read prior to the meeting. 

? 

2.2      Councillor Lilley declared that in respect of item 1, the application site was within his ward, but he had held no discussions with any parties regarding the application.

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

RESOLVED:

3.1      The minutes of the meeting held on 29 October 2024 were signed by the Chair as a correct record of proceedings.

Applications for decision

Partial demolition, refurbishment and extension of the existing buildings including; creation of external terraces; new cycle parking and facilities, and associated works in connection with the use of the buildings for office accommodation (Class E), retail (Class E) and restaurant (Class E) purposes.

Nick Lawson addressed the Sub-Committee in support of the application.

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY:

1)              That conditional permission be granted subject to a S106 legal agreement to secure the following obligations:

a)        A financial contribution of £ 18,184 (index linked) towards the Carbon Off Set Fund (payable prior to the commencement of the development);

b)        'Be Seen' monitoring and reporting on the actual operational energy performance of the building, including as-built and in-use stage data;

c)        A financial contribution of £ 36,271 (index linked) towards initiatives that provide local employment, training opportunities and skills development and supporting the Westminster Employment service (payable prior to the commencement of the development);

d)        The costs of monitoring the S106 agreement.

2)        That if the S106 legal agreement had not been completed within 3 months from the date of the Committee's resolution then:

a)        The Director of Town Planning & Building Control shall consider whether the permission can be issued with additional conditions attached to secure the benefits listed above. If this was possible and appropriate, the Director of Town Planning & Building Control was authorised to determine and issue such a decision under Delegated Powers; however, if not

b)        The Director of Town Planning & Building Control shall consider whether permission should be refused on the grounds that it had not proved possible to complete an agreement within an appropriate timescale, and that the proposals were unacceptable in the absence of the benefits that would have been secured; if so the Director of Town Planning & Building Control was authorised to determine the application and agree appropriate reasons for refusal under Delegated Powers.

The application was withdrawn prior to the meeting by the applicant.