Agenda item

1                Portland House Bressenden Place London SW1E 5BH

Ground plus 14 storey extension along Bressenden Place to provide Class B1 (office) accommodation and Class A1 (retail) accommodation at ground floor. Use of Level 28 and new pavilion extension at main roof level for restaurant and bar (sui generis) use. The installation of two external lifts on the northern elevation of the building. Works to the existing building façade, including the replacement of the treatment of the top of the building, the replacement of the existing windows and the cleaning of the existing façade and associated works. The reconfiguration of the existing ground and first floor to provide Class A3 (restaurant) accommodation, the provision of a flexible Class A1/A3 (retail/restaurant) unit at ground floor, the use of the basement for Class A3, Class B1 (office), flexible Class A1/A3/D2 (retail/restaurant/gym). Removal of part of the existing canopy, works to the public realm, the provision of cycle parking spaces and associated works.

Additional representations were received from Thorney Island Society (18.09.19), Arboricultural Services (06.09.19) and Landsec (Unknown).

Late Representation was received from Cathedral Area Residents Group (20.09.19), two local resident (20.09.19) and (20.09.19) and Councillor Louise Hyams (24.09.19).

Beth West addressed the Sub-Committee in support of the application.

David Samuel addressed the Sub-Committee in objection of the application

Peter Roberts addressed the Sub-Committee in objection of the application

The Presenting Officer tabled the following amendments to the Recommendations and Conditions.

Grant conditional permission, subject to additional neighbour notification and subject to a S106 legal agreement to secure the following:

1. An Employment and Skills Plan
2. A financial contribution of £ 395,953 to support the Westminster Employment Service (Payable on commencement of development).
3. A strategy for the dismantling, storage and relocation of the Big Painting public art.
4. To secure the public realm benefits through a bespoke or modified Walkways Agreement.
5. A contribution of £20,000 (index linked and payable on commencement) to update wayfinding signage.
6. Monitoring payment of £500 for each obligation.

If the legal agreement has not been completed within six weeks of the date of the Committee resolution, then:

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

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

Delete Condition 24

No properties shall be occupied until confirmation has been provided that all water network upgrades required to accommodate the additional flows from the development have been completed.

Additional Conditions

You must apply to us for approval of details to demonstrate that either all water network upgrades required to accommodate the additional flows from the development have been completed; or a development and infrastructure phasing plan has been agreed with Thames Water to allow the additional development to be occupied. Where an infrastructure phasing plan is agreed no occupation shall take place other than in accordance with the agreed infrastructure phasing plan. You must not occupy any part of the approved office extension or the roof top pavilion extension until we have approved what you have sent us in consultation with Thames Water.

No construction shall take place within 5m of the water main. Information detailing how you intend to divert the asset / align the development so as to prevent the potential for damage to subsurface potable water infrastructure, must be submitted to and approved in writing by us in consultation with Thames Water. Any construction must be undertaken in accordance with the terms of the approved information. Unrestricted access must be available at all times for the maintenance and repair of the asset during and after the construction works.

Revised condition 41

The energy measures set out in the approved Energy Strategy Rev 3 shall be provided, unless otherwise agreed in writing with us. If any of the approved A1, A3 or sui generis retail units (save for the existing Class A3 unit at ground, basement and first floor levels) require a separate energy supply, details of how the applicant will promote the occupiers of these units to source their energy from 100% renewable sources shall be submitted and approved prior to occupation of the relevant unit.

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY:

1)         That conditional permission be granted as amended subject to additional           neighbour notification and subject to a S106 legal agreement to secure the       following:

                          I.          An Employment and Skills Plan

                        II.          A financial contribution of £395,953 to support the Westminster Employment Service (Payable on commencement of development).

                       III.          A strategy for the dismantling, storage and relocation of the Big Painting public art.

                      IV.          To secure the public realm benefits through a bespoke or modified Walkways Agreement.

                        V.          A contribution of £20,000 (index linked and payable on commencement) to update wayfinding signage.

                      VI.          Monitoring payment of £500 for each obligation.

2)         If the legal agreement has not been completed within six weeks of the date of the Committee resolution, then:

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

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

3)         That an additional Condition requiring approval of details for privacy and lighting mitigation measures be extended to the external lifts.