Agenda item

Demolition of the existing buildings and erection of a 27-storey building (part 10, part 15, part 20, part 25, part 27-storeys) with 3 basement levels to provide for 63,507 square metres (GIA) of office floorspace (Use Class B1(a)) and 1,222 square metres (GIA) of flexible retail/professional services/restaurant/café floorspace (Use Class A1/A2/A3) along with associated access and servicing arrangements, cycle parking, refuse storage and landscaping works.

(Planning application number: P2017/3103)

In the discussion the following points were made:

·         Members were informed that since publication of the agenda, a response had been received by Network Rail, who have requested a condition relating to drainage, method statements/APPM, earthworks/excavations and tunnels if planning permission is granted.

·         The Planning officer also advised that since publication of the Officer’s Report, the applicant had offered 955 square metres of SME workspace contained within the proposal, at a discounted rate of 60% of the market rental value for a period of 15 years.

·         Members were advised that the scheme would provide suitable office floor space to be occupied by micro and small enterprises and the proposal would result in public realm improvements, widening of footway pavements and the introduction of a place making tree at the junction of Ropemaker Street and Finsbury Pavement.

·         With regards to housing provision, Members were informed that an off-site contribution of £4,639,680 is to be secured by legal agreement.  

·         In response to objectors concerns about the loss of light and lack of consultation, Members were advised that letters had been sent out including residents of the Heron building and the loss of light was minimal in the context of 5 windows being impacted at relatively low levels when weighed against the other advantages of the scheme.

·         In response to the agent’s assertion that the scheme would bring in business rates to Islington Council, the legal officer advised Members that this was not a material consideration.

·         Members discussed the provision of employment at the site and the number of local jobs that would be created. A request for London Living Wage to be paid was requested by Councillor Kay with the applicant advising that was outside the scope of the development stage, but that a commitment during the construction phase for that to be paid would be made.

·         A query regarding the net or gross job number increase was raised by Councillor Convery.

·         Members welcomed the scheme as policy compliant, especially with its commitment on providing employment opportunities for apprentices.

Councillor Fletcher proposed a motion to grant planning permission. This was seconded by Councillor Ward and carried.

RESOLVED:

That planning permission be granted subject to the conditions set out in Appendix 1 of the officer report and the additional condition outlined above; and conditional upon the prior completion of a Deed of Planning Obligation made under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 securing the heads of terms as set out in Appendix 1 of the officer report as amended above and subject to any direction by the Mayor of London to refuse the application or for it to be called in for determination by the Mayor of London.