Agenda item

Extensions to the existing building, including an additional storey above existing building and part 4, part 5 storey extension over car park, to provide office, workshop and studio space with an ancillary café, together with hard and soft landscaping.

(Planning application number: P2017/3081/FUL)

In the discussion the following points were made:

·         The planning officer stated that an addendum report had been circulated to members setting out consideration of the Human Rights Act and additional clarification comments from the Design and Conservation Officer in relation to the impact on heritage assets.

·         The planning officer advised that since the committee report was published, the applicant had provided an elevated affordable workspace offer, including a discount market rent for 10% of the net increase for a 10-year period at 75% of the market rent. At least 5% of the uplift in area in the extension would be available to rent on a per desk basis (Club Workspace provision). Condition 13 would be amended accordingly.

·         In response to a member’s question about the BRE figures in relation to daylight, the planning officer advised that the existing buildings received an atypical amount of daylight due to the presence of the open air car park.

·         In response to a member’s question the planning officer advised that in relation to designing out crime, the police had certain standards. If these were met, a certificate was issued. The standard design condition would be added and the certificate would be required as part of this.

·         Concern was raised that it was proposed that the café would be open until 11pm on weekdays. A member suggested an earlier closing time to protect residential amenity.

·         The planning officer drew members’ attention to the Council’s statutory duty to preserve, meaning to do no harm to heritage assets, and advised that officers had been mindful in placing great weight on this in the planning balance.

·         The committee considered the special interest of each of the heritage assets with regard to the statutory duty and also considered the impact the scheme would have on each one. Members agreed with the Design and Conservation Officer’s assessments set out in the addendum report (being that the proposal would cause less than substantial harm to the setting of St Paul’s Church and result in a negligible impact (no harm) on the setting of 178-190 Balls Pond Road and no harm to the character and appearance of the Canonbury Conservation Area).

·         While members acknowledged there would be less than substantial harm to the setting of the church, they noted the fact that any harm being caused meant they must place great weight on this in the planning balance. Members considered that there were also significant public benefits that would be delivered, and that the benefits were such that on balance, members considered that the benefits outweighed the less than substantial harm to the setting of the church.

Councillor Cutler proposed a motion to restrict the closing time of the café to 8pm on weekdays. This was seconded by Councillor Graham and carried.

RESOLVED:

That following consideration of the case officer’s report (the assessment and recommendations therein), the presentation to Committee, submitted representations and objections provided verbally at this meeting, planning permission be granted subject to the conditions and informatives set out in Appendix 1 of the officer report and the additional condition outlined above; and subject to 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.