Agenda item

Redevelopment of the former Waterlow Building and construction of a replacement (temporary) building for Use Class D1 purposes with associated parking, landscaping and associated works.

(Planning application number: P2019/1773/FUL)

Prior to the committee presentation, the planning officer raised several points of clarifications and corrections, these matters included:

·         Page 161, paragraph 9.3 of the agenda, reference to condition 18 be amended to read condition 17

·         Page 162, paragraph 11.8 of the agenda, reference to condition 19 be amended to read condition 18

·         Page 171 paragraph 16.26 of the agenda, reference to condition 18 be amended to read condition 17

·         Page 179 paragraph 18.24 of the agenda, reference to condition 25 be amended to read condition 21

·         Page 184 paragraph 20.2 of the agenda, reference to condition 7 be amended to read condition 8

·         Page 186 Paragraph 22.5 of the agenda, condition 19 to be amended to read condition 18

·         Page 188 paragraph 237 of the agenda, reference to condition 6 be amended to read condition 7

·         Also imposition of condition 3 regarding drawings of the traffic management plans submitted by applicant be included in list of drawings to be approved

In the discussion the following points were made:

·         The Planning Officer reminded members that demolition of the building had been given prior approval on 4 July 2019 and that the temporary nature of the building is part of a development chain called Project Oriel which involves both Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust.

·         The Planning Officer informed the meeting that following advice, a number of revisions had been made by the applicant notably the reduced height of the temporary building in comparison to the existing waterlow building as this will ensure that the amenities of neighbouring residential properties are not  compromised and furthermore that the building would not be overly dominant from public views

·         The Planning Officer highlighted the benefits of the scheme, that it would be able to facilitate the delivery of Project Oriel, a £100m health infrastructure project; the removal of a derelict building that had been empty for 15 years to be replaced by a temporary building which will ensure the comprehensive master plan being delivered in the future delivering both a modern health care provision and much needed homes within the borough.

·         In response to concerns of a possible extension through a S73 application process after the 5-year period, the Planning Officer advised that in discussions with NHS representatives, the proposal is simply to facilitate part of the wider NHS master plan, and that there is an expectation that applicant after the end of the 5-year period will be seeking to erect a permanent structure on the exact site. Members were advised that any attempt to extend the temporary permission will have to considered on its merits and emerging planning policies by the planning committee at that time.

·         In response to concerns that the master plan had not been submitted as part of the application, the Director of Whittington Estates informed the meeting that in the last 12 months, the organisation had been in discussion with other parties on the master plan which is a very complex project. Members were informed that at present the master plan was not available to made public, however some elements of the plan had been shared with senior planning officers and dialogue would continue. A suggestion that prior to the plan being considered by the committee, the applicant should share it with members at the pre planning advice stage was noted.

·         With regards to the cost of the temporary building and future plans after the end of the 5-year period, members were reminded that the new building is a modular building and of high quality and the decision to go with this option on this site was because it was decided that this was the most cost effective option. In terms of materials that will be used both externally and internally of the building , members were informed that the building can be easily dismantled and materials are reusable.

·         The Planning Officer advised that 14 cycle stands will be provided on the site and that the car parking spaces was not confined to the users of the temporary building but for use by the wider Whittington hospital staff .

·         With regard to the ceramic tiles being proposed for the building, meeting was informed of condition 4 in the report requiring physical samples to be approved which will ensure appropriate quality of materials are used.

·         The Chair requested the front building alignment be altered to better align with neighbouring buildings and the highway
 

·         A request that an informative be included for the applicant to reuse the materials from the building was agreed. 

·         A suggestion on restricting the number of car spaces by 4 spaces in the next 2 to 3 years in line with the Council’s policy on car free developments was noted.

RESOLVED:

That following consideration of the case officer’s report (the assessment and recommendations therein), the presentation to Committee, submitted representations, planning permission be granted subject to the conditions and informatives set out in Appendix 2 of the officer report 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

ADDITIONAL CONDITION: Within three years of the date of this permission, a Car Parking Management Plan and Reduction Strategy shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

The Plan shall demonstrate how the four car parking spaces will be removed.

REASON: In the interests of facilitating a “car-free” development, ensuring the appropriate provision of parking (including accessible car parking provision) and promoting sustainable modes of transport.