Agenda item

Installation of the United Kingdom Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre including excavation to provide a basement and basement mezzanine for the learning centre (Class D1); erection of a single storey entrance pavilion; re-provision of the Horseferry Playground and refreshments kiosk (Class A1); repositioning of the Spicer Memorial; new hard and soft landscaping and lighting around the site; and all ancillary and associated works.

 

Late representations were received from DP9 (10.02.20), Board of Deputies of British Jews dated (10.02.20), Save Victoria Tower Gardens & The Thorney Island Society (10.02.20),Cathedral Area Residents Group (07.02.20), Jeremy Barrell (11.02.20),  Dr Irene Lancaster received (03.02.20), W.H. Fullerton (02.02.20), John Hesse-Architect (07.02.20), Mrs G P Hale (05.02.20), Gita Conn (10.02.20) and

Ruth Hilton (03.02.20).

 

Ms Karen Pollock MBE, representing the Holocaust Educational Trust addressed the Sub-Committee in support of the Application.

 

Ms Mala Tribitch MBE, representing the Holocaust Educational Trust addressed the Sub-Committee in support of the Application.

 

Ms Lucy Tilley of Adjaye Associates (Architect) addressed the Sub-Committee in support of the Application.

 

Ms Barbara Dingle addressed the Sub-Committee in support of the Application.

 

Mr David Cooper, representing sponsors addressed the Sub-Committee in support of the Application.

 

Dr Stephen G Frankiss addressed the Sub-Committee in support of the Application.

 

Mr Alan Leibowitz representing Save Victoria Tower Gardens addressed the Sub-Committee in objection to the Application.

 

Ms Nina Grunfeld representing Save Victoria Tower Gardens addressed the Sub-Committee in objection to the Application.

 

Mr Jeremy Barrell addressed the Sub-Committee in objection to the Application.

 

Dr Louise Read addressed the Sub-Committee in objection to the Application.

 

Mr Nicholas Hales addressed the Sub-Committee in objection to the Application.

 

Mr Robert Lindsey addressed the Sub-Committee in objection to the Application.

 

Mr Robert Nagle addressed the Sub-Committee in objection to the Application.

 

Ms Trudy Gold on behalf of Baroness Ruth Deech addressed the Sub-Committee in objection to the Application.     

 

Ms Sally Prothero representing London Parks and Gardens Trust (Planning and Conservation Group) addressed the Sub-Committee in objection to the Application.     

Ms Clare Annamalai representing Thorney Island Society addressed the Sub-Committee in objection to the Application.

 

Ms Barbara Weiss representing Westminster Society addressed the Sub-Committee in objection to the Application.

 

Councillor Mark Shearer addressed the Sub-Committee in his capacity as Ward Councillor in objection to the Application.

 

Council David Harvey addressed the Sub-Committee in his capacity as Ward Councillor in objection to the Application.

 

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY:

 

A         That had the application not been called in by the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, the Committee agreed that, although the principle of a national memorial and learning centre to the Holocaust was supported, the proposed memorial and learning centre, was, because of its size,            design, location and associated activity, an inappropriate form of development for the following reasons:

 

i.                 Heritage:

 

                        Because of its location, size and design, the Holocaust Memorial and              Learning Centre would cause harm, which was less than substantial,                  to the significance of Victoria Tower Gardens, the Westminster Abbey                   and Parliament Square Conservation Area, the setting and                              significance of Buxton Memorial, the neighbouring grade 1 listed                             Palace of Westminster, and the setting, significance and outstanding              universal value of the Palace of Westminster and Westminster Abbey             including Saint Margaret’s Church World Heritage Site. This harm was                         not considered to be outweighed by the public benefits of the                               proposed development.

 

                        Or, if the trees are lost or damaged:

 

                        Because of its location, size and design, the Holocaust Memorial and              Learning Centre would cause substantial harm to the significance of                         Victoria Tower Gardens, the Westminster Abbey and Parliament                                 Square Conservation Area, the setting and significance of Buxton                                    Memorial, the neighbouring grade 1 listed Palace of Westminster, and                    the setting , significance and outstanding universal value of the Palace                      of Westminster and Westminster Abbey including Saint Margaret’s                  Church World Heritage Site. This substantial harm was not                                    outweighed by public benefits.

 

ii.               Trees:

 

                        Inadequate and conflicting information had been submitted to allow              proper assessment of the impact of the proposed development on                                  trees within Victoria Tower Gardens, together with the effectiveness of                       suggested mitigation. As such it had not been satisfactorily                              demonstrated that unacceptable harm to, and/or loss of, trees would                 not arise as a result of the proposed development. Damage and/or                         loss to trees would be detrimental to the visual amenities of the area,                    and would have a further adverse effect on the significance of heritage                   assets.

 

iii.              Open Space:

 

                        The proposed development and associated increased visitor activity               would result in the loss of public open space and would harm the                               function of the Victoria Tower Gardens as an open space for active                        recreation and relaxation. This would be to the detriment of those who                       live in, work in, and visit the area.

 

B.        That in the event that the Secretary of State granted permission following the        inquiry, the Director of Place Shaping and Town Planning was authorised to   seek to secure planning conditions (pursuant to s72 of the TCPA) and a s106/   s278 legal agreement to secure the following:

 

i.                 All highway works immediately surrounding the site required for the development to occur, including any necessary changes to foot way levels, on-street restrictions, (legal, administrative and physical);

 

ii.               Public realm improvements;

 

iii.              A financial contribution towards carbon offsetting;

 

iv.               Management Plan (including security, operational, pre-booking system for learning centre and free public access in perpetuity);

 

v.               A financial contribution towards the Westminster Employment Service;

 

vi.              A financial contribution of (sum to be confirmed) towards updating Legible London signage payable on commencement;

 

vii.            ss106 monitoring costs.