Agenda item

Variation of conditions 1, 31 and 35 of planning permission dated 4 March 2020 (RN 19/06767/FULL) (amended by 20/05397/NMA) which permitted the following development : Demolition of the existing buildings at 19-35 Baker Street, 88-110 George Street, 69-71 Blandford Street and redevelopment to create a mixed use scheme providing commercial uses and up to 51 residential units within a new ground plus nine storey building (and an enclosed plant area) on Baker Street; a new stepped ground plus four to ground plus six storey building on George Street; refurbishment, extension and the change of use of the first floor from office to residential at 30 Gloucester Place; creation of a single storey basement level linking the Baker Street and George Street buildings to provide car and cycle parking, refuse and servicing; creation of a new central, publicly accessible courtyard; removal of 5 trees and replacement trees across the site, a new publicly accessible route at ground level connecting Baker Street and Gloucester Place; associated plant, landscaping, replacement pavements in part and other associated works NAMELY, to allow alterations including alterations at ground floor level and at 10th floor roof level including a new roof top room, roof terrace and alterations to plant enclosure at 19-35 Baker Street, new risers at 3rd floor to roof level at 30 Gloucester Place,introduction of increased flexibility to the commercial units across the ground

floor and to remove the existing tree situated directly to the front of the newly

approved entrance and replace it with a new tree to the south-west corner of

Gloucester Place.

Additional representations were received from Gerald Eve LLP (16.06.21) and a Local Resident (unknown)

The presenting officer tabled the following additional Condition.

Item 5 19- 35 Baker Street, 88-110 George Street, 69-71 Blandford Street and 30 Gloucester Place

Additional condition No 42

You must apply to us for approval of a detailed lighting strategy for the courtyard which includes details of all light fittings and lighting levels. You must not start any work on this part of the development until we have approved what you have sent us. You must not then install all lighting in accordance with the details approved.

Reason To protect the environment of people in neighbouring properties, as set out Policies 7 and 38 of the City Plan 2019 - 2040 (April 2021)

Benjy Lesser addressed the Sub-Committee in support of the application.

Rosemary Hook addressed the Sub-Committee in objection to the application.

RESOLVED:

1.     That conditional permission be granted subject to the additional Condition as set above and subject to a deed of variation to a S106 legal agreement to secure:

i) provision of 10 affordable housing units at 30 Gloucester Place, (including securing rent levels) to be made ready for occupation prior to the occupation of the market housing on George Street (building D).

ii) a financial contribution of £10 million towards the City Council's affordable housing fund (index linked and payable on commencement of development)

iii) a viability review mechanism

v) costs relating to highways works around the site to facilitate the development

v) provision of unallocated residential parking

vi) lifetime car club membership (25 years) for each residential unit payable on first occupation

vii) a lift management and maintenance plan

viii) a financial contribution to the carbon offsetting fund carbon offsetting fund of £76,665 for the

residential part of the development prior to commencement of development

ix) the applicant pays the City Council's reasonable costs of making and consulting on an Order

pursuant to Section 247 of the Town and Country Planning Act (1990) (as amended) to 'stop-up' an

area of public highway.

x) Crossrail payment of £2,696,155 (index linked) to be paid on commencement of development

xi) a financial contribution towards the cost of off-street tree planting on George Street,

Gloucester Place and Blandford Street.

xii) an employment and training strategy

xiii) monitoring costs

2.     If the deed of variation to 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

3.     The Committee authorises the making of a draft order pursuant to Section 247 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 for the stopping up of the highway required to enable the development to take place.

4.     That details to apply for Condition 39 be approved by the Committee.