Agenda item

Part demolition and alterations to existing building comprising demolition of second to fifth floor level, part demolition of ground and first floor at south eastern corner, removal of existing facades at ground and first floor level, erection of new second to seventh floors with setback eighth floor plant level to provide office (Class E) accommodation, new and replacement façades, installation of entrance canopies along Oxford Street and Davies Street, provision of terraces at third, fifth, sixth and seventh floor levels including greening, installation of plant and enclosure at second floor level, provision of cycle parking spaces and facilities and associated works.

The presenting officer tabled the following amendment in bold to the recommendation:

1.          “Subject to the views of the Mayor of London, grant conditional   permission subject to a legal agreement to secure the following:”

David Bloy addressed the Sub-Committee in support of the application.

Galina Fomina addressed the Sub-Committee in objection to the application.

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY:

1)        That subject to the views of the Mayor of London conditional permission, as amended, be granted subject to a legal agreement to secure the following:

a)        A financial contribution of £162,450 (index linked) towards the City Council's Carbon Off Set fund (payable prior to the commencement of the development);

b)        Monitoring and reporting on the actual operational energy performance of the building, including as-built and in-use stage data;

c)        A financial contribution of £137,094 (index linked) towards initiatives that provide local employment, training opportunities and skills development and supporting the Westminster Employment Service (payable prior to the commencement of the development);

d)        A financial contribution of £35,000 (index linked) to provide an extension to a nearby Cycle Hire docking station;

e)        All highway works immediately surrounding the site required for the development to occur prior to occupation of the development, including reinstatement of redundant crossovers in Weighhouse Street. All of the above to the Council's specification, at full cost (administrative, legal and physical) of the developer;

f)        Costs of the stopping-up process; and

g)        The costs of monitoring the S106 agreement.

2)        That if the legal agreement had not been completed within six weeks of the date of the Committee resolution, then:

a)        The Director of Place Shaping and Town Planning should consider whether the permission can be issued with additional conditions attached to secure the benefits listed above. If this was possible and appropriate, the Director of Place Shaping and Town Planning was authorised to determine and issue such a decision under Delegated Powers; however, if not

b)        The Director of Place Shaping and Town Planning should consider whether permission should be refused on the grounds that it had 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 was authorised to determine the application and agree appropriate reasons for refusal under Delegated Powers.

3)        That the making of a draft Order pursuant to Section 247 of The Town and Country Planning Act (1990) (as amended) for the stopping up of parts of the public highway to enable this development be authorised to take place.

4)        That the Director of City Highways, Executive Director of City Management and Communities, or other such proper officer of the Council responsible for highway functions, be authorised to take all necessary procedural steps in conjunction with the making of the Order and to make the Order as proposed if there were no unresolved objections to the draft Order.