Decision details

The application before Members was for a part change of use and conversion of ground, first and second floor retail floorspace; third floor extension; and elevational changes to accommodate an eighty-five-bedroom hotel including a restaurant. The application sought planning permission for a third floor extension to the building which together with the existing first and second floor was proposed to be used as a hotel inclusive of public restaurant. A retail use on the ground floor of the building would be maintained as part of the proposals.

This was a re-submission of a previous application which was refused planning permission. The applicant had sought to review the scheme in an attempt to overcome the reasons for refusal and in doing so had revised the proposed cladding and façade treatment, undertaken further transport assessments and provided additional information on proposed servicing arrangements.

Members also noted that the original refusal of planning permission had been overturned by the Planning Inspectorate following appeal, consequently the only relevant consideration in regard to the application was of the façade treatment.

With its agreement Councillor Frederick Thompson addressed the Committee.

Councillor Thompson commented that the newly submitted façade treatment was more aesthetically pleasing and that the proposal would ensure the building was in active use going forward.

Members noted that the proposal qualified for a Mayoral CIL contribution of £12,120 and RESOLVED that the proposal was unacceptable as its stood but would be acceptable subject to the applicant entering into a legal agreement under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to secure the following obligations by 27 October 2017 and in the event that the s106 agreement was not completed by such date the item should be returned to the Committee for reconsideration:

• A financial contribution of £10,000 towards local pedestrian dropped kerb improvements and the provision of a loading bay in Ducking Stool Court, to be paid prior to the commencement of development.

• All contribution sums should include interest to the due date of expenditure and all contribution sums should be subject to indexation from the date of completion of the Section 106 agreement to the date of receipt by the Council.

• The Developer/Owner to pay the Council’s reasonable legal costs associated with the legal agreement, prior to the completion of the agreement, irrespective of whether the agreement was completed; and

• Payment of the appropriate planning obligations monitoring fee prior to the completion of the agreement.

It was therefore recommended that the Director of Neighbourhoodsbe authorised to enter into a legal agreement to secure the above and upon completion of that agreement, grant planning permission subject to the conditions as set out in the report.

The vote for the resolution to grant planning permission was carried by 9 votes to 2.

Councillors Donald and Hawthorn voted against the resolution to grant planning permission.