Agenda item

The report before Members considered a cross boundary hybrid application (part outline, part detailed) for a total of 2,900 dwellings within Havering and the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham on a site of total area of 31.54 ha. Within Havering the application proposed the erection of 733 dwellings comprising of 137 houses and 596 apartments on land known as Beam Park to the east and west of Marsh Way, south of the A1306. Phase 1 of the development would deliver 536 dwellings, a new local centre based around a new railway station, up to 5,272 sq.m of other support uses including commercial floorspace and a 1,500 sqm health centre and community facilities. Phase 1 would also provide the site for a new 3 form of entry primary school with communal sports facilities plus extensive areas of open space and landscaping including a new park either side of the River Beam and a linear parkway along New Road. The development would provide 50% affordable housing.

The application was deferred from the 15 March 2018 meeting for staff to clarify the position in relation to school provision, height, affordable housing, healthcare provision and the level of parking. Revisions had been made to the application in response which were addressed in the report. 

With its agreement Councillors David Durant and Michael Deon Burton addressed the Committee.

Councillor Durant commented that the proposal was a contradiction to the Local Plan and that no consideration had been given to the possibility of the Rainham to Belvedere river crossing that may be introduced in the future. Councillor Durant also commented that the Council needed to approach the  Mayor for London’s office to determine which of the river crossing options were to be taken forward as there would be increased traffic and greater air pollution to future residents if the Rainham to Belvedere option was chosen. Councillor Durant concluded by commenting that although the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham had approved their part of the scheme Havering’s resident’s views and those of the Rainham, Wennington and South Hornchurch Work Party had been ignored.

Councillor Burton commented that as things stood there was currently no school provider in place and the station did not exist. Councillor Burton also commented that Councillors sitting on the Rainham, Wennington and South Hornchurch Working Party had been promised a garden suburb during consultations with the developers however the proposed development was more of a flatted high density development. Councillor Burton concluded that the proposed blocks were taller than had been promised and the proposal was an overdevelopment of the site and was not fit for purpose as there was insufficient parking provision.

During the debate Members discussed the suitability of the proposal and there were several concerns that views of the Committee, residents and the Rainham, Wennington and South Hornchurch Working Party had not been taken into consideration and the proposal still was not suitable in terms of height and impact on character of the area.

The report recommended that planning permission be granted however following a motion to refuse the granting of planning permission which was carried by 6 votes to 5.

It was RESOLVED that planning permission be refused on the grounds of height and impact on character.

Councillors Hawthorn, Donald, Nunn, Whitney, Martin and Williamson voted for the resolution to refuse the granting of planning permission.