The meeting made decisions on three planning applications. Two deferred applications were granted and one deferred application was again deferred.

4-5 Harbour Exchange Square

The application to build a 52 storey mixed-use development at 4-5 Harbour Exchange Square was deferred at the meeting on 28 August 2024 to see if the scheme could incorporate more family-sized units. The Applicant, GAW Capital, confirmed that the application would remain as originally proposed.

The Committee debated the proposals and noted the concerns about the limited number of family-sized units and potential disruption from construction activities.

The Committee voted to grant planning permission for the scheme.

Former Westferry Printworks

The application for a phased, mixed-use redevelopment of the former Westferry Printworks site was presented for decision.

Mr Andrew Wood, a resident, spoke in objection to the application, noting that the previous Section 106 Agreement¹ included a commitment to build a secondary school on the site. The school was not delivered, and Mr Wood requested the Committee either defer their decision until October 2024, or impose a condition that requires a lease be signed with the Department for Education for the school before planning permission is granted.

Section 106 Agreements are legal agreements between local authorities and developers. They are used to mitigate the impact of new development, for example by securing funding for local infrastructure or public realm improvements. They are governed by Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1992 and associated legislation and guidance.

Ms Ruth Bravery, also a resident, spoke in objection to the proposal, stating that the Inspector who assessed the Appeal Scheme concluded that the consented scheme represented the maximum amount of development that could be accommodated on the site.

Ms Annie Clements, from Carney Sweeney, spoke in objection to the application on behalf of the owner of Greenwich View Place, a data centre that adjoins the site. Ms Clements raised concerns that the proposals would result in significant volumes of construction and service vehicles on Millharbour, impacting on Greenwich View Place and neighbouring residential properties. Ms Clements requested a condition be attached to the permission that requires all servicing and construction to take place from Westferry Road.

Mr Richard Martin, director of Westferry Developments, spoke in favour of the application, accompanied by Mr Jonathan Marginson of DP9. Mr Marginson advised that the Applicant had engaged extensively with the Council during the pre-application phase, with two iterations of the scheme having been considered.

In response to the points raised by the registered speakers, Officers advised that the application included provisions for a lease to be signed between the Applicant and the DfE for the school.

The Committee debated the application and noted concerns about the impact on Millharbour if the scheme were to be approved. The Committee also expressed dissatisfaction that the Applicant had employed Your Shout, a public consultation company, to contact residents about the scheme.

The Committee voted to grant planning permission for the proposals.

Whitechapel Road Development Site

The application to redevelop the Whitechapel Road Development Site to provide five buildings and retain one building for life science and related uses was deferred at the meeting held on 28 August 2024 to re-evaluate the local economic contribution of the development and to undertake a site visit.

Mr Tom Bruce, a resident of nearby Mount Terrace, spoke in objection to the application. Mr Bruce requested a condition be attached to the permission to require Yorkstone flags to be used to resurface Mount Terrace and requested the Applicant consider relocating the planters which would be situated over the basement light wells of Mount Terrace properties.

Mr Edwin Mingard, a resident of Gwynne House, also spoke in objection to the scheme, raising concerns about the adverse impact of the proposed scheme on daylight to Gwynne House.

Mr Adrian Powell from NHS Property Services spoke in favour of the application. Mr Powell was accompanied by Sir Mark Caulfield, vice principal for health, Queen Mary’s Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, and Mr Jonathan Marginson, from DP9. Mr Marginson advised that the scheme had been designed following the design principles set out in Chapter 3 of the London Plan, which seeks to deliver high-quality design and optimise the use of land in London.

In response to the points raised by the objectors, Mr Marginson advised that the Applicant would review the requests for Yorkstone flags to be used on Mount Terrace and relocation of the planters.

The Committee debated the application and noted concerns about the impact of the scheme on daylight to Gwynne House and the lack of local economic contribution that the scheme would provide, including the limited number of apprenticeships that would be created.

The Committee voted to defer the application.