This meeting was about whether to grant planning permission for developments at three sites in Newham. The Local Development Committee were provided with a report pack that outlined arguments for and against granting planning permission, however it is important to note that these reports only show what was scheduled to be considered, and we do not know what was actually discussed or decided in the meeting.

409 High Street North, Manor Park

The report pack contains a proposal to demolish the existing buildings at 409 High Street North, Manor Park and build a part-three, part-four storey building containing a 29-bedroom House in Multiple Occupation (Sui Generis) and a mixed use co-working space and café (Sui Generis) on the ground floor.

The report recommends that planning permission be granted, highlighting a number of potential benefits:

The proposed development is on a prominent corner plot [...] and situated directly adjacent to the existing three storey building originally constructed as a Salvation Church in the Victorian era now used by the Renewal programme and Manor Pre-school and is locally listed.

The report acknowledges concerns from local residents about the height of the development, and its impact on daylight for neighbours, parking availability and the possibility that the new residents of the HMO will contribute to crime in the area.

In response to these concerns, the report states that:

The Daylight and Sunlight Assessment demonstrates that the proposal will have a minimal impact on the light received by neighbouring properties. [...] In this instance, the minor failure of some of the windows to meet all three tests in this site specific circumstance is considered on balance acceptable when applying an appropriate degree of flexibility and considering the resultant benefits of the development.

The report also highlights the inclusion of a detailed HMO Management Plan intended to address neighbours’ concerns:

The proposal has also be accompanied by a HMO Management Plan which details the management strategy to deal with any anti-social behaviour or other noise and disturbance to neighbouring occupiers including limiting any amplified music which has been reviewed by officers including LBN Environmental Health Team and is considered acceptable and would help to deter any anti-social behaviour by occupants. A condition has been attached to the decision to ensure that the use is always carried out in full compliance with the approved HMO Management Plan to ensure these noise and disturbance mitigation strategies are always complied with in full.

A number of planning conditions were recommended to be attached to the planning permission, including the requirement for a Demolition and Construction Management Plan and a Travel Plan.

Hudson Bay, 1-5 Upton Lane, Forest Gate

This application requests permission to change the use of the ground floor and basement of Hudson Bay at 1-5 Upton Lane, Forest Gate from a public house (sui generis) to a multi-functional community centre (use class F.2). The application was submitted by the Quwwat-Ul-Islam Society.

The report pack recommends that planning permission be granted:

The loss of the existing public house and introduction of a flexible community facility use within a supported location whilst also addressing a local need is on balance, supported in principle in this site specific circumstance.

This recommendation is made despite the fact that:

The applicant has not provided authoritative marketing evidence that demonstrates that there is no realistic prospect of the building being used as a pub in the foreseeable future.

The report acknowledges that a number of residents objected to the application on the basis that:

There are several mosques in the area and the local congregation is more than catered for – Census data back up

and that, because it will be run by a religious group, non-muslims:

would not feel welcome – not inclusive

In response to these concerns, the report states that:

The ground floor space would be utilised for the use of different segments of the local community and whilst the community facility would be owned and operated by the Quwwat-Ul-Islam Society, it would not be a purely religious facility.

It also highlights that the application was supported by residents who stated that:

Newham requires increased community provision to cater for increased population from more housing being built

A number of planning conditions were recommended to be attached to the planning permission, including the provision of a Travel Plan, a Delivery and Servicing Plan, and details about sound insulation.

Clapton Football Club, Upton Lane, Forest Gate

The report pack contains an application to install a new mesh link fence around the perimeter of Clapton Football Club on Upton Lane, Forest Gate. This would replace the existing boundary treatment, which consists of:

several types of fences ranging in both materiality and height: • 2m high concrete fence 26.5m in length • 3.75m high concrete and mesh fence 64.2m in length • 3.75m high brick wall and mesh fence 8.2m in length • 2m high timber fence 21.9m in length

The report recommends that planning permission be granted, concluding that:

The proposal would improve the existing safeguarding measures implemented and is acceptable in principle. The proposed fencing would provide a uniform finish to the boundaries visible from the public realm and would not detract from the appearance of the street scene or adjacent listed building.

The report pack includes one response from a resident who supports the application.

A number of planning conditions are recommended, including details of what materials will be used, and restricting the hours during which construction can take place.