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The Senior Development Management Officer (SDMO),
Be First, introduced a report on an application from Segro (East
Plus) Ltd seeking an outline planning permission (all matters
reserved), for the
demolition of existing research building, gatehouse and associated
hardstanding; construction of an industrial building (Use Class B2,
B8, E(g)(iii)), with ancillary offices, creation of new vehicular
accesses from Hitch Street; cycle, motorcycle, car, van and HGV
parking; pedestrian access; hardstanding and circulation areas;
ancillary infrastructure and all other ancillary and enabling works
including landscaping, drainage, engineering, substation, pumping
station, ground stability works and boundary treatment.
 
A
total of 127 notification letters were sent to neighbouring and
nearby properties together with appropriate site and press notices.
No objections were received.
 
The SDMO in their presentation
referenced the proposed design and quality of materials, the
financial contributions as well as sustainable transport
enhancements and proposed car parking provision, secured as part of
reserved matters. The latter included a requirement on the owner to
use reasonable endeavours to ensure car parking was reduced by 10%
within ten years of the first occupation of the development, which
would be secured through a s106 obligation. 
 
The SDMO explained that the
current application would run alongside that previously approved in
February 2023 application (21/00023/FULL), providing flexibility to
the deliverability of the site.  That
would allow an end user to have the option to implement the full
planning permission or submit reserved matters.
 
The Chair welcomed the commitment
of the applicant to achieve 25% local resident employment of the
planned workforce during the construction and occupation phase of
the development, as well as the significant financial contributions
as part of the S106 Agreement.  In that
respect, Members sought clarification as to how the funding of more
than £300,000 would be used towards proposed Public Realm
enhancements.  The SDMO explained that
it would be focused on securing improvements in and around Dagenham
Dock station and Chequers Lane, the precise nature of which would
be discussed and agreed through an appointed Steering Group, and
would be subject to appropriate consultations with ward
councillors. 
 
Officers concluded that the proposed
development would continue to promote employment opportunities
within the borough and safeguard the vitality and viability of SIL
sites through the provision of industrial floor space. Whilst it
was accepted that the flexibility could result in a smaller
building being brought forward, given it would enable the
deliverability of an industrial building on a vacant brownfield
site, on balance it was considered that in principle the proposal
would be acceptable.
 
The maximum parameters of the scheme were
aligned with the mass and bulk of the proposal under application
21/00023/FULL. Consequently, officers did not consider the design
of the proposal would have a greater impact on the character and
appearance of the area than the existing planning consent.
Conditions would require full assessments based on the final
detailed design to be submitted with the reserved matters.
Likewise, a full package of S106 obligations including significant
transport contributions had been secured to mitigate the maximum
impact of the development.
 
Taking into consideration the points raised
and subject to the imposition of conditions and obligations, it was
considered that the benefits arising from the scheme would outweigh
any significant harm, and therefore the proposal was considered
acceptable and in keeping with the development
policies. 
 
The Committee resolved
to:
 
(i)  Agree
the reasons for approval as set out in the report,
 
(ii)  Delegate
authority to the Strategic Director of Inclusive Growth in
consultation with the Head of Legal Services to grant planning
permission subject to any direction from the Mayor of London and
the completion of a legal agreement under s106 of the Town and
Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended) based on the Heads of Terms
identified at Appendix 6 and the Conditions listed in Appendix 5 of
the report; and
 
(iii)  That, if by 22
October 2024 the legal agreement has not been completed the
Strategic Director of Inclusive Growth be delegated authority to
refuse planning permission or extend this timeframe to grant
approval.