The Planning Committee of Barking and Dagenham Council was scheduled to discuss a planning application for Bryson House, 131 Church Elm Lane, Dagenham, concerning a Section 73 application to vary conditions. The committee was also due to review the Planning Performance Review Sub-Committee.

Bryson House, 131 Church Elm Lane, Dagenham - Section 73 Application

The meeting was scheduled to consider a Section 73 application for Bryson House, located at 131 Church Elm Lane, Dagenham. This type of application allows for minor material amendments to existing planning permissions. The proposal sought to vary numerous conditions attached to a previous planning consent (19/00865/FUL) to allow for several changes.

These proposed amendments included:

• An increase in the number of residential units from 75 to 91.
• An increase in the provision of affordable housing, with at least 32 units (35%) and 106 habitable rooms (40%) to be provided. All affordable housing would be at London Affordable Rent.
• A change in the ground floor use from flexible B1/D1 uses to two Class E units and one Class F2 community unit.
• Reconfiguration of the site and internal layout changes, including the provision of an additional core to comply with updated fire regulations.
• Redesign of the playspace and landscaping.
• Relocation of balconies and changes to materiality.
• A reduction in car parking provision, with all remaining spaces to be installed with active electric vehicle charging points.
• An increase in the duration of free car club membership for residents from 24 to 36 months.
• A financial contribution of £95,000 towards improvements at Old Dagenham Park.
• Securing a 10-year peppercorn rent and assistance with fit-out for the community unit.
• Relocation of communal bins outside the site at the owner's expense.

The report indicated that the principle of development was established under the previous consent, and the proposed amendments were considered to offer significant improvements, particularly in terms of increased affordable housing and family-sized units. The application was assessed against national and local planning policies, including the London Plan¹ and the emerging draft Local Plan².

Planning Performance Review Sub-Committee

The committee was also scheduled to discuss the establishment of a Planning Performance Review Sub-Committee. In accordance with the Council's Constitution, this sub-committee is required to be appointed annually. Its role would be to review a random sample of delegated decisions on planning applications, examine planning appeal performance, and scrutinise overturned decisions. The committee was asked to select three members to sit on this sub-committee, which was expected to convene in April 2024.