The committee voted to approve a non-material amendment to the existing planning permission for the redevelopment of the former Holloway Prison site. The amendment allows Peabody Construction Limited to install a second staircase in two blocks of flats that are over 30 metres tall.

Fire Safety

Peabody Construction Limited told the committee that it had chosen to install the second staircase in blocks C1 and C2 for fire safety reasons. This is despite the fact that current Building Regulations do not require a second staircase in buildings under 30 metres. However, new regulations that will come into force later this year will require all residential buildings over 18 metres tall to have a second staircase.

Peabody Construction Limited said that they were keen to install the staircases now so as to avoid delaying the project later.

“We simply thought this was the right thing to do... this did put us in delay, as you were saying, we didn't have to do this, but we just felt it was the right thing to do for the scheme.”

A fire safety expert hired by Islington Council, MSC, checked Peabody's plans and confirmed that they would meet the requirements of the new regulations.

The London Fire Brigade made no comment on the application.

Loss of Social Housing

Several objectors and Councillors expressed concern that the installation of the second staircase would lead to a reduction in the number of family-sized and wheelchair-accessible flats being provided in the development.

Peabody Construction Limited said that there would be no reduction in the total number of flats built. However, the installation of the second staircase would mean that some flats would have to be made smaller. They said that the plans included a reduction of 36 two-bedroom flats suitable for four people and a reduction of 16 three-bedroom flats suitable for five people.

Peabody Construction Limited told the committee that they would try to recover the lost bedrooms in later phases of the development.

“I'm very happy to offer that commitment now to recover those large space and wheelchair homes in phases two and three.”

At the request of Councillor Diarmaid Ward, Peabody agreed to provide a written undertaking confirming this commitment.

Women's Building

Objectors raised concerns about whether the non-material amendment would reduce the size of the Women's Building, which will be a community centre for women and girls.

Nicholas Linford, the planning officer, reassured the committee that the Women’s Building would be built as originally planned, and the floor space would actually increase slightly.

Cycle Storage

The Access Officer raised concerns about a reduction in cycle storage space, particularly a reduction in the number of spaces designed to be accessible to disabled people.

Peabody Construction Limited told the committee that they would try to recover the lost cycle spaces in other parts of the development. Nicholas Linford confirmed that the council's planning officers had the power to require Peabody to provide the lost cycle parking spaces in later phases.

Daylight and Sunlight

Objectors raised concerns that the changes would result in some flats not getting enough daylight.

Peabody Construction Limited submitted a daylight and sunlight assessment with the application. The assessment showed that the proposed amendments would result in a small increase in the number of flats that meet the required levels of daylight.

Consultation

Some objectors complained that they had not been given enough time to respond to the consultation on the application.

The Chair of the Committee, Councillor Martin Klute, confirmed that the council was not legally required to consult with residents about non-material amendments.

Decision

The committee voted to approve the non-material amendment.