The Planning Committee of Redbridge Council met on Monday 26 February 2024 to discuss two significant development applications. The committee approved plans for a new residential care home at Findlay House in Woodford Green and granted conditional approval for the demolition of an existing building and the construction of a new two-storey residential block at 64 Castleton Road, Goodmayes.

Development at 64 Castleton Road, Goodmayes, Ilford

The committee approved the demolition of the existing building at 64 Castleton Road, Goodmayes, Ilford, and the erection of a two-storey building to create eight residential units. The decision was made subject to a list of conditions, including requirements for a construction and logistics plan, dust suppression measures, and detailed specifications for materials, walls, fences, noise insulation, and cycle parking. The approval also mandates the reduction in width of an existing vehicular crossover on Castleton Road and the submission of a comprehensive landscaping scheme. Future occupiers will be excluded from local car parking permit schemes.

The application was called in by the Chair of the Planning Committee and the Operational Director of Planning and Building Control due to its strategic importance. Despite objections from five local residents concerning increased parking stress, insufficient off-street parking, and the loss of a nursery, the committee found the proposal acceptable. The loss of the nursery was deemed acceptable as evidence from Family Information Services indicated sufficient capacity in the Goodmayes ward, despite a borough-wide concern in South Ilford. The design was considered to be of an appropriate scale and character, respecting the local street scene, and the quality of accommodation for future residents was deemed satisfactory, meeting national and London Plan space standards.

Development at Findlay House, 7 Manor Road, Woodford Green

The committee approved the demolition of existing buildings at Findlay House, 7 Manor Road, Woodford Green, and the construction of a new 110-bedroom residential care home. This decision was subject to a Section 106 legal agreement and a comprehensive list of planning conditions. The Section 106 agreement includes provisions for employment, skills, and training, local procurement, carbon offsetting, and monitoring fees.

The application was called in due to its strategic importance. While there were nine objections from local residents concerning design, heritage impact, and noise, and seven letters of support, the committee found the proposal acceptable. The care home was deemed to meet a demonstrable local need, contributing significantly to the borough's housing delivery targets. The design was considered to be of good quality, although less than substantial harm was identified to the Woodford Bridge Conservation Area, the Grade II listed Church of St Paul's, and the locally listed Crown and Crooked Billet Public House. This harm was weighed against the public benefits of the care home, including job creation and economic contributions. The development was found to have no unacceptable impacts on neighbouring amenities, transport networks, or the environment, with conditions and obligations in place to mitigate potential issues.

The approval includes detailed conditions covering time limits, adherence to approved plans, demolition and construction management plans, land contamination, sound insulation, bat mitigation, facing materials, detailed design, electric vehicle charging points, archaeological investigations, and landscaping. Prior to occupation, conditions include acoustic commissioning testing, secure by design accreditation, landscape and ecological management plans, travel plans, and the finalisation of drainage schemes. Compliance conditions address noise emissions, digital connectivity, and boiler specifications. Informatives were also attached regarding secure by design advice, waste carrier requirements, noise mitigation, archaeological investigations, and Thames Water requirements.

The committee also noted a petition received regarding a development at Shepherd House, 143 Shepherds Close, Chadwell Heath, Romford.