The Redbridge Planning Committee met on Wednesday, 1 May 2024, to discuss and decide on several planning applications. The committee granted planning permission and listed building consent for extensions to The Prince Regent Hotel in Woodford Green, and also approved a new sports pavilion at Bradwell Close, South Woodford.

The Prince Regent Hotel, Woodford Green

The committee granted planning permission and listed building consent for a two-storey extension to The Prince Regent Hotel¹ in Manor Road, Woodford Green, IG8 8AE. The extension will provide 40 additional hotel bedrooms and involve internal refurbishment of the ground floor.

The decision was made subject to a number of conditions and a Section 106 agreement. The agreement includes a cash contribution of £47,629 for carbon offsetting, payable before the new bedrooms are used. Additionally, £10,000 will be paid upon commencement of development for a review of on-street parking controls in the vicinity, with a further conditional payment of up to £20,000 to implement any necessary changes, dependent on consultation findings. A monitoring fee of £2,881.45 is also required upon completion of the legal agreement.

The committee noted that the development would cause less than substantial harm to the heritage assets on the site, including Gwynne House and the stables east of Gwynne House (both Grade II listed buildings), and the locally listed Former Chapel of the Good Shepard. This harm was deemed to be outweighed by the public benefits of increased hotel capacity and the proposed internal heritage enhancements to Gwynne House. The development was considered to be in accordance with the Redbridge Local Plan² and the London Plan³.

Concerns were raised by local residents regarding inadequate parking, potential impact on highway safety due to displaced parking, and the effect on the character of the listed buildings and conservation area. Objectors also cited potential noise and disturbance from increased capacity and existing events. While acknowledging these concerns, the committee's report stated that the proposed extensions would have a minimal impact on the wider character of the Woodford Bridge Conservation Area due to limited visibility from outside the site. The report also noted that noise from events falls outside the scope of the planning application, but that conditions would be imposed to manage noise from new plant machinery.

The committee also approved a separate application for Listed Building Consent for the same development at The Prince Regent Hotel.

Bradwell Close Sports Ground, South Woodford

A new two-storey sports pavilion with associated landscaping, parking, and fencing works at Bradwell Close Sports Ground, Bradwell Close, South Woodford, London was also approved.

The committee agreed to an additional condition to prevent car parking except for people with disabilities, aiming to ensure no significant impact on highway and pedestrian safety. Operational hours for the building, to be used as an F2(b) community hub, were restricted to Monday to Friday from 07:30 to 18:00, and Saturday, Sunday, and Bank Holidays from 08:00 to 18:00, to protect the amenities of adjoining properties. An additional informative was added stating that the community use condition would require sign-off by the Chair of the Planning Committee.

Whitehall Road, Woodford Green

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 25 March 2024 were noted and agreed. During that meeting, permission was granted for the demolition of outbuildings and the erection of two three-bedroom houses with associated landscaping, amenity space, car parking, and cycle and refuse storage at 185 to 191, Whitehall Road, Woodford Green. Amendments were made to conditions regarding obscure glazing for first-floor windows, waste and recycling bin collection areas, and additional planting on the boundary with 183 Whitehall Road.

Westrow Gardens, Seven Kings

Permission was granted for a detached rear garage and the formation of a means of access to a highway at 31, Westrow Gardens, Seven Kings, Ilford, IG3 9NE. A condition was added to ensure the removal or alteration of the nearest section of the fence to provide suitable visibility splays for traffic safety.