The Local Development Committee of Newham Council met on Wednesday 24 June 2026 to consider two planning applications. The meeting's agenda included discussions on the change of use of a former public house to an adult gaming centre and a proposal for flexible use classes at a warehouse.

Denmark Arms, 381 Barking Road, East Ham

The committee was scheduled to discuss a proposal for the change of use of the ground floor of the vacant former public house, The Denmark Arms, to an Adult Gaming Centre (AGC). This site is located within the East Ham Town Centre Conservation Area and is a Grade II Listed Building, also affecting the settings of other Grade II Listed Buildings. The report pack indicated a recommendation for refusal of this application.

The report detailed several reasons for the recommended refusal. These included concerns about piecemeal development that fails to maximise the site's capacity, the loss of a community facility (the public house) without sufficient evidence of its inability to continue operating, and the potential for an overconcentration of gambling uses within East Ham Major Centre. Furthermore, issues were raised regarding urban design and conservation, with the application failing to demonstrate that it would preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the listed building. Concerns were also noted about the impact on neighbouring amenity due to the proposed 24-hour operation and potential for increased noise and disturbance, as well as public safety, with a lack of demonstrated measures to design out crime.

5 North Crescent, Canning Town, London E16 4TG

The committee was also scheduled to consider a change of use application for 5 North Crescent, Canning Town. The proposal sought to change the use of the site to flexible use classes B2/B8/E(g)(ii)/E(g)(iii). The report pack indicated a recommendation for approval for this application.

The report highlighted that the site is a warehouse currently used for general industrial (Class B2) and storage and distribution (Class B8) purposes. The proposed change would allow for additional flexibility by including research and development of products or processes (Class E(g)(ii)) and industrial processes (Class E(g)(iii)), which can be carried out without detriment to the amenity of a residential area. The report noted that no extensions or alterations to the existing building were proposed. The assessment indicated that the proposal would not adversely impact neighbouring residential occupiers or the operations of neighbouring industrial uses, given the separation distance and the nature of the proposed uses. Considerations regarding sustainable transport, waste management, and delivering sustainable development were also part of the discussion, with the report concluding that the proposal was acceptable subject to appropriate conditions.

The meeting's agenda also included standard procedural items such as apologies, the election of a Deputy Chair, and the confirmation of minutes from the previous meeting held on 9 March 2026. Attendees were also reminded of their obligations regarding declarations of interest in accordance with the Members' Code of Conduct.