The Development Committee voted to grant planning permission for both applications considered during the meeting: the addition of a storey at Compass Point, and the redevelopment of Empson Street Industrial Estate.

Compass Point, 5 Grenade Street, London E14 8HL

The committee considered an application to build a roof extension at Compass Point, a residential block on Grenade Street in Limehouse. The application, submitted by G&O Investments LTD, sought permission to build an additional storey on the building to create six new apartments. The new storey would include three one-bedroom flats, two two-bedroom flats and one three-bedroom flat.

The applicant had agreed to contribute £280,135.99 towards affordable housing in Tower Hamlets as part of the Section 106 legal agreement for the development, and to make the development car-free.

The committee heard objections from three local residents who raised concerns about the lack of consultation on the application, disruption and noise from the construction work, and the impact on waste storage at the site. They also stated that the development would not deliver any affordable housing and would put a strain on local services.

The agent for the applicant, Gaston Brandicchu of GBP Architects, explained to the committee that the design of the extension would use materials that matched the existing building. He also stated that the construction impacts would be mitigated with a detailed Construction Management Plan, and that the refuse storage at the development would be sufficient for the existing and new homes. Mr Brandicchu was unable to answer questions about the length of the construction work, how residents would be affected during the construction, or whether the applicant had consulted with residents.

After further questions and discussion, the committee voted to grant planning permission by four votes to one, with two abstentions.

Empson Street Industrial Estate, Empson Street, E3

The committee considered an application for the redevelopment of Empson Street Industrial Estate in Bromley-by-Bow. The application, submitted by Fabrix London Ltd, proposed to demolish the existing buildings on the 4.7 acre site, which is an SIL¹ and a safeguarded waste site².

The application proposed to build new industrial units, totalling 11,964sqm of GIA³, and to retain, refurbish and repurpose an existing MOT garage on the site.

The development would include 1,198sqm of affordable workspace⁴, let at 12.5% below market rates for at least 15 years. It would also include a Circular Economy Hub⁵, to be operated at no cost to the tenant for at least 10 years, which would meet the site’s safeguarded waste designation of 418 tonnes per year. The applicant proposed to work with the Hackney Wick Fish Island Community Development Trust to manage the Hub. The applicant also agreed to make contributions to the Canal & River Trust, who raised concerns about increased usage of the nearby Limehouse Cut towpath.

The committee heard from Councillor Faroque Ahmed, who was concerned that the single access road to the site, Empson Street, may become congested as a result of the development. In response, Planning Officer Oliver Cassidy-Butler explained that the new development included a new access road that would mitigate the potential for congestion on Empson Street.

Following discussion, the committee voted unanimously to grant planning permission for the application.