The Planning Sub-Committee of Hackney Council met on Wednesday 09 October 2024, approving three planning applications for developments at 1 Gainsborough Studios Poole Street, 78-94 and 79-95 Watermint Quay, and 201-207 Shoreditch High Street and 1 Fairchild Street. The committee also approved the minutes of the previous meeting and noted the delegated decisions made between 22 August and 26 September 2024.

1 Gainsborough Studios Poole Street, London, N1 5ED

Planning permission was granted for the installation of two long boat moorings for residential use at 1 Gainsborough Studios Poole Street. The decision was made subject to conditions and the completion of a legal agreement. The proposal was referred to the committee due to a substantial number of objections received.

The moorings will be accessed via a floating timber-decked pontoon walkway, positioned below the existing bulkhead and decking of the adjacent Gainsborough Studios development. This arrangement means the moorings will sit lower than the neighbouring properties, mitigating concerns about overlooking and loss of privacy. The proposal was considered to preserve and enhance the character of the Regent's Canal Conservation Area, with the presence of canal boats being a traditional feature. Floating reed beds are also to be installed to enhance biodiversity.

Concerns raised by objectors regarding noise, pollution from wood burners, and impact on the canal bed were addressed. It was noted that any issues related to wood burners would be a civil matter or referable to Environmental Health, while the Canal and River Trust would oversee issues related to substances affecting the canal. A condition was included to ensure a detailed survey of the canal bed and a method statement for installation to protect the canal's structural integrity.

The development will be car-free, with a legal agreement to secure this and ensure provision for cycle parking and waste management. The moorings are considered to have a low environmental impact compared to traditional housing, aligning with sustainability policies.

78-94 and 79-95 Watermint Quay, London, N16 6DN

Planning permission was granted for roof extensions at 78-94 and 79-95 Watermint Quay to accommodate four additional dwellings. The decision was subject to conditions and the completion of a legal agreement.

The proposal involves adding a storey to two existing buildings, creating four new flats. The design aims to complement the existing postmodern architecture of the Watermint Quay development. The new dwellings will have private balconies, and the development includes provision for cycle storage and waste management.

Concerns were raised by residents regarding the scale and appearance of the extensions, potential loss of privacy, overshadowing, noise, and construction impacts. The council's officers assessed these concerns, concluding that the design was acceptable and would not have a significant adverse impact on neighbouring amenity. The development is proposed to be car-free, with contributions towards affordable housing and carbon offsetting secured through a legal agreement. Swift nesting bricks will be installed to enhance biodiversity.

201-207 Shoreditch High Street and 1 Fairchild Street, Hackney, London, E1 6LG

Planning permission was granted for the erection of a part 27-storey (125m), part 7-storey, and part 6-storey building, with two basement levels. The development will provide office and retail floorspace, along with landscaping, cycle parking, and ancillary facilities. The decision was made subject to conditions and the completion of a legal agreement under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

The development is office-led, with retail on the ground floor, and includes provision for affordable workspace and employment training contributions. The design of the building, particularly the 27-storey tower, was a significant consideration, with revisions made to slim its appearance and improve its integration with the South Shoreditch Conservation Area. While acknowledging that the scale and bulk of the tower would cause less than substantial harm to the conservation area and nearby heritage assets, the committee weighed this against the public benefits of new office space, affordable workspace, and public realm improvements.

Concerns regarding daylight and sunlight impacts on neighbouring properties were assessed, with officers concluding that the impacts were acceptable for an inner London location. The proposal is car-free, with significant contributions towards transport infrastructure, including cycle parking and public realm works. Sustainability measures are a key feature, with conditions requiring detailed energy statements, embodied carbon targets, and circular economy principles. The development also includes measures to address biodiversity and fire safety.

Minutes of the Previous Meeting

The minutes of the previous Planning Sub-Committee meeting, held on 4 September 2024, were agreed as an accurate record of the proceedings.

Delegated Decisions

The committee noted the delegated decisions document, which covers planning decisions made between 22 August and 26 September 2024. This document lists numerous individual planning applications that were determined by council officers under delegated authority.