This meeting was about making planning decisions on five separate sites across the borough. It also included the annual report on developer contributions for the 2023/24 financial year.

This summary only refers to what was scheduled to be discussed, as recorded in the meeting agenda pack. It does not include any information on the discussions that took place or any decisions that were made.

Land at Former EMR Site, Bidder Street, Canning Town, London E16 4ST

This application sought permission to erect a data centre, comprising a Data Centre Building of approximately 72.3m, a Plant Building of approximately 72.3m, and an Energy Centre of approximately 32.4m. The site was previously occupied by European Metal Recycling.

The application was accompanied by an Environmental Statement for the purposes of Environmental Impact Assessment under The Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017.

The report pack recommended the application be approved, noting the advice provided by the Design Review Panel, and subject to a referral to the Mayor of London and a Section 106 agreement.

A financial contribution of £11.6m was requested from the applicant, including £4m towards the council's data education programme.

The report pack said that the data centre would:

...be one of the first buildings, housing the sub-station and heat pumps. Network stubs in the street/piles in the ground already installed.

The report pack also noted that

...almost 25% [of the site would be] transformed new high quality public realm areas.

London Design And Engineering University Technical College, 15 University Way, Beckton, London E16 2RD

This application sought permission to erect a new 950sqm, three-storey college building. The application site was said to be affecting the setting of Grade II Listed Buildings: the Central Buffet at Custom House and the Dock Managers Offices.

The report pack recommended that the application be approved.

Barclay Hall, 156B Green Street, Forest Gate, London E7 8JQ

This application sought permission for the demolition of an existing single-storey building and the construction of a four-storey extension to an existing college. The proposal was previously approved by the Strategic Development Committee on 10 April 2018. However, that permission had lapsed.

The report pack recommended that the application be approved, subject to a Section 106 agreement to provide funds towards a Travel Plan and its monitoring.

Gemini Business Park, Hornet Way, Beckton, London E6 7FF

This application sought permission to create a new external hardstanding for flexible use as external storage (Use Class B8¹) and/or the storage of commercial vehicles (Sui Generis²).

The report pack recommended the application be approved.

50A Romford Road, Stratford, London E15 4BZ

This application sought permission to change the use of a building from residential (Use Class C3³) to a GP surgery (Use Class E (e)⁴). It noted that the application was said to be affecting the setting of the University Conservation Area.

The report pack recommended the application be refused on two grounds:

1. The proposal would result in the loss of housing, without the replacement of at least equivalent floor space within the borough which is a specific use the Council is seeking to protect from conversion. The loss of housing would be contrary to the identified need to protect the borough’s existing housing stock as part of creating high quality places, for stable, mixed and balanced communities. This proposal is therefore considered contrary to:
   • The National Planning Policy Framework (DLUHC, December 2023)
   • Policies GG4, H1 and H8 of the London Plan (GLA, March 2021)
   • Policies S1, SP2, SP3, H1 and H4 of the Newham Local Plan (December 2018).
2. The application site is located outside of a designated Town Centre, Local Centre or Community Facilities Opportunity Area. Therefore, the proposed expansion of this community facility at this location undermines the Council’s objectives for concentrating development of community type facilities within those policy supported locations. Furthermore, the proposal has failed to meet the relevant exceptions test for out of centre community facilities or demonstrate the facility would operate as a multifunctional space with fair and affordable access to all members of the community. The proposal is therefore considered contrary to:
   • The National Planning Policy Framework (DLUHC, December 2023)
   • Policies GG1, SD6, SD7, and S1 of the London Plan (GLA, March 2021)
   • Policies S1, INF5 and INF8 of the Newham Local Plan (December 2018).

Developer Contributions Annual Report 2023/24

The report pack contained the Developer Contributions Annual Report for 2023/24, which provided an overview of all developer contributions the council received during the financial year, as well as how those contributions were allocated and spent.

The report included details of CIL⁵ receipts and expenditure, as well as information on the number of affordable homes built and the financial contributions made towards schemes including:

• Our Newham Work, a council scheme to help residents find jobs; and
• the Carbon Offset Fund, a scheme to fund measures to mitigate the environmental impacts of development.

The report pack said the Strategic Development Committee were asked to note the report, as well as an accompanying report on the compliance of London City Airport with the conditions and Section 106 agreement attached to planning permission 13/01228/FUL.