The Local Development Committee was scheduled to meet to discuss a planning application and the minutes of the previous meeting. The committee was also expected to note the advice from the Head of Legal Services regarding planning applications.

Here's a breakdown of the key items on the agenda:

Planning Application: 63 Rowntree Clifford Close

The committee was scheduled to consider a planning application for 63 Rowntree Clifford Close, Plaistow. Ms Christina Baby, the applicant, sought permission for a change of use from an office (Use Class E(g)(i) to temporary accommodation (Use Class Sui Generis¹) with ancillary supported services. The proposal also included a loft conversion, a rear dormer roof extension, a part one/part two-storey side extension, and a single-storey front extension. The developer for this project is Just Homes Charity, a registered housing provider that manages similar properties within the borough.

The officer recommendation was to approve the application, subject to conditions. These included a statutory time limit, adherence to approved drawings and documents, a demolition and construction logistics plan, control of dust, emissions and noise, materials, and obscure glazing.

Key issues that were expected to be discussed included:

• The principle of the development, including the loss of commercial use and the suitability of the proposed temporary accommodation.
• The quality of the accommodation, including occupation levels, room sizes, communal areas, and accessibility.
• Urban design and place making, including the ground floor conversion and extension, roof extension and rear dormer, fenestration and materiality, and Secured by Design principles.
• Impacts on neighbouring amenity, including daylight and sunlight, privacy, sense of enclosure and outlook, noise and disturbance, and construction.
• Sustainable transport, including car parking and cycle parking.
• Waste management.
• Delivering sustainable development, including air quality and biodiversity.
• Archaeology.
• Habitat Regulation Assessment for Epping Forest Special Area of Conservation (SAC).

The committee was expected to consider the views of internal consultees such as LBN Environmental Health, LBN Waste Management, LBN Social Services, and LBN Transportation, as well as external consultees such as the Designing Out Crime Officer from the Metropolitan Police Service and Historic England Greater London Archaeology Advisory Service (GLAAS).

Three letters of support were received from Stephen Timms MP, Uma Kumaran MP, and James Asser MP.

Other items

The committee was also scheduled to confirm and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 23 June 2025.