The Strategic Development Committee met to discuss a deferred planning application regarding Thomas More Square and a new planning application for the ArcelorMittal Orbit. The committee voted to approve both applications, subject to conditions and updated obligations.

Here's a breakdown of the key discussion points:

27-29 Thomas More Square, London, E1W 1YW

The committee considered a deferred application, PA/25/00457/NC, for 27-29 Thomas More Square. The application concerned a part change of use to higher and further education, the use of two units for community purposes, and amendments to existing car and cycle parking provision.

The application had been deferred at a previous meeting on 3 September 2024, so that officers could negotiate with the applicant to address the following concerns:

• That the community floor space should be permanent, rather than temporary for three years.
• That the community floor space could be offered to the council to manage, with the council having first right of refusal.

Paul Beckham, Head of Strategic Management, Planning and Building Control, explained that the description of the development had been amended to reflect that the community use would now be a permanent change of use rather than temporary.

Holly, case officer, presented the application, and explained that the applicant had been in advanced discussions with the community space operator Biohub since before the submission of the original planning application. Because of the advanced nature of these talks, the space could not be offered fully to the council once planning permission had been granted. However, the applicant and Biohub had agreed to the following:

• A willingness, secured through the section 106¹ legal agreement, for the community purpose space to be jointly used by the council to host events and invite local people and groups to use the space, as well as to host joint events with Biohub when relevant.
• The space would be offered to the council for first right of refusal to occupy the space from the outset should Biohub not take up the lease.
• The space would be offered to the council on a first right of refusal basis if the proposed tenant subsequently gave notice of their intention not to renew the lease.

The updated strategy would include the developer and tenant using reasonable endeavours to:

• Work with local secondary and primary schools with an objective of working with at least three borough schools in any calendar year.
• Work with a diverse range of local groups and resident groups from St. Catharines and Wapping Ward, as well as neighbouring Shadwell and Whitechapel wards.
• Have the objective of working each year with a minimum of five local charities, third sector organisations, community groups and social enterprises.

Councillor Iqbal Hossain asked for clarification on whether the application was new or a deferred item. He was reminded that he was not present at the last meeting when the item was deferred, but that he could still ask questions.

Councillor Iqbal Hossain said that it was not an absolute guarantee that the community centre would be permanent, and asked for clarification on the two items that caused the deferral. Paul Beckham clarified that the reference to community use said 'temporary for three years' last time, but that this had been removed. He reiterated that there was nothing in legislation or policy that could absolutely require the council to manage the space.

Councillor Shuba Hussein asked if there were actual planning policies around the council running a community centre. Paul Beckham responded that there were development plan policies around the provision of community space, but no explicit policy requirement around who manages that space.

Ian, Principal Lawyer, Planning Legal Service, added that for a Section 106 agreement¹ to be valid, what was being asked for must be necessary to make the development acceptable in planning terms.

The committee voted unanimously to grant planning permission, subject to the updated heads of terms.

ArcelorMittal Orbit, Thornton Street, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London, E20 2AD

The committee considered planning application PA/25/01172 for the ArcelorMittal Orbit, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, for the installation of a launch platform to the existing orbit structure and the construction of a return tower to support a new zip line visitor attraction.

Paul Beckham explained that the application was a cross-boundary planning application, with part of the structure being in Tower Hamlets and part within the London Borough of Newham. The recommendation to the committee was to grant planning permission subject to conditions. He also noted that one of the conditions was to require a visitor operational management plan, which would include reference to a discount scheme for local residents using the facility if permission was granted.

Paul Beckham also recommended an additional condition that removes permitted development rights², to safeguard the open character of the area.

Hannah, planning case officer, presented the application, explaining that the Newham application was going to their committee the following day with an officer's recommendation for approval. She noted that seven letters were sent out for consultation, and no letters of representation were received.

Hannah explained that the site is located on metropolitan open land³, but that the zip line would be an ancillary leisure facility and the return tower structure would not have an impact on the openness of the metropolitan open land. She added that no fencing was proposed to close off the area between the poles and permitted development rights would be removed through a compliance condition relating to the fencing.

Hannah stated that the return tower would comprise three metal pillars, each 1.5 metres in diameter, with a white finish and zip lines and a cable system fixed to the top of the structure. She added that officers considered that the appearance of the structure was in accordance with the surrounding development within the Olympic Park, and that a townscape visual appraisal concluded that the development was appropriate in townscape and visual terms.

Hannah explained that a noise impact assessment concluded that there was no adverse noise impact anticipated from the proposals, and that the applicant had agreed to a condition limiting the operating hours of the zip wire from 9am to 8pm, seven days a week, and to limit the operation frequency to 60 rides per hour and the speed to 60 kilometres per hour.

Councillor Kabir Hussain asked for confirmation that Newham was the only other borough involved, and asked about the discount scheme for local residents. He also asked how confident officers were that measures including CCTV and measures to deter climbing would be incorporated into the design of the return tower.

Paul Beckham responded that the operator had looked at the involved in forests as well as Tower Hamlets, and that the police had suggested boundary treatment, but that this would be at odds with the land use designation.

Councillor Leelu Ahmed asked how much the rides were going to cost, and if Newham were going to keep all the money or share it. Paul Beckham responded that this was not a planning consideration. He added that the operator was proposing a 30% discount for residents living within a certain geographical area of the site, which includes certain postcodes in Tower Hamlets, Newham and Waltham Forest.

Councillor Iqbal Hossain asked why the structure had to move to the boundary of Tower Hamlets and Newham, and if it was because there were not enough visitors. Paul Beckham responded that the route that they were taking would cause the least amount of disturbance and had the most open space.

Councillor Leelu Ahmed said that she would be very happy if the applicant gave a discount for all the residents of Tower Hamlets.

Councillor Kabir Hussain requested that E14 be included in the discount, as well as E3. Paul Beckham responded that the operators had looked at which postcodes were closest to them, and that if they extended it to everybody in Tower Hamlets, they would have to do the same for the other two boroughs, which could create some quite challenging viability problems.

The committee voted unanimously to grant planning permission for the direction of the structure of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in line with agenda item 5.1 and the update report which had the amended planning condition.

Other Business

Ian, Principal Lawyer, Planning Legal Service, updated the committee on the application for the embassy at Royal Mint Court. He explained that the inspector's report had been sent to the secretary of state, who was making the decision, but that the decision had been delayed until 10 December.