Agenda item

Planning application reference: 20/AP/0039

Report: see pages 101 to 190 of the agenda pack and pages 2 to 5 of the addendum report.

PROPOSAL

Demolition of the existing building and erection of a new mixed use building of up to 15 storeys (plus lower ground and basement) (51.525m AOD) to provide a Halls of Residence for the London School of Economics and Political Science consisting of 676 student rooms, replacement commercial floor space of 2,375sqm consisting of 1190sqm of B1c, and 1,185sqm of flexible B1c/D1/A3 Use as a Creative Commercial Centre that includes University related community uses, a community café; and new areas of public realm. This application represents a departure from strategic policy 10 'Jobs and Businesses' of the Core Strategy (2011) and Saved Policy 1.2 'Strategic and Local Preferred Industrial Locations' of the Southwark Plan (2007) by virtue of proposing to introduce residential accommodation in a preferred

industrial location.

The committee heard the officer’s introduction to the report and addendum report.

The planning officer stated that the application needs to be referred to the Mayor of London.

The planning officer also stated that paragraph 189 of the report should be amended to remove any reference to hotel as that is not a commercial use for this application.

Councillors asked questions of the officers.

There were no objectors present.

The applicants and their agent addressed the committee and answered questions posed by the committee.

There were no supporters who lived within 100 metres of the development site who wished to speak.

Councillor Richard Livingstone addressed the committee in his capacity as ward councillor. There were no questions posed by the committee.

The committee put further questions to officers and discussed the application.

A motion to grant planning permission was moved, seconded put to the vote and declared carried.

RESOLVED:

1.  That the planning committee grant planning permission, subject to amended conditions and referral to the Mayor Of London and theapplicant entering into an appropriate legal agreement.

2.  In the event that the Section 106 Legal Agreement is not completed by 25 January 2021, that the director of planning be authorised to refuse planning permission, if appropriate, for the reasons set out in paragraph 268 of the report.

Amended planning obligations –

In response to comments from the committee during the meeting about paragraph 18 of the addendum report and the ring-fencing of a contribution of £96,965 for landscaping the public highway on Bianca Road, the applicant agreed to make an additional financial contribution of £100,000 to be spent on open spaces in the vicinity of the development.

The meeting ended at 1.15pm