BOW WHARF NEWSFLASH
Dear Friends,
This Wednesday 17th July at 5.30 pm
The Bow Wharf Application returns to the Development Committee
Officers will present reasons for refusal but their recommendation is still to approve this application.
IT REALLY DOES MAKE A DIFFERENCE WHEN THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS CAN SEE THERE ARE NUMEROUS OBJECTORS IN THE PUBLIC GALLERY, SO PLEASE HAVE A SHEET OF A4 WITH "SAVE BOW WHARF" TO HOLD UP AT CRUCIAL MOMENTS.
( Download and print from here)
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A Brief History of the Application So Far
This application for planning permission was reported to Development Committee on 11th April 2013 with an officers’ recommendation for approval. Members did not accept this officer’s recommendation.
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 It was then reported back to committee on 15th May 2013 with a reason for refusal based on Members concerns, relating to the impact on the character and appearance of the conservation area. The Committee resolved to defer the application for officers to consider and investigate the possibility of ensuring the s106 contributions are spent only in Bow West. The Committee changed its mind from refusal to approval subject to legal advice on "ring fencing" 106 money for Bow West. (* Note LBTH Legal advised against setting a "ring fence" precedent)
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Rather than being reported as a deferred item, the application was subsequently re-presented afresh on the agenda at the Development Committee of the 19th of June 2013. The item was freshly presented, because it was a new municipal year, and thus a new Membership of the committee. |
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After consideration of this previous report and the update report, Members resolved not to accept the officers’ recommendation and were minded to refuse planning permission due to concerns over:
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Impacts on the heritage aspects of the site, with emphasis on the height of the proposal;
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Over development of the site, due to the proposed density;
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Lack of s106 contributions, with particular regard given to the health contribution; and
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Lack of affordable housing, in that the scheme failed to achieve 35% affordable housing.
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 Now at Development Committee this Wednesday, 17th July, 2013 5.30 pm Officers will present their reasons for refusal (read them here). If the application is refused the applicant could appeal the decisions and apply for an award of costs against the Council.
Planning Inspectorate guidance on appeals says:
“Planning authorities are not bound to accept the recommendations of their officers. However, if officers’ professional or technical advice is not followed, authorities will need to show reasonable planning grounds for taking a contrary decision and produce relevant evidence on appeal to support the decision in all respects. If they fail to do so, costs may be awarded against the Council’’.
The new committee has the same chairman and more or less the same members as the one that changed its mind to approve the application on 15th May...... |
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So it is not all over yet! Bow Wharf is a treasure to be protected for all Londoners.
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East End Waterway Group
PATRON JIM FITZPATRICK MP POPLAR AND LIMEHOUSE
Local residents, schools, community groups, amenity societies and businesses working with Canal & River Trust, Tower Hamlets Council and others for the protection and beneficial use of the six mile waterway ‘ring’, its historic buildings, structures and habitats.
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