Agenda item

Provisions of 4 business barges and associated mooring facilities, landscaping and associated parking.  RECOMMENDATION: Grant permission subject to conditions.

Officers presented the report and advised that this application had been deferred at the meeting of the PASC on 28 September 2006 to allow for a further consultation upon the receipt of a Design and Access statement in connection with the application.  The Committee noted that Hale Wharf was located on the River Lee Navigation System and the business barges would be moored on the western side of Hale Wharf on the eastern bank of the River Lea Navigation.  The site was accessible from Ferry Lane. 

The application needed to be assessed against the Blue Ribbon Network Policies in section 4c of the London Plan 2004.  The report detailed that the Lee Valley Regional Park had requested this application should be time limited.  Officers had not acceded to the request.  Members queried why it was not possible to time limit the application and were advised that the barges were for business use.  A new application would be required to change the use of the barges however, the Committee could make this a condition of the application if it was granted.

The committee heard from a representative of the Regents Network and the London Waterways Commission who had tabled a letter sent to the Authority outlining their objections to the application.  The main objection raised was around access to the site which was believed to be insufficient and inaccessible to the disabled and that the application did not meeting the BRN policies, specifically sections 4c, 12 and 19.

The applicant’s representative spoke on behalf of British Waterways London and stated the scheme would re-invigorate this part of the Borough which was largely unexploited and would bring about a revival of the waterways.  A large number of groups and other organisations had been consulted on the proposed application. 

Cllr Oakes entered the meeting at this point in the proceedings

Members discussed the application in detail and queried the size and width of the barges, how much space each barge would take up in the waterway.  Clarification was also provided on the types of businesses which had already expressed an interest in using the barges. 

The Chair moved to a vote to grant the application.  Members voted 6 in favour and 1 abstention.  The application was granted subject to conditions.

INFORMATION RELATING TO APPLICATION REF: HGY/2006/1741

FOR PLANNING APPLICATIONS SUB COMMITTEE DATED 30/10/2006

Location: Hale Wharf, Ferry Lane, N17 9NF

Proposal Provision of 4 x business barges with associated mooring facilities, landscaping and associated parking.

Recommendation

Decision GTD

Drawing No.s WNCAAW-130-102;

186/008; 186/028 & HWCB/P3758/01.

Conditions and/or Reasons

1.        The development hereby authorised must be begun not later than the expiration of 3 years from the date of this permission, failing which the permission  shall be of no effect.

Reason: This condition is imposed by virtue of the provisions of the Planning & Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 and to prevent the accumulation of  unimplemented planning permissions.

2.        The development hereby authorised shall be carried out in complete accordance with the plans and specifications submitted to, and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

Reason: In order to ensure  the development is carried out in accordance with the approved details and in the interests of amenity.

3.         External artificial lighting as part of the development shall be directed away from the River Lee Navigation and shall be focused with cowlings.

Reason: To minimise light spill from the new development into the watercourse or adjacent river corridor habitat. Artificial lighting disrupts the natural diurnal rhythms of a range of wildlife using and inhabiting the river and its corridor habitat.

4.         There shall be no permanent storage of materials related to the development within five metres of the River Lea Navigation along the entire length of the site. This area must be suitably marked and protected during development.

Reason: To reduce the impact of the proposed development on the river buffer zone and the movement of wildlife along the river corridor.

5.         Before development commences, an ecological enhancement plan, including long term design objectives, management responsibilities and maintenance schedules for all enhancement areas, shall be submitted to and improved in writing by the Local Planning Authority

Reason: To protect and enhance the natural features and character of the area

6.         All planting carried out as part of the ecological enhancement plan shall be of locally native plant species only, of UK genetic origin.

Reason: Use of locally native plants in landscaping is essential to benefit local wildlife and to help maintain the region's natural balance of flora. Native insects, birds and other animals cannot survive without the food and shelter that native plants provide - introduced plants usually offer little of our native wildlife.

7.         That a detailed scheme for the provision of refuse, waste storage and recycling within the site shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority prior to the commencement of the works. Such a scheme as approved  shall be implemented and permanently retained thereafter to the satisfaction of the Local Planning Authority.

Reason: In order to protect the amenities of the locality.

INFORMATIVE: Under the terms of the Water Resources Act 1991 and the Land Drainage Byelaws 1981, the prior written consent of the Environment Agency is required for any proposed or structures in under, over or within 8 metres of the brink of the River Lee (Navigation) main river. Contact John Thurlow on 01707 632403 for further details.

INFORMATIVE: The new development will require numbering. The applicant should contact the Transportation Group at least six weeks before the development is occupied (tel. 020 8489 5573) to arrange for the allocation of a suitable address.

REASONS FOR APPROVAL

The Council has had regard to the London Plan in particular the Blue Ribbon Network Policies at Section 4C of the London Plan and policies EMP 5, EMP 1, ENV 4, ENV 5 and UD4 of the Unitary Development Plan 2006, and to other material planning considerations. The proposal is substantially in accordance with the London Plan and the Unitary Development Plan for L B Haringey.

Section 106

No