“That was a close one” – said Planning Committee Chair
The application was for 114 affordable 2.5 storey houses and blocks of flats on designated open space, Sports ground
Redbridge’s Planning Officer states in his report that this application:
It conflicts with open space and playing pitch protection policies. [1.4 ]
There is a residual conflict with the open space and playing pitch protection policies” [1.9]
Objections
Over 3,500 residents signed a petition against the plan
133 Objections
3 Residents spoke in objection
3 Ward Councillors spoke in objection
The Local MP objected
A full gallery with around 40 residents supported the objectors.
MP Wes Streeting’s points were
‘The Break’.
How often does a Planning Committee meeting hearing an application, run through the planning officers report, Committee Q&A, Objectors speak, Developers speaks and just as it seemed they were going to the debate and vote … no a break is called and the Planning Officer went to speak to the Development Manageer.
From the number of questions asked by committee members they obviously had concerns. What was the 10min break for? No explanation was given.
On return the 3 ward councillors gave their objections.
Next Gavin (Development Manager) advised the committee that lack of consultation is not a material consideration based on a case back in 1971, Stringer v MHLG (Minister of Housing and Local Government).
The ruling: ‘In principle, it seems to me that any consideration which relates to the use and development of land is capable of being a planning consideration. Whether a particular consideration falling within that broad class is material in any given case will depend on the circumstances.’ (Mr Justice Cooke).
There was no explanation of what the specific circumstances were.
Then an explanation on LP35 being out of date having been based on the London Plan 2016 which has been superseded by London Plan 2021. Resulting in the site not being open space as its not accessible by the public.
But in June 2022 Redbridge drafted the Redbridge Local Plan Authority Monitoring Report 2020-21 published Jun 2022. It states: 3.12 There has been no net loss of Sites of importance to Nature Conservation and there has been no net loss of open space during the reporting period.
This report was made Public at the Cabinet Meeting 21 Jun 2022.
Although Planning stated to the Planning Committee that it has been unused as a sports ground for 15yrs (therefore since 2010) with no public access . Perhaps they hadn’t noticed this in June 2023 when they refused a planning application for the site ?
There’s no evidence that the site has been formally De-designated. The Planning Authority should contact the landowners at an early stage to discuss any proposals to de-designate or change the open space designation. Did this happen?
Redbridge have not formally stated that the Local Plan 2015-2030 has been superseded by London Plan 2021, what else this effects and when they are likely to publish a new local plan. Despite this being Open Government: making government operations more transparent, accountable, and accessible to the public, fostering citizen participation and improving public services
The vote took place, 5 for, 4 against, 1 abstained and the Chair said ‘That was a close one’
Link to Planning Committee meeting here