The officers issued their 'Stage III' report (80-page / 552KB PDF) on the proposals ahead of a representation hearing to be held at City Hall on 19 November where Mayor Boris Johnson will make a decision on the proposals.
The officers said that the scheme would make a "significant" contribution to the provision of housing, including affordable housing, in the Elephant and Castle Opportunity Area and "maximise the opportunity to enhance the public realm" on the site through the creation of a new University Square.
Nightclub Ministry of Sound, which is located opposite Eileen House, has long been opposed to the proposals because it says noise complaints from the future residents would be likely to result in the club losing its licence and forcing it to close. Last week the club wrote an open letter to Johnson asking for a guarantee to ensure it will be able to continue to make the same level of noise as it does currently.
The officers said in the report that they did not consider that there was any need for such an agreement. "Taking into account the mitigation measures which have been introduced into the design of the proposal and conditions proposed, the likely effects on the nightclub’s operation will not be such as to give rise to any adverse impacts," the report said.
The officers said that Oakmayne had responded to the objections from Ministry of Sound relating to the risk of noise disturbing future residential occupiers by amending the design to incorporate acoustic glazing, sealed windows and wintergardens.
