Out-Law News 1 min. read
04 Mar 2013, 5:10 pm
Native Land and the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority (LFEPA) submitted their redevelopment plans in 2010 but the Council refused the planning applications in 2011, despite its planning officers having recommended the scheme for approval.
Under the proposals the Grade II listed building, which is located within the Vauxhall Nine Elms Battersea Opportunity Area (VNEB), would be refurbished and extended to provide a 2,721 square metre fire station. It would also have seven new buildings ranging between five and 15 storeys to provide 265 new homes, offices, shops, restaurants and cafes.
The Council said in its decision notice (3-page / 165 PDF) that the proposed height and width of the redeveloped building would be unacceptably harmful to the special architectural and historic interest and setting of the Grade II listed building.
It said that the development would be harmful to the existing townscape, the special historic and architectural character of the Thames Policy Area and the character and appearance of the Albert Embankment Conservation Area.
The Council also said that the amount of affordable housing proposed would provide an unacceptably low level of affordable housing, which would be in conflict with policies in the London Plan and the Council's Core Strategy.
Native Land and LFEPA said in their statements of case submitted with the appeal that the proposed 8% affordable housing provision was the maximum that could be delivered viably.
The Council said in its statement of case that the proposed amount of affordable housing is "significantly" lower than the amount required in development plan policies and also the amount approved by the Council in recent major developments in the VNEB. The Council said it would argue that such significant departure from planning policy is not justified.
The public inquiry on the appeal was launched on 26 February and will last 12 days. A decision on the appeal is expected later in the year.
