The Redbridge Council Planning Committee met on Tuesday 10 January 2023, granting planning permission for a new development in Barkingside and a single-storey extension in Woodford Green. The committee also noted a report on new petitions.

Redevelopment at Builders Yard and Land at Station Approach, Barkingside

The committee granted planning permission for the redevelopment of the Builders Yard and land at Station Approach, Barkingside, Ilford to provide 98 new affordable homes. The development will consist of two five-storey blocks and one four-storey block, along with public realm improvements, landscaping, and car and cycle parking.

A representative from Countryside Partnerships (formerly Vistry Partnerships) spoke in favour of the scheme, describing it as well-designed and noting that it would deliver 100% affordable housing.

The decision to grant planning permission was subject to the satisfactory completion of a legal agreement under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and other relevant legislation. This agreement will secure various obligations, including:

• Affordable Housing Provision: The scheme must include at least 25% London affordable rent homes, with a specific mix of one, two, and three-bedroom units. Shared ownership costs for residents will be capped at 40% of net household incomes.
• Playspace and Wayfinding: A contribution of £15,000 will be made towards off-site play provision at Fairlop Waters and for wayfinding signs in the local area.
• Employment and Enterprise: The developer is obligated to make reasonable endeavours to ensure 20% of construction phase jobs are for Redbridge residents. If this target is not met, a financial contribution of £4,300 per job not provided will be payable. Additionally, the scheme will provide one construction apprenticeship for every £3 million of build cost, with a support fee for each apprentice. Training and skills costs will also be funded, with £2,750 for every £1 million of construction cost. The developer must also work with the Council's jobs brokerage service, Work Redbridge.
• Transport: A car club will be provided with parking spaces in a public area, and car/van club membership for three years will be offered for each home where requested. Future occupiers will be restricted from applying for parking permits in nearby Controlled Parking Zones (CPZs), except for Blue Badge holders. A Green Travel Plan for residents and monitoring of this plan will be implemented. A contribution of £23,000 is allocated for CPZ consultation and potential extension.
• Carbon Offset Fund: A carbon reduction target is set, with any shortfall in CO2 reduction to be charged at £95 per tonne annually for 30 years, capped at £86,788.
• Energy Use: Energy performance will be monitored and reported on within 12 months of completion.
• Epping Forest Special Area of Conservation: A payment of £255.84 per home, totalling £25,072, will be made to contribute to the SAC.
• Health: A contribution of £63,593 will be made to the NHS for primary care capital costs.
• Monitoring Fees: Fees for monitoring the Section 106 agreement will be calculated based on a percentage of financial amounts and a fixed fee for non-financial heads of terms.

The permission is granted subject to numerous conditions, including requirements for a Construction Management and Logistics Plan, a Construction Environmental Management Plan, and detailed plans for landscaping, materials, electric vehicle charging points, and waste management. Specific conditions address land contamination, noise attenuation, and the provision of wildlife habitats. The development must also comply with Building Regulations, including M4 Category 3 for wheelchair user dwellings and M4 Category 2 for accessible and adaptable dwellings. A fire engineering report and a Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) strategy are also required. The development must also be designed to meet a water consumption target of 105 litres per person per day.

The permission has a time limit of three years for the development to commence.

4, Links Road, Woodford Green

Planning permission was granted for a single-storey rear and side extension at 4, Links Road, Woodford Green, IG8 0SS. The decision was subject to conditions, including that the development must begin within three years and be carried out in strict accordance with the approved plans. The materials used for the external surfaces must match those of the existing building unless otherwise agreed. A condition was also imposed requiring the first-floor bathroom window to remain obscurely glazed and non-opening unless the opening parts are more than 1.7 metres above the floor.

New Petitions

The committee noted the report on new petitions.