The Planning Committee of Redbridge Council met on Wednesday, 1 May 2024, to discuss and decide on planning applications. The committee granted planning permission and listed building consent for extensions and refurbishments at The Prince Regent Hotel in Woodford Green.

The Prince Regent Hotel, Manor Road, Woodford Green

The committee granted planning permission for a two-storey extension to The Prince Regent Hotel¹ to provide 40 additional bedrooms, along with associated landscaping and internal refurbishment of the ground floor. The decision was made subject to a legal agreement under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990² and other relevant legislation. This agreement includes a cash contribution of £47,629 for carbon offsetting, calculated at £95 per tonne, which is payable before the new bedrooms are used. Additionally, £10,000 will be paid upon commencement of development for a review and revision of on-street parking controls in the vicinity, with a further conditional payment of up to £20,000 to implement any agreed changes, dependent on consultation support. A monitoring fee of £2,881.45, representing 5% of the total cost value, is also to be paid upon completion of the legal agreement.

A comprehensive list of conditions was attached to the planning permission, covering aspects such as a three-year time limit for commencement, adherence to approved plans, and the submission and approval of detailed plans for construction logistics, dust suppression, and archaeological investigations. Specific conditions were also imposed regarding the protection of trees, the use of external materials, biodiversity enhancements, noise mitigation, and landscaping. The development must also incorporate a wildlife-sensitive lighting design scheme and provide adequate cycle parking. A condition was also placed that the vehicular access from Chapelmount Road should only be used for construction and emergency service vehicles, not for general hotel operations. The development is also required to achieve 'Secured by Design' accreditation for each building.

In addition to the planning permission, the committee also granted Listed Building Consent for the same works. This consent is also subject to conditions, including a three-year time limit for commencement and strict adherence to the approved plans and documents.

During the discussion, Councillor Gurdial Bhamra declared a personal interest as the application was in his ward but stated he could determine the application in an unbiased way. Mr Edmunds spoke in favour of the application, while Liz Perry spoke in objection.