The Planning Applications Sub-Committee of the City of London Council met on Wednesday 30 September 2026 to discuss a range of planning applications. The committee approved a Section 73 application for Friary Court, 65 Crutched Friars, which sought to amend an existing planning permission for student accommodation and museum use. The committee also noted reports on valid planning applications received and delegated decisions made by officers.

Friary Court, 65 Crutched Friars, London, EC3N 2AE

The committee granted planning permission for amendments to the approved development at Friary Court, 65 Crutched Friars. The application, made under Section 73 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, sought to vary conditions related to cycle parking, museum use floorspace, and approved drawings.

Key changes approved include:

• Increase in Student Accommodation: An additional 33 student rooms would be provided at Level 2, increasing the total from 782 to 815 rooms. Of these, 12 would be affordable student accommodation, exceeding the 35% requirement.
• Reconfiguration of Museum Space: The Migration Museum's accommodation would be consolidated from three floors to two (ground and first floor), with the second floor reallocated to student accommodation and amenity space. The museum would retain its core public functions, and the Migration Museum supports this revised arrangement, believing it enhances deliverability and long-term sustainability.
• Reduction in Cycle Parking: Long-stay cycle parking would be reduced from 587 to 423 spaces, based on evidence of low utilisation at comparable developments. However, 44 conventional pedal cycles would be provided for students to hire free of charge, and the overall provision would still exceed likely demand.
• Introduction of External Plant: New mechanical plant would be installed at Level 3, screened by a freestanding living wall, ensuring the development maintains its Urban Greening Factor of 0.4.

Officers considered these amendments acceptable, noting that they would be contained within the approved building envelope and would not increase the height or massing. The increase in student accommodation was deemed to contribute to housing needs, while the revised museum layout, supported by the intended operator, would still provide a significant cultural facility. Impacts on highways, transport, amenity, design, heritage, and sustainability were considered acceptable.

The decision was made subject to the execution of a planning obligation and the negotiation and execution of a deed of variation to the Section 106 agreement.

Valid Planning Applications Received by the Environment Department

The committee received a list of valid planning applications received by the Environment Department since the previous meeting. These were noted for information.

Quarterly Planning Performance Report – Q1 2026/76

A report detailing the quarterly planning performance for Q1 2026/27 was presented. The statistics showed that the council met or exceeded government targets for decision-making speed, with 80% of major applications and 94% of minor and other applications determined within statutory or agreed extended times.

Delegated Decisions of the Chief Planning Officer and Development Director

The committee received a list of development and advertisement applications determined under delegated powers since the previous meeting. This included 69 full applications for development that were approved, with none refused.

Questions on Matters Relating to the Work of the Sub-Committee

A Member raised concerns about ongoing issues with office lighting at 150 Aldersgate Street, noting that these had contributed to the development of a Lighting Strategy five years prior, which had not yet been fully adopted or implemented. The Chair acknowledged the point and agreed it would be taken forward as an action.

The meeting concluded at 10:48 am.