The Strategic Development Committee of Newham Council met on Tuesday 15 October 2024, approving a significant data centre development in Canning Town and granting extensions for temporary classroom buildings at Newham Sixth Form College. The committee also approved a change of use for a building in Beckton to educational floorspace.

Land at Former EMR Site, Bidder Street, Canning Town, London E16 4ST

The committee approved the erection of a data centre at the former EMR site in Bidder Street, Canning Town. The development will comprise a Data Centre Building, a Plant Building, and an Energy Centre, with associated landscaping, access, car and cycle parking, and servicing areas. The application was accompanied by an Environmental Statement, and the recommendation for approval was made subject to referral to the Mayor of London (GLA) as a Stage 2 referral. If the GLA agrees, authority will be delegated to the Director of Planning and Development to grant planning permission, subject to the completion of a legal agreement under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

The decision to approve was based on the significant public benefits offered, including substantial financial contributions towards the Council's Data Education Programme (£4.08 million) and Digital Connectivity Strategy (£1.625 million). Additionally, there are commitments for employment and skills contributions (£1.224 million), with targets for local construction and end-user jobs, and apprenticeships. The development also includes contributions towards strategic transport infrastructure, such as £1 million for the Mayer Parry Bridge and £520,000 for Canning Town Station improvements. A key benefit highlighted is the commitment to explore the reuse of waste heat generated by the data centre to supply local homes and businesses, potentially heating up to 13,000 dwellings. The design quality was considered very good, with enhancements to the public realm, including the completion of the riverside connection.

Despite concerns regarding the height of the buildings (72.3m AOD), which exceeds indicative Local Plan heights, officers were satisfied that the demonstrable public benefits and high quality of architectural design justified the approval. The development also includes conditions to address potential impacts on amenity, air quality, noise, sustainability, ecology, and flood risk.

Newham Sixth Form College, Prince Regent Lane, Plaistow. London E13 8SG

The committee approved applications to extend the temporary permission for two buildings at Newham Sixth Form College. Application 24/01804/VAR sought to vary Condition 1 of planning permission 19/02036/VAR to increase the time limit by three years, expiring on 19 November 2027. Application 24/01805/VAR sought a similar extension for planning permission 19/02044/VAR.

Officers noted that these buildings had been in place for a considerable time, with Block G having a temporary consent since 2009 and the Business Unit since 2014. While the National Planning Policy Guidance advises against multiple back-to-back temporary consents, officers acknowledged the college's current circumstances, including its Ofsted rating downgrade and ongoing merger with Newham College, which made securing funding for permanent redevelopment difficult. A pragmatic approach was taken, reducing the requested five-year extension to three years and securing a letter of intent from the college to enter into a Project Planning Performance Agreement (PPPA) to work towards a permanent solution. This balanced approach was considered to provide the greatest flexibility while ensuring the planning process was not undermined.

An objection was received from a neighbour citing concerns about overlooking from students using the fire escape, antisocial behaviour, inadequate maintenance of trees, and issues with the alarm system. Officers noted these concerns and agreed to discuss them with ward councillors, encouraging the college to address them.

Altitude 14 Lascars Avenue Beckton, London E16 2YP

The committee approved an application for a flexible change of use of the existing building to enable use as Education (Use Class F.1) floorspace, with retained use of the two ground floor units as mixed use/retail (Use Class E). The proposal also includes associated works for short-stay cycle parking, electric vehicle and disabled parking provision.

The decision was supported by the site's strategic designation as part of Strategic Site 31 (Royal Albert North) and the Royal Docks Enterprise Zone, which encourages business and education uses. The change of use aligns with the masterplan for the area, which includes the recently approved student accommodation nearby, creating a potential educational campus environment. The retention of Class E retail units on the ground floor was also considered acceptable, catering to a localised need and supporting the surrounding area. The proposal was deemed to make good use of the existing building without significant alterations and was considered acceptable in terms of design, amenity, transport, and sustainability. A Section 106 agreement was required, including contributions towards travel plan measures and car parking restrictions.

The meeting also included the suspension of Rule 11 of Part 4.1 of the Council's Constitution to extend the meeting time. An announcement was made regarding a report on the delegation of planning powers from the London Legacy Development Corporation to the London Borough of Newham, to be considered at Full Council on 22 July 2024.