The Planning Committee of Barking and Dagenham Council was scheduled to discuss three planning applications, all of which involved variations to existing permissions. These included proposed changes to the White Horse public house in Chadwell Heath, redevelopment at The Croft in Chadwell Heath, and amendments to a development at 3 Gallions Close in Barking.

White Horse, High Road, Chadwell Heath

The committee was scheduled to consider a variation application (25/01215/VAR) concerning the White Horse public house on High Road, Chadwell Heath. The proposal involved the demolition of existing buildings and the construction of 104 new residential dwellings (Use Class C3) alongside flexible commercial/community space (Use Classes E/F1/F2) on the ground floor. This would involve the removal of the previously approved replacement public house and associated basement structures. The application also sought minor amendments to various conditions attached to the original planning permission, including changes to external materials, balconies, and the removal of a basement sprinkler tank. The report indicated that the applicant had marketed the public house element for over two years without interest from an operator and had been unable to find a development partner willing to build a scheme that included a public house.

The Croft, Collier Row Road, Chadwell Heath, Romford

A planning application (25/00037/FULL) for The Croft on Collier Row Road, Chadwell Heath, was scheduled for discussion. The proposal was for the development of 15 new residential dwellings, comprising 13 houses and 2 flats. The scheme included associated parking, access, play space, and amenity areas with hard and soft landscaping. The site was noted to be within the Green Belt, and the application sought to rely on the exception for limited infilling or the partial or complete redevelopment of previously developed land as defined in the NPPF. The proposal included a financial contribution of £200,000 towards affordable housing provision, despite no on-site affordable housing being proposed, due to viability assessments indicating a deficit. The development also aimed to provide a high number of family-sized homes.

3 Gallions Close, Barking

The committee was also scheduled to review a Section 73 application (25/01105/VAR) for 3 Gallions Close, Barking. This application sought to vary several conditions of an existing planning permission (21/01180/FULL) to allow for amendments to the building massing, an increase in the number of residential units from 233 to 262, and an increase in affordable housing provision from 23% to a minimum of 35% Social Rent units. The proposal also included changes to the ground floor arrangement, the removal of a podium level, and the provision of additional commercial units, a nursery, and a community space. The applicant, Major Housing Association, indicated that the changes were necessary to align with current fire regulations and improve buildability, while also increasing the provision of affordable housing. The proposal also included amendments to the energy strategy, moving from a communal heating system to an interim solution of individual air source heat pumps, with provisions for future connection to a district heat network.