Issue - meetings

Redevelopment of southern site at Hackney hospital to provide a primary care resource centre located in a part 2, 3 and 4 storey building to contain 2 GP practices, a community dental facility and primary care function (2239 sqm), plus residential accommodation providing 37 flats (5x1 bed/19 x 2 bed/12 x 3bed/1 x 4 bed) in a 5 storey building with penthouse level together with parking provision for 18 cars and 80 cycle spaces.

(Councillor Desmond arrived during the discussion of this item and so did not take part in the vote).

12.1  The Planning Officer introduced the report, as set out in the agenda.  He explained that planning application 2008/2014, which related to the same site, had been presented to the Sub-Committee on 3 December 2008 where it was deferred by Members to allow the applicant to go back and look at the mix of units.  The application was subsequently withdrawn to allow the residential element of the proposal to be revised.

12.2  The Planning Officer referred to the addendum which detailed a further objection from a resident, following the closure of the consultation period on 3 March 2009 and his response.  He added that a set of revised conditions for Recommendation A were detailed within the addendum, which dealt with the phasing issue.  The applicants confirmed that they were happy with the phasing plans suggested.

12.3  Steve Gilvin (Primary Care Trust), Jo McCafferty (Architects) and Paul Brand (Agent) spoke in support of the scheme, their comments are summarised as follows:-

§  Consultation was undertaken in 2007.

§  The centre will provide expert diagnostic services, with approximately 300-350 being dealt with a week.  The new centre will cover a wider catchment area, with public transport routes available for people living in these areas. People that normally use an ambulance service will still be offered this service.

§  The main change from the previous application is the family units now have more amenity space, with the provision of large terraces and balconies.

12.4  Councillor Webb raised the issue of street lamps and whether these could be placed on the building and it was confirmed that this was included with the Section 106 agreement.

12.5  In response to a question from the Chair regarding staff, the applicant confirmed that there would be approximately 40-50 staff based permanently on-site.

12.6  Discussion took place on the issue surrounding the ambulance parking bay and the Chair wished to clarify whether this affected the residual footway width.  The applicant stated that it was a TfL road and that the bay was within the curtailage of the site.  He added that it was a complex site within a red route and that the location was chosen as it provided a drop off point at the entrance of the building, with level access.  There was also limited parking within the yard.  The Chair requested that best endeavours be made for an alternative location to be found for the ambulance bay and drop off point, within the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12