Faye,

Following receipt of your draft planning application documents (specifically pages 4 and 5 of the document entitled ‘pre planning application meeting 01 28.03.2012’) I can advise as follows with regard to the proposal to submit two applications at the site.  Please note that these comments are preliminary, based on the limited information before the Council, and without prejudice to the assessment of the proposed change of use and associated works.

Based on the information supplied it is understood that the proposal is to divide the applications into two as there are concerns that the existing residential leaseholders in Centrepoint House will have to be signatories to any S106 associated with the proposed change of use of Centrepoint Tower and associated extensions.  I have discussed this matter with my legal colleagues who have advised that this is not necessarily the case.  Another way to deal with the proposal is to have one planning application for the entire site (, Centrepoint House and the bridge link) and amend the definitions and extent of application of the obligations within the S106.  This would mean that the works related solely to the residential leaseholds in Centrepoint House could potentially be excluded from the majority of the S106 clauses and the leaseholders would not need to be signatories.  If you (or your legal advisors) wish to discuss this matter further then please contact Louise McLaughlan on [cyfeiriad ebost] .

In any case (with one or two applications) there would be a need to include a clause to say that the freeholders will use reasonable endeavours to engage the existing residential units in complying with any Service Management Plan or Travel Plan and for the energy/sustainability statements to include the development as a whole.  There would also be a need for anyone with a long lease interest in any other part of the site (for example CBI) to be signatories to the S106. 

With regard to the proposed redline plan shown on page 5, this would need to be amended (whether there are two applications or one application) to show the land shown on the title deeds within the red line.  Another plan could then be submitted showing the extent of the public realm works adjacent to the site and discussions would need to be had with my transport colleagues with regard to the implementation and coordination of these works between the different landowners. 

Please note that this is Officer Opinion only based on the information provided by you and your client and is not legally binding on the Council as a decision making authority.

Regards

Amanda Peck
Principal Planning Officer
Planning and Public Protection
Culture and Environment
Borough of

Telephone:   020 7974 5885
Web:             camden.gov.uk

Town Hall Extension (Environment)
Argyle Street
WC1H 8EQ

Please consider the environment before printing this email.