Agenda item

RECOMMENDATION:  That subject to the completion of a Section 106 Agreement to secure the matters covered in this report, the Head of Development Management/ Planning Decisions Manager be authorised to Grant planning permission subject to conditions.

WARD:  Upper Edmonton

NOTED

1.    An update report for Members had been published and circulated by email.

2.    The introduction by Sharon Davidson, Planning Decisions Manager, clarifying the proposals, highlighting proposed amendments to the conditions as set out in the update report and delegated authority sought by officers for wording of all conditions.

3.   The application site sits within the EcoPark ,  immediately  north of the North Circular Road. Members will be aware that the EcoPark is to be reconstructed pursuant to the Development Consent Order granted in 2017. This reconstruction will take place on a phased basis to ensure the site can continue to operate throughout.

4.   This application is for the erection of a new building to accommodate the new district heating energy centre alongside the initial phase of pipework to extend westwards towards the MW regeneration area.

The building is predominantly 2 storeys with a tower reaching 26.5m housing the thermal stores and an exhaust chimney rising 30m. Both would be contained within expanded aluminium mesh clad enclosures. The main building would accommodate plant, equipment and offices on the ground floor and further plant and equipment within a mezzanine.

5.   The energy centre will connect to the Energy Recovery Facility on the EcoPark when it is renewed in 2026.

The proposal includes night time LED lighting to assist in signifying its presence. The lighting scheme would back light the mesh cladding surrounding the thermal stores and chimney tower to create a lantern effect.

6.   The energy centre will move energy in the form of hot water through a system of underground pipes to homes and businesses, including the proposed MW development. Overtime, the network has the potential to connect to additional heat sources and demands elsewhere in the Lee Valley, such as the 3 satellite networks of Ponders End, Arnos Grove and Oakwood, other Enfield developments as well as the energy centre in Haringey.

7.   An underground route has been secured to meet capacity of Phase 1 of the MW development. The Centre however had been designed to be capable of delivering energy to the whole of MW and more, with a capacity to serve approximately 30,000 homes.

8.   Strategic regional and local policy is supportive of the delivery of a new heat network for the Lee Valley area and local policy is supportive of the provision of an energy centre on this site. The building design is functional and high quality and appropriate to its industrial context, announcing itself and signifying positive change and an investment in sustainable regeneration.

9.   Having regard to the mitigation identified in the report and to be secured by conditions, it is considered that the proposed development is acceptable when assessed against relevant planning policies.

Members were reminded of the amendments to conditions set out in the update report already circulated.

10. Members’ debate and questions responded to by officers.

11. The unanimous support of the Committee for the officers’ recommendation.

AGREED that subject to the completion of a Section 106 Agreement to secure the matters covered in the report, the Head of Development Management / Planning Decisions Manager be authorised to grant planning permission subject to conditions.