Agenda and minutes

The minutes of the meeting held on 19 December 2022 were confirmed as correct.

The Senior Development Management Officer (SDMO), Be First Development Management Team, introduced a report and presentation on an application from BHRUT NHS Trust, concerning the construction of a Community Diagnostic Centre (Use Class E (e) ) on the existing Barking Community Hospital site at Upney Lane, Barking with associated landscaping and infrastructure, cycle parking and improvements to the wider site layout, including alterations to car and cycle parking to facilitate pedestrian connections with the main hospital building and the provision of additional disabled car parking and EV charging.

In addition to internal and external consultations, a total of 413 notification letters were sent to neighbouring properties together with the requisite statutory site & press notices. No responses were received.

Following the officer presentation, a few questions were asked by the Committee, and in response to these the applicant confirmed that there would be a small-time lapse and down time of approximately 8 weeks regarding the use of scanners, but that the effect of this would be minimised and covered through the use temporary scanners.

The officer also confirmed that there would be no significant day/sunlight impacts with regards to building heights to neighbouring residential properties.

It was also enquired as to whether additional EV charging points could be provided. However, the officer pointed out that there was no requirement for the applicant to provide additional car parking on the site, and that consequently there was no obligation to provide more EV charging points, and as such the two spaces included with the application were seen as a benefit for the users of the site.

Vicki Butler, Director of Clinical Service Reconfiguration, representing the applicant, provided an overview of the proposed development outlining the key elements of the scheme and how these would benefit existing and future residents of the Borough.

The officer concluded that the creation of a new Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) would help meet the healthcare needs of the local community and would provide permanent core imaging diagnostic services replacing a mobile unit currently located within the existing hospital car park. It would be one of 40 new CDCs across England and would help to provide earlier diagnoses for patients throughout the year and would meet an important local need.

As outlined in the report the proposals would secure a high-quality and designed development which would safeguard nearby residential amenity. Subject to the imposition of the recommended conditions and the finalisation of a Section 106 legal agreement, the proposals would not cause any notable transport or adverse environmental impacts.

The application therefore accorded with the adopted Development Plan and in  whole heartedly welcoming the proposals 

The Committee RESOLVED to:

1.  Agree the reasons for approval as set out in the report,

2.  Delegate authority to the Director of Inclusive Growth, in consultation with the Head of Legal Services to grant planning permission, based on the Heads of Terms and Conditions listed in Appendix 5 & 6 to the report, and

3.  That if by 14 August 2023 the legal  ...  view the full minutes text for item 24.