Planning Applications PDF 1 MB - Meetings, agendas and minutes

Sustainability and Energy
Access
Noise
Flood Risk
Planning Obligations
Principle of Development
4.2 The application needs to be considered in accordance with the provision which
requires determinations to be in accordance with the development plan where relevant
unless material considerations indicate otherwise. The development plan for the
Borough consists of the London Plan, the Council's Core Strategy and the Development
Management Local Plan. Outside the development plan there is also important
guidance with the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) where there is a
presumption in favour of sustainable development.
4.3 Both the NPPF and the London Plan advocate the need to optimise the use of land
and accommodate economic growth through intensification specifically within areas of
high public transport accessibility.
4.4 The site falls within the White City Opportunity Area (WCOA) as identified within the
London Plan and the Council's Core Strategy. Within the London Plan, Opportunity
Areas (OAs) are defined as 'the capital's major reservoir of brownfield land with
significant capacity to accommodate new housing, commercial and other development
linked to existing or potential improvements to public transport accessibility'. Part B of
Policy 2.13 (Opportunity Areas and Intensification Areas) states that development
proposals within OAs should 'seek to optimise residential and non-residential output and
densities, provide necessary social and other infrastructure to sustain growth, and,
where appropriate, contain a mix of uses'.
4.5 One of the key challenges identified within the LBHF Core Strategy is the need to
regenerate town centres and local centres, specifically through the better utilisation of
sites within the designated town centres to ensure the continued provision of a wide
range of high quality retailing, services, arts and cultural and other leisure facilities to
serve local residents, visitors and workers.
4.6 Both the Development Management and the Core Strategy seek the regeneration of
areas and aim to sustain a mix of uses. Strategic Policy A of the Core Strategy
(Planning for Regeneration and Growth) recognises the need to focus regeneration and
growth within the WCOA and the other key regeneration areas. The supporting text to
the policy notes that demand exists for offices within the town centre and encourages
such provision as it can continue to support and enhance the local economy. Office
uses are also supported within the strategic opportunity area policies.
4.7 The Application seeks to provide new Class B1 (office) floorspace connected to an
existing office. The offices which are being enlarged relates to Net-a-Porter who are an
established on-line retailer. It is considered that the provision of offices would serve to
complement the variety of land uses in the shopping centre and of Shepherds Bush
Metropolitan Town Centre. As a result of the development, it is considered that
Shepherds Bush's status as a diverse town centre destination would be enhanced. As
such, it is considered that the principle of development is in full accordance with
planning policy requirements.