St Thomas' Hospital 249 Westminster Bridge Road London SE1 7EH Ward Bishops

Section 1 – Site Location Map

1 Section 2 – Application Summary

Location St Thomas' Hospital 249 Westminster Bridge Road London SE1 7EH Ward Bishops

Proposal Erection of a memorial statue dedicated to the life and work of Mary Application Seacole within the gardens of St Thomas Hospital. Applicant Lord Clive Soley

Agent Ms Philomena Davidson 4 Church Walk Bletchingley Redhill Surrey RH1 4PD

Date valid 31 January 2012 Case Officer Ms Seonaid Carr

Application 11/04574/FUL Reference

Recommendatio n(s) Grant planning permission subject to conditions

Constraints Conservation Area Environment Agency Flood Zone Opportunity Area Transport for London Road Network London Plan Thames Policy Area Protected Vistas

Advert Publication 23rd March 2012 Date

Site Notice posted 17th February 2012 on

1. Summary Of Main Issues

1.1. The impact of the proposed statue on the character and appearance of the surrounding Conservation Area and nearby listed buildings.

1.2. Whether the proposed statue conflicts with the use of the public open space.

1.3. Whether the proposed statue would have an impact on the surrounding transport network.

1.4. The impact the proposed statue would have on community safety within the area of the site.

1.5. Whether the principle of the erection of public art is acceptable.

2. Site Description

2.1. The site is a small area of public space situated within the St Thomas’ hospital complex. It is located to the west of Gassiot House, south of Westminster Bridge Road and to the north of the North Wing of the hospital. To the west of the application site is an existing public space comprised of a pond with green space and public seating, further to the west is the River Thames and to the adjacent side of the Thames are the Houses of Parliament.

2.2. The site is located within the Environment Agency Flood Zone, London Plan Thames Policy Area, London Plan Opportunity Area and the South Bank Conservation Area the site is not listed however the South Wing of the hospital is Grade II Listed. The hospital complex is adjacent to Westminster Bridge Road which forms part of the Transport for London Road Network.

3. Planning History

3.1. The site has a lengthy planning history relating to varying developments within the hospital complex. The following applications relate to statues or public art within or in close proximity to the application site:

3.2. 11.03.2009 – Listed Building Consent granted for the relocation of the Statue of Edward VI from outside northern side of the northern entrance to the southern side of the northern entrance (09/00187/LB).

3.3. 20.04.2009 – Listed Building Consent granted for the relocation of the limestone statue of Edward V1 current positioned outside the entrance to the North Wing of St Thomas's Hospital to enable alterations to the ground floor of the building (09/00632/LB).

4. Scheme Details

4.1. Planning permission is sought for the erection of a memorial statue of Mary Seacole. The development would involve re-landscaping a small section of the public space to accommodate the new statue. The proposed area would measure 9.8m wide and 11.9m in depth and would provide a new pedestrian link to the existing walkway to the front of Gassiot House. The new upstand wall which would surround the development would incorporate low level LED lighting.

4.2. The statue would be sited on a plinth measuring 4.2m wide by 5m in length rising some 0.4m above ground level. The statue of Mary Seacole would measure 3m in height from the plinth and stand before a disc with a diameter of 4.5m. To the base of the plinth would be an informative engraving. To the front of the statue would be a spotlight illuminating the statue. The spotlight would project only within the remit of the disc behind the statue and as such would not result in spillage beyond the disc to Gassiot House. To the rear of the statue would be a legend inlaid in the ground which would have another informative engraving.

4.3. The statue would be constructed with high quality materials including Portland Stone to the Plinth, the statue would be cast in bronze, as would the disc, the bronze disc would be cast from the earth in the Crimea and painted a paler colour than the figure to enhance the shadow thrown by the illuminated figure.

4.4. The applicant has advised that the proposed statue would be the first named statue of a black woman in the UK.

5. Consultation Responses

5.1. A site notice was erected within proximity of the location of the proposed statue and a press notice was issued, local amenity groups were also notified of the proposal.

5.2. To date we have received 15 letters of objection and 19 letters of support. The objections raised are outlined in the table below:

Objections: Council’s Response:

Development would result The proposed statue would not in loss of open space. restrict the open space function of the area within which it would be located and would be ancillary to the use of the open space. In accordance with Core Strategy Policy S5 the development would be improving the access to existing open space by introducing a new pedestrian link between the walkway to the front of Gassiot House and the location of the proposed statue facilitating more efficient pedestrian flow.

Although the development would result in the loss of some open space due to the size of the plinth (21 square metres) this would be negligible in the context of the public space located to the front of Gassiot House and the to side of the North Wing which accounts to some 3710 square metres.

In light of the above the proposals would accord with the relevant policies of the Lambeth Development Plan. Not a suitable location for a Not a material planning statue of Mary Seacole, consideration. It is not the remit of Mary Seacole has no planning legislation to determine the connection with St Thomas’ content of the statue, we are only Hospital. assessing the planning implications of the proposal. Scale of development It is considered that the proposed dominate the open space, statue would not detract from the blocking views of the river character of the hospital complex and Palace of Westminster. within which it is located. When considering the proposed statue within the context of the site, firstly in its immediate context it is considered it would not detract from the public area within which it would be located and would in fact improve the connectivity between this public area and the walkway to the front of Gassiot House given the introduction of this new pedestrian access.

Views of the river are widely appreciated from the application site, it is considered that the proposed statue would not significantly detract from these views or prevent them when standing within the hospital complex. Issue of community safety The Councils Crime Prevention team given the disc would were consulted on the development provide structure to lurk and did not raise concern in regard behind. to the disc providing an opportunity for people to lurk behind. It was not considered that the development would pose a concern in respect of community safety. No consultation from the The Council has undertaken the Primary Health Care Trust relevant consultation, whatever who suggested the Statue. consultation was undertaken by the applicant prior to submitting the

planning application is not relevant to the determination of this case.

There would be an impact The development would not result in on existing car parking any loss of car parking spaces. This spaces as a result of the comment is not applicable to this development. application. The statue would detract Not a material planning from Florence Nightingale’s consideration. real and evidenced contribution to nursing. Granting planning permission would send the wrong message as Mary Seacole and Florence Nightingale very different people. People coming to view the The existing open space can be statue would cause utilised by any number of people, congestion and disturb there are no restrictions to who can patients and visitors’ quiet use this public space. enjoyment of the existing open space. The proposed statue would be located off the main walkway between the entrance to the hospital complex from Westminster Bridge Road and the hospital buildings. Due to its siting visitors would not significantly impede the pedestrian flow into the hospital buildings.

5.4 The following Council departments and statutory bodies were also consulted on the proposed scheme and their responses are summarised as follows:

Conservation and Design - No objection; Crime Prevention – No objection subject to condition regarding materials; Lambeth Arts – No objection raised; Planning Policy - No objection.

6. Planning Considerations

6.1. Relevant Policies

6.1.1. The following national guidance is considered relevant to the determination of this application:

National Planning Policy Framework

6.1.2. London Plan 2011

7.2 An Inclusive Environment 7.5 Public Realm 7.8 Heritage Assets and Archaeology 7.29 The River Thames

6.1.3. Lambeth Core Strategy (January 2011)

Policy S1 Delivering the Vision and Objectives Policy S4 Transport Policy S5 Open Space Policy S7 Sustainable Design and Construction Policy S9 Quality of the Built Environment

6.1.4. The Unitary Development Plan 2007 (Policies saved beyond 5th August 2010 and not superseded by the Core Strategy January 2011)

Policy 7 Protection of Residential Amenity Policy 9 Transport Impact Policy 30 Arts and Culture Policy 32 Community Safety/Designing Out Crime Policy 35 Sustainable Design and Construction Policy 39 Streetscape, Landscape and Public Realm Design Policy 43 The River Thames Policy Area – Urban Design Policy 45 Listed Buildings Policy 47 Conservation Areas Policy 50 Open Space and Sports Facilities

6.2. Land Use

6.2.1. The proposed statue would be located on open space located within the St Thomas’ Hospital complex. This land is not designated as open space within the Council Development plan but is used by the public for their amenity.

6.2.2. When considering the proposed development against the objectives of Saved UDP Policy 50 and Core Strategy Policy S5, it is considered the proposal would accord with the objectives of these policies. The proposed statue would not prohibit the function of the area within which it would be located and would be ancillary to the use of the open space. In accordance with Core Strategy Policy S5 the development would be improving the access to existing open space by introducing a new pedestrian link between the walkway to the front of Gassiot House and the location of the proposed statue allowing people to flow more easily between the walkway and public area.

6.2.3. Although the development would result in the loss of some open space due to the size of the plinth (21 square metres) this would be negligible in the context of the public space located to the front of Gassiot House and the to side of the North Wing which accounts to some 3710 square metres.

6.2.4. Policy 30 of the Adopted Unitary Development Plan seeks to secure and promote development that contributes to or increases the offer of arts and culture within the Borough. Arts and culture amongst other facilities refers to public art including statues. The supporting text to the policy promotes community involvement. This has taken place and it is considered that the erection of this statue would enrich the historical context of the location and the subject work.

6.2.5. It is therefore concluded that there are no objections to the proposal on land use grounds and the development would not conflict in this respect with the Lambeth Development Plan.

6.3. Design and Conservation Considerations

6.3.1. Saved UDP Policy 39, seeks to ensure that development provides or enhances an uncluttered, consistent, simple, accessible and co-ordinated public realm, with robust and appropriate materials and landscape design, enhancing the setting, connections and spaces between buildings. The design of public spaces and the style and siting of street furniture should relate well to the surrounding urban context and character.

6.3.2. In relation to the public realm Policy S9 seeks to ensure the Council will improve and maintain the quality of the built environment and its liveability by seeking the highest quality of design.

6.3.3. Saved UDP Policy 47 seeks to ensure development preserves or enhances the character and appearance of Conservation Areas. Furthermore Policy 45 seeks to ensure development does not adversely affect the setting of a listed building.

6.3.4. It is considered that the proposed statue would not detract from the character of the hospital complex within which it is located. When considering the proposed statue within the context of the site, firstly in its immediate context it is considered it would not compromise the public area within which it would be located and would in fact improve the connectivity between this public area and the walkway to the front of Gassiot House given the introduction of this new pedestrian access.

6.3.5. Secondly, considering the proposed statue within the context of the hospital complex, it is considered the development would not detract from or dominate the character of the hospital complex. Furthermore it would not detract from the setting of the Listed buildings located on site to the south nor would the proposal cause harm to the character or appearance of the South Bank Conservation Area.

6.3.6. The Council’s Conservation officers were consulted on the development and raised no objection stating it would not harm the special interest of the nearby listed building or the character and appearance of the Conservation Area.

6.3.7. The proposal would be constructed with high quality materials that would be appropriate for the location in respect of its siting within a Conservation Area.

6.3.8. In light of the above, no objection is raised to the proposed on design and conservation grounds and the proposed development would accord with the relevant policies of the Lambeth development plan.

6.4. Amenity Impact

6.4.1. Saved UDP Policy 7 seeks to protect residential amenity of neighbouring properties. Saved UDP Policy 33, also requires new development to protect residential amenity.

6.4.2. Due to the location of the proposed statue within the boundaries of the hospital complex, not immediately adjacent or within close proximity of any residential units, there would be no amenity impact from this development.

6.5. Highways and Transportation Issues

6.5.1. Saved UDP Policy 9, states that development will be assessed for their transport impacts, including cumulative impacts on highway safety, the environment and road network, and on all transport modes.

6.5.2. Core Strategy Policy S4, states that the Council will achieve transport objectives by requiring development to be appropriate to the level of public transport accessibility and capacity in the area.

6.5.3. It is considered that due to the location of the proposed statue within an existing public space, some 40m from Westminster Bridge Road, the proposal would have no impact on highway safety or pedestrian flow within the hospital complex.

6.5.4. In respect of the illumination of the statue, this would be relatively low and is not designed to spill out with the realm of the statue. It is considered that the light emitted from the proposal statue would be greater than the ambient light levels within the surrounding area. As such it would not pose a concern with traffic on Westminster Bridge Road.

6.5.5. As such no objection is raised on highways and transport grounds.

6.6. Crime Prevention

6.6.1. Saved UDP Policy 32 aims to ensure that development does not increase opportunities for crime. The Council’s Crime Prevention officers were consulted on the proposals and have requested that tamper proof fixing are used to the elevated platform and that a liquid DNA marking such as Smart water is employed to reduce the risk of metal theft, such requirements can be secured via condition.

7. Conclusion

7.1. It is considered that the development is compliant with the planning policies of the Lambeth development plan and that no other material planning considerations of sufficient weight exist that would dictate that the application should be refused.

8. Recommendation

8.1. Grant planning permission subject to the attached conditions

In deciding to grant planning permission, the Council has had regard to the relevant policies of the Development Plan and all other relevant material considerations. Having weighed the merits of the proposal in the context of these issues, it is considered that planning permission should be granted subject to the conditions listed below. In reaching this decision the following Local Development Framework Core Strategy 2011 and the Adopted Unitary Development Plan (2007) Policies were relevant:

Lambeth Core Strategy (January 2011)

Policy S1 Delivering the Vision and Objectives Policy S4 Transport Policy S5 Open Space Policy S7 Sustainable Design and Construction Policy S9 Quality of the Built Environment

The Unitary Development Plan 2007 (Policies saved beyond 5th August 2010 and not superseded by the Core Strategy January 2011)

Conditions

1 The development to which this permission relates must be begun not later than the expiration of three years beginning from the date of this decision notice.

Reason: To comply with the provisions of Section 91(1)(a) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and Section 51 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.

2 The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the approved plans listed in this decision notice.

Reason: To ensure that the development is implemented in accordance with the approved plans.

3 Notwithstanding the hereby approved plans, prior to the commencement of development details shall be submitted to an approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority which show that a tamper proof fixing shall be used to the elevated platform and a liquid DNA marking such as Smart water shall be employed. These measures shall be provided in accordance with the approved details and shall thereafter be retained as such.

Reason: In the interests of community safety in accordance with Policy 32 of the Adopted Unitary Development Plan (2007).

Informatives

1 This decision letter does not convey an approval or consent which may be required under any enactment, by-law, order or regulation, other than Section 57 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

2 Your attention is drawn to the provisions of the Building Regulations, and related

legislation which must be complied with to the satisfaction of the Council's Building Control Officer.

3 You are advised of the necessity to consult the Council’s Highways team prior to the commencement of construction on 020 7926 9000 in order to obtain necessary approvals and licences prior to undertaking any works within the Public Highway including Scaffolding, Temporary/Permanent Crossovers, Oversailing/Undersailing of the Highway, Drainage/Sewer Connections, Hoarding, Excavations (including adjacent to the highway such as basements, etc), Temporary Full/Part Road Closures, Craneage Licences etc.

Section 4 – Decision Notice

Date of Application : 28.12.2011 Date of Decision :

In order to comply with Section 91 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 the development to which this permission relates must be begun not later than the expiration of THREE years from the date hereof.

Proposed Development At : St Thomas' Hospital 249 Westminster Bridge Road London SE1 7EH