Place and Sustainability Committee 14 March 2013

PLACE AND SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE

14 MARCH 2013

LATCHMERE HOUSE AND HM REMAND CENTRE PLANNING BRIEF

REPORT BY THE HEAD OF PLANNING AND TRANSPORTATION

SUMMARY

This report concerns the preparation of a Planning Brief for the former Latchmere House and HM Remand Centre site. It supports planning policies in the recently adopted Local Development Framework Core Strategy (April 2012).

Action proposed by the Lead Member for Sustainable Place

It is proposed that

1. the Planning Brief is approved;

2. authority is delegated to the Head of Planning and Transportation to make minor text and formatting corrections to the draft document, if required.

3. the main issues identified in the Planning Brief are noted.

Reason for action proposed

In order that the document can form a material consideration in the determination of any planning application submitted for the site.

BACKGROUND

1. Latchmere House and the former HM Remand Centre is a decommissioned Ministry of Justice (MoJ) site, most recently used as a resettlement prison. The site spans the northern boundary of the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames and the south eastern boundary of the London Borough of Richmond.

2. The Local Development Framework Core Strategy was adopted in April 2012 and contains policies against which planning applications are assessed. However, it does not contain specific policy guidance for this windfall site.

3. As such this Brief will provide the landowner and prospective developers with specific guidance in order that a high quality development is achieved. The Brief aims to ensure a comprehensive approach to the redevelopment of the entire site to maximise integration and provide a high quality development with appropriate community benefits. The final version of the Brief is due to become available shortly after publication of this agenda and will be circulated separately in advance of the meeting.

PROPOSAL

4. The Planning Brief seeks to:

• inform the development of the site

• be consistent with existing and emerging policy frameworks and other planning guidance at national, regional and local levels

• incorporate the views of local residents, specific and general consultees that were received as part of a consultation on the Draft Planning Brief

• constitute a material consideration in the determination of any future planning application for the site

5. More specifically the Brief assesses the current features, constraints and opportunities. Key issues and principles cover the topics of:

• preferred land use • heritage and conservation • transport and access • pedestrian and vehicular access • cycle parking • car parking • public transport • landscaping and open space • archaeology • urban design • ecology • amenity • scale and massing • density and mix • conceptual layouts • sustainability and • planning obligations

PUBLIC CONSULTATION

6. The Draft Planning Brief was subject to a non-statutory public consultation over six weeks between Friday 11 January 2013 and Friday 22 February 2013. Public meetings for the local community were also conducted on Wednesday 17 October 2012 and Wednesday 31 January 2013.

7. In addition, both the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames and the London Borough of Richmond would expect any applicant to conduct extensive engagement with local communities in preparing proposals as well as formal pre- application consultation.

TIMESCALE

8. The Latchmere House and HM Remand Centre Planning Brief was compiled by consultants Broadway Malyan in conjunction with the Latchmere House Project Team (which included Members from both boroughs, planning officers, a highway officer and input from other Council departments such as Housing) between September 2012 and March 2013.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

9. This Planning Brief has financial implications for the Council. These will take the form of the consultant’s fees and costs related to public consultation. However, these costs will be divided between the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames and the London Borough of Richmond.

LEGAL IMPLICATIONS

10. There are no legal implications associated with the production of this Planning Brief. It will, however, be used as a material consideration in the determination for planning applications by both the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames and the London Borough of Richmond.

RISK ASSESSMENT

11. The benefits to producing the Planning Brief are that:

• any planning application submitted for the site is comprehensive (covering both boroughs) • the joint approach between both boroughs will maximise the potential integration with the surrounding communities and the delivery of a high quality development • the delivery of appropriate community benefits such as affordable housing • the document will provide guidance to the Development Management Team in the determination of any prospective planning application

EQUALITY IMPACT ASSESSMENT IMPLICATIONS

12. An EQIA is not considered necessary as the Planning Brief supports existing policies within the Local Development Framework Core Strategy, which itself was subject to an EQIA.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS

13. There are potential environmental implications of this site’s development. Consequently, an ecological, archaeological and transport assessment will be required as part of any planning application for the entire site.

Background papers : held by Nicola Smith – 020 8547 5414, e-mail: [email protected] Author of report

• Draft Latchmere Prison and HM Remand Centre Planning Brief 2013 • Local Development Framework Core Strategy (April 2012) • Statement of Consultation – Latchmere House and HM Remand Centre Draft Planning Brief