PUBLIC ITEM 5 - APPENDIX 2 Originator of Report: Allison De Marco th Date: 5 August 2010 Proposed development Application Number: 10/90344/FULODA Site Plan © OS Crown Copyright. All rights reserved. ODA 100046062 Location: Olympic Park Delivery Zone 4; at the eastern end of Roach Road where it intersects with Monier Road and within the LB of Tower Hamlets. Olympic Park Delivery Zone 5; at the eastern end of Wallis Road and within the LB of Hackney. London Borough: Tower Hamlets and Hackney Proposal: Full planning application for the construction of two permanent pedestrian and cycle bridges (H10 and H14) for Post-Games Transformation phase. Applicants: Olympic Delivery Authority Agent: Arup (planning agent) and Allies & Morrison architects. 1. SUMMARY 1.1 This report considers a full planning application for the construction of two permanent pedestrian and cycle bridges for Post-Games transformation use; Bridge H10 located to the east of Wallis Road in Planning Delivery Zone 5 and Bridge H14 located to the east of Roach Road in Planning Delivery Zone 4. 1.2 The proposed bridges are located at the western extent of the 2007 Site Preparation and Olympic Facilities planning applications site and will provide new connections from the western communities in Hackney Wick and Fish Island across the Lea Navigation/Hackney Cut. 1.3 This report details a ‘slot-in’ application for full planning permission seeking approval for: o Preparatory works including bulk earthworks for the creation of landform to finished levels, including retaining structures and construction of piling and foundations; o The laying of surface water drainage; o Construction of bridge structure including abutments, retaining walls, bridge decks, parapets and handrails including material details; o Construction of approach ramps including the laying out of hard and soft landscaping including the installation of stairs, rest areas, parapet and handrails and planting of trees, climbers, lawn and meadow grass; o Construction of a lift at the western approach to Bridge H10. 1.4 The proposed bridges will provide key new connections for local residents living in the western communities to the venues and open space within the Post- Games Transformation Olympic Park. It is considered that the design, modulation, grain and scale of the proposed western bridge represent a refined response to context which will provide a pair of well considered and sympathetic new public realm and bridge insertions within Fish Island and Hackney Wick. Within their context the proposed bridges are considered to respect local context, character and communities and create and enhance the visual amenity of each site. 1.5 The assessment and consideration of this application concludes that the timely and detailed development of the PGT works will ensure that the benefits to be derived after the London Olympics and Paralympics will be maximised, in accordance with Section 5(5) b) of the Olympic Act, and become available for public access at the earliest opportunity. 1.6 It is recommended that full planning permission be approved for Bridges H10 and H14 subject to conditions and informatives. 2. SITE AND SURROUNDINGS 2.1 The proposed Western Bridges encompass two sites, one within PDZ 4 and the other in PDZ 5. The PDZ 4 application site is located wholly within the administrative boundary of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. The PDZ 5 application site is located wholly within the administrative boundary of the London Borough of Hackney. The application sites cross the River Lea Navigation/Hackney Cut. Page 2 of 103 Public Item 5/PDC/23APRIL2013/Appendix2/FINAL NOT PROTECTIVELY MARKED 2.2 The Olympic Park site is currently a construction site with infrastructure and building works being undertaken in accordance with the 2007 Site Preparation and Olympic Facilities planning applications (ref: 07/90011/FUMODA and 07/90010/OUMODA respectively). BRIDGE H10 CONTEXT 2.3 The H10 Bridge is located at the eastern end of Wallis Road. 2.4 Within the LB Hackney LDF proposals map, the western approach of Bridge H10 is located within Priority Employment Area (PEA) and Flood Zone 3a allocations and alongside a Green Corridor which runs along the Lea Navigation. The eastern approach of Bridge H10 borders two allocations, a ‘Strategic Industrial Location’ (Hackney wick SIL) allocation to the north surrounding the IBC and ‘Other Industrial Sites’ (Hackney Wick OIA) allocation to the south surrounding the Multi-Use Sports Venue (MUSV). Within LB Hackney’s Unitary Development Plan, both east and west approaches of the H10 application site are designated as defined employment area. The Lea Navigation is designated a pedestrian and/or cycle facility under the LB Hackney UDP. 2.5 Public Realm Improvements: The LTGDC are delivering a number of public realm enhancements and strategic connection improvement projects across Hackney Wick Fish Island. The LTGDC led Wallis Road project is identified in the Area Action Plan. The LTDGC intend to commence delivery in early December 2010. The material palette has not yet been fixed for the LTGDC Hackney Wick/Fish Island public realm and strategic connections projects and an indicative palette has been provided of granite kerbs, raised parking bays and crossovers in granite blocks, artificial stone paving footways and semi-mature tree planting of potential London Plane trees with grille or surround. 2.6 Hackney Wick Conservation Area: The H10 western approach adjoins the Hackney Wick Conservation Area. The Hackney Wick Conservation Area (HWCA) was designated in November 2009, prior to public consultation. Public consultation was subsequently undertaken early this year between 1 February 2010 - 15 March 2010 on the Conservation Area designation and Hackney Wick Conservation Area Appraisal (2009) which accompanies and supports the designation. 2.7 The HWCA area is located immediately north of Hackney Wick station and forms part of the ‘Hackney Wick group of historic factories’. The Hackney Wick Conservation Area Appraisal considers the historical development of the area and describes the small group of late Victorian industrial buildings which characterise the HWCA. The Appraisal notes that the wider Hackney Wick area suffered substantial damage during the war and the residential area north of the HWCA was completely rebuilt as the current Trowbridge Estate, but that the HWCA is the only remaining part of Hackney Wick where the street pattern has remained relatively unaltered since the late Victorian period. 2.8 Buildings contained within the HWCA are predominantly industrial in character with various industrial buildings and associated yards and open spaces dating from 1860 onwards, several former industrial buildings are used as creative studios some of which incorporate live-work units for artists. The appraisal assesses that there are a number of important early industrial buildings as well as some smaller Victorian or Edwardian buildings within the immediate context of Page 3 of 103 Public Item 5/PDC/23APRIL2013/Appendix2/FINAL NOT PROTECTIVELY MARKED the H10 western approach, with most of the late twentieth century buildings comprising large industrial sheds or small garages. 2.9 Four buildings along Wallis Road are described in further detail as constituent buildings of architectural and historic merit within the eastern zone of the HWCA. One of the four buildings, the Central Brooks building, is a locally listed four storey building noted as one of the tallest in the area which acts as a local landmark and can be seen from the passing trains and the station. The building is located approximately 70m to the west of the H10 western approach (Attachment 1: Image 1). 2.10 Another three buildings are identified as buildings of townscape merit and include the Eton Mission Boat House, which houses the Eton Mission Rowing Club (EMRC), and adjoining redundant substation structure. 2.11 The appraisal notes that there are buildings within the HWCA and immediately outside which are of poor architectural quality and have been identified as development sites with the emerging Hackney Wick Masterplan (Phase 1 now adopted). The historic fabric of the area together with views to the river, Olympics site and the grade 2 listed schools should positively inform the form and character of the proposed development. 2.12 The HWCA indentifies a ‘focal point’ on the site of the H10 western approach. 2.13 The boundary of the HWCA is incorrectly shown in various LB Hackney documents pertaining to the Conservation Area and plans and maps now published in the recently adopted Hackney Wick AAP Masterplan: Phase 1 as incorporating the ODA administrative area included on the western side of the Lea Navigation and therefore appears to include the H10 western approach. 2.14 The ODA Planning Functions Order 2006 grants the ODA the power to designate a Conservation Area (and determine any application for listed building or conservation area consent) and as such the LB of Hackney is not able to designate a Conservation Area within the ODA Planning Functions boundary. 2.15 Accordingly, the area included within the western bridges application boundary, within which the H10 western approach is proposed, is not within the HWCA and the Conservation Area appraisal designation of a ‘focal point’ and identification of the substation structure as a ‘building of townscape merit’ are not applicable in the determination of this application. 2.16 The ODA PDT has previously requested that the boundary of the HWCA be redrawn to exclude the area of Wallis Road included within the ODA administrative area but no formal response has been received from LB Hackney. 2.17 Existing Site: The following items are located within the extent of the western bridges boundary and ODA Planning Functions boundary and therefore excluded from the Hackney Wick Conservation Area: A redundant single storey EDF substation which is proposed to be demolished and a single storey timber mono- pitch lean-to structure attached to the Eton Mission Boat House and used by the Rowing Club for storage and a gate and fence structure which runs along the western extent of the CPO boundary.