Affordable housing and community facility at 1 - 2 Furrow Lane, Hackney, London E9

The site and surroundings

The vacant backland site contains deteriorated vehicle workshop buildings and sits among residential buildings, a school and the listed Plough Inn.

“The application site comprises a backland site accessed via a yard off Furrow Lane that contains a number of vehicle workshop style buildings. The site is located to the rear of the lower-rise outbuildings associated with The Plough Inn, which front Furrow Lane.”

“The surrounding context is varied. To the north is Alvares House, a relatively recent residential development ranging between three and five storeys. To the south lies The Plough Inn, a former public house with several floors of residential accommodation above, now closed. Opposite the site, on the western side of Furrow Lane, sits 14 - 16 Furrow Lane, a four-storey apartment block with two separate entrances.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because the scheme would bring a vacant site into beneficial use, provide affordable housing and community benefits, and avoid unacceptable impacts.

“The proposed development involves the redevelopment of a long-vacant backland site, including the demolition of a series of former garage buildings, to deliver a mixed-use scheme comprising 100% affordable housing, supported co-living accommodation, a community health use, and associated landscaping and infrastructure works.”

“In land use terms, the loss of the former garage use is considered acceptable in principle, having regard to Hackney Local Plan policy LP28. The site lies outside designated industrial land, has been vacant for a prolonged period, and is located within an area predominantly characterised by residential, educational and commercial uses.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The committee heard from two speakers objecting to the application and two speakers supporting it.

The vote

Seven named councillors voted for the application, with no votes against or abstentions; one councillor did not participate.

“Vote*: For: Cllr Mihai Chereji, Cllr Jas Crowe, Cllr Rachel Maguire, Cllr Brenda Puech (Chair), Cllr Kwame Otiende, Cllr Benzion Papier, and Cllr Reiner Tegtmeyer Against: None. Abstained: None.”

“*Councillor Bramble did not participate in the vote as the Councillor arrived at the meeting after the item had begun and therefore constitutionally was prevented from taking part in the discussion and the vote.”

Minutes

The decision

Planning permission was granted subject to conditions and completion of a legal agreement.

“To grant planning permission, subject to conditions and the completion of a legal agreement.”

Minutes

The legal agreement

The legal agreement was to secure affordable housing, car-free development, carbon offsetting, construction management, monitoring costs and legal fees.

“That the above recommendation be subject to the landowners and their mortgagees entering into a Legal Agreement by means of a legal deed in order to secure the following matters to the satisfaction of the Director of Legal, Democratic and Electoral Services:”

“5) Monitoring costs of £2,220 in accordance with the Planning Contributions SPD (2020) to be paid prior to completion of the proposed legal agreement; and…”

Officer report