Land between West Street, Bath Street, Royal Pier Road and Queen ...

Whilst there are some ‘pinch points’ opposite St Andrews Court and Melbourne Quay, whereseparation is approximately 12 to 13 metres, in the context of a town centre location this is notconsidered to be unreasonable. Therefore, having regard to the proposed location of newbuildings and subsequent separation from existing buildings, it is generally concluded that theproposed development will not introduce unacceptable levels of overlooking to existing residentssurrounding the application site.Noise and Air Quality - The calculations carried out indicate the increase in road traffic on themain roads in 2018 on completion and occupation of the development will be less than 1dB(A)which is a negligible change. Whilst there are small predicted increases in noise at the vehicularentrance to the car park off the Bath Street roundabout and along the realigned Bank Street,having regard to existing noise levels and the increase being gradual over the course of thedevelopment the Borough Council’s Senior Environmental Health Officer is comfortable that theywill not introduce perceptible increases to existing residents. The accepted traffic flow predictionswhich indicate a slight reduction in traffic flow has the effect of producing a small decrease in roadtraffic noise on West Street itself where it runs in front of the existing flats. Whilst the significanceof this decrease in noise awareness terms is negligible, it must be stated it would usually beexpected with this type of town centre development for there to be an increase in traffic noise.In air quality terms the combination of reduced traffic flows and increased separation betweenbuildings on West Street (reducing the previous ‘canyon’ effect) are predicted to reduce pollutionlevels in that environment. The promotion of a Travel Plan designed to reduce reliance on theprivate car and provision of electric car charging points aim to further improve air quality. Althoughonly a modest improvement to noise and air quality, it is nonetheless reported as a beneficialimpact upon the amenity of existing residents in West Street.TV reception - The impact upon television reception is a less relevant consideration at this pointin time given the phasing out of analogue television broadcast as digital television is largelyunaffected by atmospheric conditions and does not suffer reflection effects and ‘ghosted’ imagegeneration caused by the presence of buildings. However as recognised in an assessment of thismatter as part of the previous application, there remains the potential for some modest mitigationto be required to avoid any disruption to radio, television and satellite reception in the vicinity of thesite. Whilst this impact will be reduced due to the generally reduced massing and heights of theproposed buildings, as accepted by the applicant it remains appropriate and necessary tocondition for pre-demolition and post-completion surveys to resolve if retrospective mitigation maybe required.Construction Impacts - Due to the size and nature of the proposed development, which ifapproved is programmed to take place over a four year period, it is also particularly relevant tohave regard to the impacts that construction works will have upon the amenity of the surroundingresidents. Whilst recognising that some impacts associated with construction works areunavoidable, it is necessary to consider appropriate mitigation to minimise those impacts, such ascontrolling working hours, timing for deliveries, routes for construction traffic and dust suppression.This will include approving the most appropriate means of foundation construction, which currentlydoes not anticipate impact piling. The applicant accepts that a Construction EnvironmentalManagement Plan will require approval by the Council in advance of any works commencing onsite, and this may be required through planning condition. The Port of London Authority advocatemaximising use of the River Thames for the import and export of materials and waste and thisoption, which if feasible will take construction vehicles off the local highway network, is supportedby the Council and should be considered by the applicant in devising a Plan.Due to the estimated length of the construction period, it is also considered appropriate andnecessary for the developer to agree with the Council the proposed siting and design of any sitehoarding.