One Blackfriars - Planning Statement FINAL VERSION - Southwark ...

CBRE | ST GEORGE SOUTH LONDON LTD8.0 Planning Policy Assessment“development proposals that accord with the development plan should be approvedwithout delay”.8.9 OAs are priority areas for growth in new jobs and housing. The Site is specificallyidentified as a strategically important development site within the draft BBLB SPD.8.10 The principle of the redevelopment of the Site for a high density mixed usedevelopment was established by the Implemented Permission and is supported bythe London Plan, Southwark Plan, Core Strategy, and the draft Bankside, Boroughand London Bridge SPD.8.11 The Proposed Development would enable the delivery of a Site which has beenvacant for ten years. The Proposed Development would provide 274 new homes,over 200 new permanent jobs in a range of sectors, new hotel and retail relatedfacilities, a managed access Viewing Lounge on the 32nd level of the tower,significant public realm improvements and enable the delivery of off-site affordablehousing.8.12 The application proposals represent a viable and deliverable development. TheApplicant’s objective is to commence development in 2013 and complete thedevelopment within a period of 48 months subject to receiving planning permission.8.13 The Proposed Development would therefore deliver on NPPF, London Plan and LBSouthwark’s policy objectives, providing a landmark, exemplary mixed usedevelopment, securing the delivery of new homes and jobs and contributingsignificantly to the regeneration of the area (see below).8.14 The proposed mix of uses is appropriate to the Site and accords with national,regional and local planning policy. Each land use will now be addressed in turn.Hotel8.15 London Plan Policy 4.1 identifies the objective to deliver an additional 40,000 hotelbed spaces in the capital by 2031 and identifies OAs as a preferred location forhotel development (policy 4.5). Southwark Plan’s saved Policy 1.7 also identifies OAsand town centres as the preferred location for town centre uses including hotels.8.16 In addition saved Policy 1.12 encourages hotel development in highly accessibleareas where they will not result in an over dominance of visitor accommodation.Similarly, Core Strategy policy 10 promotes hotel development in Strategic CulturalAreas such as the LBBB OA where they do not harm local character.8.17 Importantly, the Core Strategy Strategic Policy 2 identifies the Blackfriars North areaas suitable for hotel development. In line with this, the site allocation in the draftLBBA SPD specifically identifies the Site for the delivery of a hotel as part of a ofmixed use development. The delivery of a new hotel as part of the overall mix ofuses is in accordance with policy.8.18 A Hotel Demand and Feasibility Study (May 2012) produced by CBRE Hotels hasbeen submitted as part of this planning application. It assesses the viability andfeasibility of the Implemented Permission and New Application hotel offers.The Implemented 261 Bedroom Hotel8.19 The Implemented Permission included a luxury 261 bedroom hotel occupying levels2 to 26 of the tower building. The hotel would have been aimed at the luxury end ofthe hotel market. Based on the usual profile of corporate travellers in the luxuryPage 25PLANNING POLICY ASSESSMENT