Associates from Adams Hendry Chartered Town Planners presented this item to the committee. They advised that Local Development Orders (LDOs) provide permitted development rights for specified types of development in defined locations. The original LDO for London Gateway Logistics Park was made in 2013 (known as ‘LDO1’). Following its expiry in 2023, an interim LDO was made in February 2024 (known as ‘LDO1.5’). LDO2 is now proposed to continue to help accelerate the delivery of appropriate development on the remainder of the Logistics Park. This will allow up to 733,776 m2 of commercial floorspace and amenity uses on the site of which 412,326m2 is already completed or committed under LDO1 and LDO1.5, with 321,450 m2 of commercial floorspace remaining to be consented.

As the “competent authority” the Council under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 (as amended) is required to determine if a plan or project may have an adverse impact on a site designated under the same (or preceding Regulations) prior to any consent or permission being determined. The process of undertaking this assessment is known as a Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA). The ‘Report to Inform a Habitats Regulations Assessment: London Gateway Logistics Park Local Development Order 2.0’ dated August 2024 has been prepared to provide information to the competent authority and has been scrutinised by Natural England as the statutory nature conservation body. It is recommended on the basis of the information available, that the Council formally determines that the proposed development to be permitted by LDO2 will not adversely affect the integrity of a European site or a European offshore marine site either alone or in combination with other plans or projects.

Members queried whether there were any provisions to manage constructors’ behaviour on site and being respectful of surrounding residents. It was confirmed that conditions would be reviewed during the next decision.

There were no further questions and members skipped the debate.

Recommendations

Note the content of the “Report to Inform a Habitats Regulations Assessment London Gateway Logistics Park Local Development Order 2.0” dated August 2024 and the consultation responses received; b) Formally determine, on the basis of the information available, that the development proposed by LDO2 will not adversely affect the integrity of a European site or a European offshore marine site either alone or in combination with other plans or projects.

Proposed: Councillor Byrne

Seconded: Councillor Shinnick

For (6): P Arnold, G Byrne, Heath, Liddiard, Shinnick, Sisterson

Against: (0)

Abstain (0)

Recommendations approved.

Associates continued to discuss the LDO2. Advising that the London Gateway Logistics Park is a world leading logistics centre sitting alongside the London Gateway Port, the UK’s fasted growing deep-sea container terminal, located on the north bank of the River Thames just 25 miles from central London. The two components together, form London Gateway. Local Development Orders (LDOs) provide permitted development rights for specified types of development in defined locations. Members were advised the original LDO for London Gateway Logistics Park was made in 2013 (known as ‘LDO1’) and granted planning permission for a total of 829,700m2 of commercial floorspace together with ancillary uses and a range of supporting servicing facilities, plant, landscaping, and infrastructure. LDO1 expired in November 2023 with 337,225m2 of commercial floorspace completed or committed. An interim LDO was made in February 2024 (known as ‘LDO1.5’) and permits up to 85,000m2 of B8 floorspace. LDO1.5 expires on the making of LDO2 or within 12 months, whichever is the sooner. LDO1 and LDO1.5 have been successful in streamlining the planning process by removing the need for developers to make a planning application. The purpose of LDO2 is to continue to help accelerate the delivery of appropriate development on the remainder of the Logistics Park, particularly where it will promote economic, social or environmental gains for the area. It is recommended that LDO2 is made to allow up to 733,776 m2 of commercial floorspace and amenity uses on the site, of which 412,326m2 is already completed or committed under LDO1 and LDO1.5, with 321,450 m2 of commercial floorspace remaining to be consented.

Members queried the percentage of freight that may move to rail and the impact of heavy goods vehicle traffic. It was confirmed that mitigation will review the impact of movement and National Highways are involved in the early stages. They have consulted on this extensively. The Highways officer added that the current assessment of impact is that up to 20% additional capacity could potentially be moved to rail use and that though the overall level of traffic is less than that predicted in the original LDO traffic assessment that the levels at peak times are somewhat higher than predicted and this has been accounted for with the proposed mitigation.

Members expressed concerns around coping with traffic demands particularly for those that live close to the Manor Way. It was confirmed that there will be a range of measures in place to monitor this including speed cameras and a scheme to monitor noise impact.

Members noted there was mention of the section 106 funding that offered improvements on the M25 junction and wanted further clarity on this. It was confirmed that the scheme with National Highways would increase capacity through junction 30 and reduce traffic on the A13.

There were no further questions and members skipped the debate.

Recommendations

a)    Note the Council’s earlier decision (if that be the case) that the development to be authorised by the London Gateway Logistic Park Local Development Order 2 (“LDO2”) will not adversely affect the integrity of a European Site or a European offshore marine site either alone or in combination with other plans or projects.

b)    That the Chief Planning Officer be authorised to make LDO2 subject to the signing of the s106 legal agreement.

c)    Note requirement for Council to advise the Secretary of State that LDO2 is made.

d)    To delegate authority to the Chief Planning Officer in consultation with the Planning Committee Chair to make minor non-material amendments to the LDO2 prior to being made. 

Proposed: Councillor Shinnick

Seconded: Councillor Byrne

For (6): Councillors P Arnold, Byrne, Heath, Liddiard,

Shinnick, Sisterson

Against (0)

Abstain (0)

Recommendations Approved.