26/00314/FULL
Post Office, 279 Wood Lane, Dagenham, Barking And Dagenham, RM8 3NH
Change of use of the ground floor retail unit (Use Class E(A)) to a place of worship (Use Class F(1)) and community centre (Use Class F(2)) including the construction of a single storey rear extension
Principle of Development The proposal would result in the loss of a retail unit within a designated neighbourhood centre, impacting the vitality and function of this parade harmfully impacting on, convenience shopping which meets the day‑to‑day needs of local residents. The proposed development is therefore contrary to the following policies: · Policies E9, SD6, S1 of the London Plan (March 2021) Policies DME3, DMS2, SP4 and SPDG1 of the Barking and Dagenham Local Plan 2037 (September 2024)
Crime and Safety The proposed development would create conflict between users of the rear access, and the movement of delivery and servicing vehicles, thus posing safety risks. Furthermore, the absence of lighting, suitable condition and natural surveillance along this rear access would result in an unacceptable access, providing an unsafe and illegible access route for users. The proposed development is therefore considered to be contrary to the following policies: Policy D11 of the London Plan (March 2021)
Impacts to Neighbouring Amenity The proposed development would be unacceptable with regards to noise and disturbance to the occupiers of neighbouring residential properties arising from both within the building and along the rear access, due to the significant volume of worshippers coming and going simultaneously and congregating at unsocial hours. This would give rise to noise at elevations and times when neighbouring occupiers would not ordinarily experience such activity, resulting in undue harm to the amenity of residents. As such, the proposal is considered to be contrary to the following policies: Policy D14 of the London Plan (March 2021) Policy DMSI3 of the Barking and Dagenham Local Plan 2037 (September 2024)
Sustainable Transport The applicant has failed to demonstrate with robust evidence an accurate modal split and likely on- street parking demand arising from the development. The proposed development is considered to be unacceptable in terms of highway safety, given its location in an area with low access to public transport and within a Controlled Parking Zone, where parking stress and pressures are already high. The scheme would result in unacceptable and unsafe parking behaviour, and further reducing on-street parking capacity for existing residents and users. As such, the proposal is considered to be contrary to the following policies: National Planning Policy Framework (December 2024) · Policies T1, T2, T3, T4 and T6 of the London Plan (March 2021) Policies DMT1, DMT2 of the Barking and Dagenham Local Plan 2037 (September 2024) The above policies can be viewed on the Council's website: www.lbbd.gov.uk/planning. Working with the applicant: In dealing with this application, Be First, working in partnership with the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, has implemented the requirements of the National Planning Policy Framework and the Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2015 to work with the applicant in a