Keeping an eye on what's being planned

While I was at Sycamore House I overheard the duty planning officer advising a developer that his plans did not conform with the new Design Policy so it looks as if it is beginning to kick in.
2009/1456/1500ADV Bakers Arms Public House to be converted into Paddy Power bookmakers. The external part of the building remains although the double wooden doors change to a single metal one. Satellite dishes will lurk on the roof. Internally a major conversion to a bookmakers.
2009/1452 6-8 Oliver Road, Leyton, E10 5JY This will be an interesting test of the council's new Design Policy. The existing buildings are to be demolished and 10 three storey houses built but with flat roofs which does not compliment the existing roofed houses that are adjacent. The new development has an awful (my view!) protruding front to create "covered entrance canopies" and is higher than the adjacent houses.
2009/1464 48 Michael Road , E11 3DY This is a roof extension to a terraced house. Exactly the sort of development the Design Policy should stop.
2009/1515 Essex Wharf, Lea Bridge Road, E5 9RL There is a lot of opposition to development on this site and an earlier application was rejected by the Planning Inspector. Part of the site is in the Zone 2 flood area i.e expect a flood 1 :100 years. The new development tries to argue around this and is for 144 residential units in 5 to 9 storey blocks. We will object to this as the Lee Valley Park Authority want to use it for recreation which would be a better use.
2009/1490/ADV Big Screen, Town Square, Walthamstow E17 The application is to add two 1mx3.6m PVC double sided banners to the Big Screen in the Town Centre. The screen got planning permission as long as it would not be used for advertising so it will be interesting to see what is being proposed. Currently it is wasting electricity at £4,000 per year and is rarely looked at by anyone - a total environmental white elephant which we are paying for!
2009/1488 8 Marlowe Road, E17 3HB This is the old cinema which is now used as the Wood Street Market. The existing building will be demolished and a 2/3 storey residential block with 9 flats will replace it. Our old friend Bob Bennett (former head of planning) is the Agent submitting the application.

Let me know your views.
Adrian Stannard / Planning officer / contact