Hoping for some support for my application to the Planners to be allowed to build a new home for myself on Baltic Street (… one more step to solving our housing  crisis). Link at the end >

My Planning Application 25/00905/PIP, Baltic Street West London EC1Y 0ST, a self-build single storey dwelling, etc.

Firstly and very importantly, I want everyone to be aware that I fully intend to retain the 2 mature trees, as stated in my Application text and NOT as the Planning Officers’ Monday 30 JUNE 2025 report to Housing Management and Almshouses Sub (Community and Children's Services) Committee which stated I want to remove them!!! 

"I do not consider that this land is surplus to housing requirements because the area provides a vital amenity buffer to the residents of Hatfield House, and it is adjacent to the entrance to the car park. It would also require the removal of two trees which is contrary to our Local Plan in relation to the protection of trees and open space.”

ref: Public reports pack 30062025 1400 Housing Management and Almshouses Sub Community and Children.pdf

Please do notify all and sundry of this misleading and unfortunate mistake by Planning. 

Although this is only a Permission in Principal application- will the Corporation allow any new self-build homes - some details of my hoped-for-detailled-proposals might help?  These will all be covered in a future Full Planning Application, if the Corporation agree in principal.

I hope to:

1. Finally make use of an almost derelict piece of land 60 years after GLE was built.
2. Remove the existing paving to allow rain to feed the trees and reduce storm flow into the sewage system.
3. Screw jack foundations to point load and minimise damage to the existing tree roots, and allow adjustment as the trees flourish under my care, and reduce CO2 production in cement.
4. Timber frame construction to minimise disruption during the build from dust & a long timeline, and trap CO2 in the material.
5. Increase planting on the site as a garden/ orchard - ref my earlier proposal of 16/04/2022 to Facebook's GoldenLaneEC1 group
6. Visual intrusion for Hatfield neighbours to be minimised by a single storey building under the tree canopies, so no reduction in daylighting or sunlight for Hatfield residents a swell below the horizon.
7. Amenity buffer to be improve buffering for Hatfield residents amenity by inserting a  building and garden fencing pushing pedestrian gatherings further from and screened from Hatfield House- currently only 5metres of open air separates residents from the open public area, an extension of Highways footways.
8. I hope to include a water feature at the sharp end to replace the long-lost Goswell Road Besley Memorial fountain and to improve residents’ amenity in future hot Summers.  ref my earlier proposal for a Great Fire 1940 Memorial, Facebook's GoldenLane EC1 group      
9. To future-proof my home by including a garage as I approach old age and a disabled driver status, having lost my invalid car garage when the new school was built and struggled with an unlit and insecure  basement garage at the far side of GLE almost under the Shakespeare.
10. Overlooking & privacy- no worse than any of the existing Hatfield gardens or those elsewhere in GLE.
11. CityPlan2040 compliance, and specifically Policy HS8 self and custom housebuilding
12. Maximises housing provision.
13. Inside the Corporation’s defined ‘residential area’.
14. Outside the Listed boundary.
15. Save the City Corporation landscaping costs of £224,000 (2015 estimate by Corporation officers)
16. Escape the feudal tyranny of leasehold

I do hope that this will help you make and promote positive comments of my proposal.  Please do get in touch if you wish more detail or whatever.

Iain Meek

iaintsmeek@gmail.com

07960 173 903

To comment (ideally support :) formally:

https://www.planning2.cityoflondon.gov.uk/online-applications/appli...