MD1471 Royal Albert Dock Section 106 & Section 156 Agreements

Section 106 Agreement

1.1 GLAP entered into a DA with ABP in June 2013. As per the terms of the DA, ABP submitted a planning application to LBN and on the 23rd July 2014 received resolution to grant the permission, subject to the terms of the s.106 agreement being agreed. The s.106 and associated side agreement have now been agreed.

1.2 As is standard practice for s.106 agreements, GLAP as freeholder of the land is a party to this agreement. GLAP requested that the financial liabilities due under the s.106 be made personal to ABP but LBN have requested that the obligations in the agreement are enforceable against GLAP, ABP and their successors in title. The extents of the obligations are set out in Part 2 of this paper.

1.3 To mitigate this risk and ensure that GLAP’s financial exposure to the s.106 liabilities are minimised, GLAP has sought a separate deed of indemnity from ABP and its guarantor under the DA, Dauphin Holdings Group Limited. In broad terms the deed allows GLAP to claim against ABP and Dauphin for any claim made against GLAP under the s.106 and also provides a mechanism for GLAP to retain suitable security for such sums due under the s.106 until they are paid. Further details of the provisions within the deed of indemnity can be found in Part 2 of this paper.

Section 156 Side Agreement

1.4 GLAP, ABP and TfL will enter a further agreement in accordance with s.156 of the GLA Act 1999 in order to secure a range of transport works.

1.5 As distinct from the s.106 agreement, the liabilities within this agreement lie solely with ABP, save for the provision of a long lease to TFL to allow suitable access rights for buses through the site. To ensure that a bus service can be run through the site ABP (and GLAP in their absence) has agreed to grant TFL a long lease for a bus stop. This is to ensure that TFL can secure appropriate access rights over what will be a private road. TFL are to register a restriction on GLAP’s title with this benefit.

1.6 In the side agreement GLAP covenants with TFL that in the event of default on the part of ABP in granting the lease that it will grant the lease contemplated by the ‘Minimum Requirements’ and observe and perform the Minimum Requirements in order for TFL to continue to run the Bus Services on the site.

1.7 There is also an obligation on GLAP to transfer the land required for a platform extension at Royal Albert Dock DLR station to TFL or DLR under this side agreement. GLAP agrees to transfer the land, which is within the red line of land committed to and to be paid for by ABP under the DA, to DLR at ABP’s request.

1.8 A summary of the principal liabilities under the s.106 & side agreement are set out in Part 2 of this paper.

Deed of Indemnity

1.9 At the same time that the s.106 & s.156 are entered into, GLAP will enter into an indemnity from ABP & Dauphin. The deed provides that ABP and Dauphin Holdings Group Limited will indemnify GLAP against all liabilities falling under the s.106 & s.156 (as outlined at 1.3 above). The terms of the indemnity are set out within Part 2.

2.1 Entering these agreements will facilitate the delivery around 4.5m sqft of employment led development, including up to 845 new residential units.

3.1 It is not anticipated that the recommendations in this paper will have any impact on equality groups.

4.1 The risks associated with entering into the s.106 have been mitigated by putting in place the deed of indemnity from ABP and its guarantor Dauphin Holdings Group Limited. The key risks and liabilities to the GLA are set out in Part 2.

5.1 Royal Albert Dock is a development property that is part of a Development Agreement with ABP (London) Investment Ltd and its guarantor. A number of s106 and s156 obligations have been imposed on ABP over the life of the development project. The obligations are to be delivered on a phased basis, therefore each phase must be delivered before the next phase can commence, which restricts the amount of any liabilities to which GLAP may be exposed. As land owner and party to the Agreement GLAP is jointly liable to meet the costs within the s106 and s156 Agreements, should ABP fail to deliver on their obligations. However, in order to manage the exposure within the agreements GLAP has secured a Deed of Indemnity with its development partners, which should indemnify GLAP for all costs and liabilities arising from the planning agreements (s106 and s156.)

6.1 GLAP are being advised by Burges Salmon throughout this project including in relation to the s.106, side agreement and deed of indemnity.

6.2 Section 30 of the Greater London Authority Act 1999 (as amended) (GLA Act) gives the Mayor a general power to do anything which he considers will further one or more of the principal purposes of the GLA as set out in section 30(2) which are:
i. Promoting economic development and wealth creation in Greater London;
ii. Promoting social development in Greater London; and
iii. Promoting the improvement of the environment in Greater London

and, in formulating the proposals in respect of which a decision is sought, officers confirm they have complied with the GLA’s related statutory duties to:

• pay due regard to the principle that there should be equality of opportunity for all people;
• consider how the proposals will promote the improvement of health of persons in Greater London, promote the reduction of health inequalities between persons living in Greater London, contribute towards the achievement of sustainable development in the United Kingdom and contribute towards the mitigation of or adaptation to climate change in the United Kingdom; and
• Consult with appropriate bodies.

6.3 Sections 1 and 2 of this report indicate that the Mayor has the power to proceed to make the decisions as requested within this report.