One location on the Spencer Dock development had required redesign because of the effects of wind, an expert on interaction of wind and buildings for the developers told the hearing.
Mr Tom Lawson said the architect who designed the development, Mr Kevin Roche, had made satisfactory changes to correct the problem. He said that in his experience it was unusual for there to be only a single location where redesign should occur in a project of the Spencer Dock size.
Mr Lawson said the problem was "a small detail of one building" which occurred at the back of the proposed National Conference Centre near the two-storey podium. The redesign was required as there would have been excessive wind gusts at that point. A "wind-cutter" was added to the building.
Mr Lawson said he assessed the development in terms of how the buildings conditioned the wind within the development with the aid of a model.
He said he had worked on the London Docklands Development Corporation to advise on windtunnel studies and if the proposed Spencer Dock development had come before him there "would be no questions about the wind environment".
Mr David Healy, an environmental scientist, for the resident communities made a submission to the hearing on air pollution. He expressed his concern for chemicals which were produced within built-up areas. Mr Healy presented the hearing with various studies to show the effects of chemicals on such areas.
Lead, benzene, nitro-dioxide and PM10s (particular matter under 10 microns in size) were some of the chemicals which if produced would have effects on health for those living within the area, Mr Healy said. Nitro-dioxide caused respiratory problems in children; levels of PM10s had been linked to mortality rates; benzene caused cancer; and lead had been shown to also be harmful, Mr Healy said.
High buildings close together created an "urban canyon situation". In this scenario wind passed over the buildings, vortexes were created between buildings and air pollution was contained within the development.
Mr Healy said he had not analysed what the effects of air pollution would be on Spencer Dock.