Issue - meetings

Report DRR13/142

At the request of the Beckenham and West Wickham Working Group, Members considered the possibility of conjoining all existing conservation areas in Beckenham to form one single Beckenham Conservation Area.

Although Councillor Mellor agreed in principle with the review, he could not support it on the basis that if extended, the conjoined conservation areas were likely to include certain sections which lacked sufficient architectural and historical interest which would seriously undermine the ethos of conservation areas.  Councillor Mellor therefore moved not to support the recommendation. Councillor Michael agreed and seconded the motion.

Councillor Jackson took a contrary view and commented that conservation areas recognised the spatial standards of building lines and reflected the general feel of an area.  The areas under consideration held uniformity and the relationship between them supported the grounds for merging together.  For this reason, Councillor Jackson proposed that Members agree to the alterations to the Beckenham Conservation Areas.

Councillor Tickner, Ward Member and Chairman of the Beckenham and West Wickham Working Party, informed the Committee that as there were no legal constraints, it was entirely up to the Council to decide which parts of the Borough were designated as conservation areas.  Currently, Beckenham consisted of disjointed conservation areas which could be merged to form one entire area including the High Street.  If this was not done, it was possible that inappropriate developments could be constructed in the areas located between the individual conservation areas. 

Whilst Councillor Fawthrop agreed with the recommendation, he requested that the words ‘as a minimum’ be added to the end of the sentence relating to the consultation on a smaller High Street conservation area.

RESOLVED that:-

1)  Members did not support the proposed alterations to the Beckenham conservation areas; and

2)  consultation on a smaller High Street conservation area as a minimum be endorsed.