Issue - meetings

(A copy of the ‘Local Plan – Potential Sites, Draft Policy and Designation Alterations’ referred to as Appendix 1, will be made available in the Members’ Room and published on the Council’s website shortly.  A paper copy will also be available at the meeting.)

Report DRR15/070

Members were requested to endorse Appendix 1 as the consultative ‘Local Plan – Potential Sites, Draft Policy and Designation Alterations’ stage in the preparation of Bromley’s Local Plan.  Members were also asked to refer the document to the executive for approval for the purpose of consultation with residents, partner organisations and the wider community.

The Chairman reported that progress in drafting the Local Plan had been reviewed by the Local Development Framework Advisory Panel. The Potential Sites, Draft Policy and Designation Alterations’ stage focussed on designating sites in Wards for particular purposes.  The latest updates incorporated an increased housing target of 641 units; minimal parking provision and variations to the Biggin Hill SOLDC.

The following comments were made:-

•  Living in Bromley (page 135) - the first sentence within the coloured table should read 'The Council will make provision for at least 641 additional homes per annum over the fifteen year Plan period which will be facilitated by: ….'.

•  Getting Around (page 136) - with regard to the provision of off-street parking for 1-2 bedroom accommodation, clarification was sought on what constituted 0.7 space.

•  Safeguarding land for transport investment (page 136) - One Member was pleased to note the Council's proposal to explore with TfL the potential for improvements at the junction of the A232 Croydon Road and the A233 Westerham Road and Oakley Road as currently this was an extremely precarious junction.  Feedback on progress achieved in this matter was requested.

•  Potential Draft Site Allocations and Designations (Table 1 - page 139) - One Member was unhappy with the proposal to redesignate land at Turpington Lane for educational use due to the winding nature of the surrounding roads and the inability to prevent vehicles from speeding.

•  Potential Draft Site Allocations and Designations (Table 1 - page 140) - The Maybury Works in Worsley Bridge Road was currently industrial, commercial and employment use.  The former Dylon site located adjacent to this had been designated for commercial use.  Redesignating The Maybury Works to mixed residential would result in an over-intensive use and a request to retain its current designation was requested.  Members were informed that retaining the site's current designation would be difficult because whilst it provided employment for 40-60 people, approximately one third of the site remained unused.

•  Potential Draft Site Allocations and Designations (Table 1 - page 140) - in regard to Bromley Civic Centre, the words "and other town centre uses" was vague and should be clarified.

•  Potential Draft Site Allocations and Designations (Table 1 - page 141) - One Member opposed the expansion of the site at Higham Hill Farm, Layhams Road, Keston.  The land was used as a buffer between the road and the showman's site.  A long-term strategy was required to locate plots elsewhere.

•  School sites should be safeguarded and one Member asked whether this could be done at the determination stage of an application.  The Chairman reported the Education Department considered it necessary to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 24