Issue - meetings

REFUSED

Description of application – Variation of Condition 4 of planning permission Ref: 09/03023/FULL1 to (a) allow up to 72 children and 20 staff to be accommodated at any one time and (b) allow the use of the premises as a children's nursery between 7.00am and 7.30pm Monday to Fridays inclusive at 62 Kings Hall Road, Beckenham.

Oral representations in support of the application were received.  Oral representations from Ward Member, Councillor Peter Fookes, in objection to the application were received at the meeting.  He recognised the shortage of nursery places in the area and in 2009 had supported the application for an increase in the number of children from 36 to 58 but felt that a further increase in numbers and the proposed extension of opening times would be an over intensive use of the site in a residential area. 

Councillor Douglas Auld had visited the site and was also concerned with noise from the play area that affected the neighbours in Densole Close whose gardens were only 10 metres from the curtilage.

Councillor Charles Joel referred to the Planning Inspector’s comments contained in the first paragraph of Page 150 of the Chief Planner’s report.

Members having considered the report, objections and representations, RESOLVED that PERMISSION BE REFUSED for the following reason:-

1.  The proposals would result in an overintensive use of the property, which would be detrimental to the amenities of nearby residents by reason of noise and disturbance thereby contrary to Policy BE1 of the Unitary Development Plan.