Issue - meetings

Description of application – Partial demolition and redevelopment of the Klinger factory and associated buildings to provide 15 units to be used for B1(c), B2, B8 uses together with associated access and parking.

Joint Report 16/05782/FULL1 and 16/05784/LBC.

Oral representations from the Council’s Design Champion, Councillor Nicholas Bennett in support of the application were received at the meeting.  Councillor Bennett reported the following:-

The site had a chequered history and the building had been empty for roughly 20 years and had been subjected to vandalism.  The building was on the risk register but remained an important building within the Borough and was a good example of the modernism of the period.  Councillor Bennett reported that he supported the recommendations in the report, particularly recommendation 7 – that the car parking area shall be used only by customers and employees of the premises at the application site and for servicing of the premises.

It was reported that, contrary to what was stated in the report, the site was not in the Green Belt but adjacent to it.  Part of the access fell within the London Borough of Bexley and a Grampian condition would be added requiring works to the access to be completed.

Councillor Arthur welcomed the application which  secured the building for its original purpose.  The conditions outlined in the report were appropriate and Councillor Arthur moved that planning permission be granted.

The motion was seconded by Cllr Simon Fawthrop.

Having considered the report and representations Members unanimously RESOLVED that PERMISSION BE GRANTED as recommended, subject to the conditions and informatives set out in the report of the Chief Planner and an additional condition as follows:

Before the development hereby approved is first brought into use the access to the site from the existing highway shall be constructed in accordance with a design and specification first submitted to and approved in writing by the London Borough of Bexley (under Bexley Council ref. 16/03132/FUL)

REASON – To ensure a satisfactory means of access to the development in the interest of highway safety, to comply with Policy T18 of the Unitary Development Plan.