Issue - meetings

Members considered the Council’s proposed response to the consultation by Sevenoaks District Council on their planning application (19/03935/ADJ).  As an Adjoining Authority Consultation, the Council was required to provide comments on the impacts of the development on the London Borough of Bromley.

Description of application – Outline application for residential development of up to 850 dwellings, incl. affordable housing units and self-build plots; up to 4.75 ha of retirement living; primary school hub with associated sports facilities/outdoor space; sports hub incl. rugby and hockey pitches with separate car park and clubhouse areas; 2 ha of commercial b1 use; local centre incl. commercial, retail and community facilities and undercroft car parking for Knockholt station; country park/open space incl. landscaping, infrastructure and ground works; with all matters reserved except for access (CONSULTATION BY SEVENOAKS DISTRICT COUNCIL).

The Head of Development Management advised Members that further comments had been received from the applicant in response to the issues outlined in the report.

In opening the debate, the Chairman noted that it was a substantial application and the site had not been allocated for housing in the emerging Local Plan.  There were significant implications for infrastructure in the area and a number of concerns had been raised about the impact on local roads.  The Chairman further noted that the development would result in a requirement for increased medical facilities in the area and within the proposed application there was an absence of evidence concerning the impact of the development on local schools in Bromley borough.  In conclusion, the Chairman stated that she considered the proposals to amount to inappropriate development in the green belt.

Councillor Page, as Ward Councillor for Chelsfield and Pratts Bottom stated that the report before the Committee comprehensively set out the various reasons for objection.  Local Ward Councillors in Chelsfield and Pratts Bottom had already submitted objections to the proposals and Councillor Page proposed that the Committee raise objections for the reasons set out in the report.  The motion was seconded by the Chairman.

In relation to the impact on schools, Councillor Huntington-Thresher queried the impact on Bromley schools questioning whether a one form entry school would be as popular as some of the larger schools in the surrounding area which would be able to offer a broader curriculum and better choice of extra-curricular activities.

The Committee noted that it was not yet clear what would be happening with Sevenoaks District Council’s Local Plan.  The site had not featured on the emerging Local Plan but that position could now change.  The Head of Development Management advised Members that the decision of the Committee should focus on the issues within the application and be based on the information that was currently available.

Councillor Fawthrop raised the issue of 100% electric car charging facilities for the development and was advised that this was a matter for Sevenoaks District Council to consider.

Noting that the car park at Knockholt Station was comparatively small meaning that much of the parking was on-street, Councillor Bear  ...  view the full minutes text for item 41