Issue - meetings

REPORT HPR2020/041

Members considered the making of 20 non-immediate Article 4 Directions to

withdraw the permitted development (PD) right for demolition of purpose-built detached buildings used for offices (B1a office, B1b research and B1c light industrial) together with their replacement with a single detached block of flats or a single dwelling house. The Directions would apply to the three Business Improvement Areas (BIA) in Bromley Town Centre; the majority of Strategic Industrial Locations (SIL) and Locally Significant Industrial Sites (LSIS); and all three Office Clusters, all as shown in the Bromley Local Plan (January 2019). The Directions would come into force at least 12 months after being made, subject to confirmation by the Renewal, Recreation and Housing Portfolio Holder after taking account of representations received.

Councillor Michael reported it was the Council’s duty to protect light industrial spaces from conversion. More people were now working from home but space was still required in order for businesses to thrive and earn money.  While Article 4 Directions would not stop conversions from going ahead, developers would need to submit planning applications prior to doing so. The requirement to submit planning applications would lead to higher quality developments being proposed.

The Head of Planning Policy and Strategy agreed to check whether the business park in Biggin Hill and related developments on the land adjacent to it were subject to Article 4 Directions.

Councillor Morgan reported that Article 4 Directions would only cover the conversion of buildings; the change of use for land and/or business would require the submission of a planning application.

RESOLVED that the Portfolio Holder be recommended to authorise the making of 20 non-immediate Article 4 Directions subsequent to a public consultation period of 6 weeks, to withdraw the permitted development right granted by the Town and Country Planning General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 (as amended) (“the GPDO”), Schedule 2, Part 20, Class ZA, which permits a single detached building comprising uses falling within Class B1(a) (office), Class B1b (research) or Class B1c (light industrial) to be demolished and replaced with a residential (Use Class C3) use.