Issue - meetings

Petts Wood and Knoll and Cray Valley West wards

Report HPR2021/055

The Committee considered a report recommending the designation of the Covert Conservation Area (shown at Appendix 1), the Thrifts Conservation Area (shown at Appendix 2) and the extension of the Chislehurst Road Conservation Area (shown at Appendix 3). The proposed boundaries were informed by an independent assessment and were subject to public consultation between October and December 2020. Details of the representations received and how these representations have been addressed were set out in the report.

The report had been considered by Development Control Committee on 2 November 2021. The Committee had supported the recommendations, with the additional view that four houses in The Covert which were originally excluded from the proposed conservation area as they lacked architectural merit should be included in order to enhance the conservation area and protect against inappropriate development. The proposed change was illustrated in the map at page 167 of the agenda. At the request of a ward Councillor, the Committee had also suggested that Article 4 Directions across the Conservation Areas and the Areas of Special Residential Character should be checked to ensure that they were consistent.

RESOLVED that the Executive be recommended to approve the designation of the Covert Conservation Area (shown at Appendix 1 to the report), with the addition of the four houses previously excluded, the Thrifts Conservation Area (shown at Appendix 2) and the extension of the Chislehurst Road Conservation Area (shown at Appendix 3).

Petts Wood and Knoll and Cray Valley West wards

Report HPR2021/055

The report recommended the designation of the Covert Conservation Area, the Thrifts Conservation Area and the extension of the Chislehurst Road Conservation Area. The proposed boundaries were informed by an independent assessment and were subject to public consultation between October and December 2020. Details of the representations received and how these representations had been addressed were set out in the report.

Cllr Fawthrop opened the debate as local Ward Member and proposed an additional recommendation that the Article 4 Direction be progressed in accordance with the ‘BEAMS’ report.

The motion was seconded by Cllr Owen, put to the vote and CARRIED.

Cllr Fawthrop asked about the status of existing Article 4 Directions if the proposed Conservation Areas come into force. The Head of Planning Policy and Strategy confirmed that existing Article 4 Directions would remain in force.

Cllr Fawthrop highlighted that the purpose of the proposal was to preserve one of the few remaining garden suburbs in London. In the last few years, it had become apparent that there was a lack of consistency with the decisions of Planning Inspectors. At a meeting with the then Minister for Housing attended by Petts Wood Ward Councillors and the Chairman of the Development Control Committee, a recommendation was made by the then Minister for Housing that a Conservation Area should be pursued so that appeal decisions might be more consistent in future.

Cllr Fawthrop requested that the Article 4 Directions across the Conservation Areas and ASRCs be looked at to ensure they were consistent. 

Cllr Fawthrop proposed that in order to enhance the Conservation Area in the future and protect against inappropriate development, the four houses in The Covert with no architectural merit that were currently excluded from the proposals be included. Cllr Fawthrop asked whether this would require further consultation. The Head of Planning Policy and Strategy considered that re-consultation would not be required but noted that any proposed areas to be added to the proposed Conservation Area must be justified in line with legislation.

The motion was seconded by Cllr Michael from the Chair, put to the vote and CARRIED.

RESOLVED: That

1. The designation of the Covert Conservation Area (shown at Appendix 1 of the report), the Thrifts Conservation Area (shown at Appendix 2 of the report) and the extension of the Chislehurst Road Conservation Area (shown at Appendix 3 of the report) be endorsed.
2. The Article 4 Direction be progressed in accordance with the ‘BEAMS’ report.
3. In order to enhance the Conservation Area in the future and protect against inappropriate development, the four houses in The Covert with no architectural merit that were currently excluded from the proposals be included.