Issue - meetings

DEFERRED

Description of application – Demolition of existing buildings on site.  Redevelopment to provide a food store (Class E) and associated access, car parking, and landscaping works.

The Planning Officer gave a brief presentation, overview of the application and update on the report.

Oral representations in support of the application were received from the applicant who gave the following responses to Member questions:-

• Over time the scheme had evolved and care had been taken, especially in relation to the side elevation, to ensure that it was in keeping with the residential area.  A more contemporary approach had been taken to entice people to the area.

• Access onto the A21 Farnborough Way was designed as left in and left out to minimise traffic disruption.  The traffic island in the A21 was intended to prevent drivers turning right onto the A21.

• In designing the proposals, there had been an awareness of concerns around overdevelopment. As such, the proposed store was of average size for an Aldi store.

• There had been extensive engagement in terms of design and the applicants considered that they had developed a sensitive design with the most recent proposals receiving support from local residents.

• Delivery times were set out within the noise statement which had been submitted with the application and there was currently no intention to vary delivery times.

• There had been a request to quantify the number of cars travelling into Farnborough Village and the view had been reached that it would be an insignificant number in terms of a quantifiable impact.

• It was not considered that a new Aldi Store would have a significant impact on the local stores in Farnborough Village.  Aldi offered a limited number of lines and did not have in-house concessions such as a butcher.  Only 20% of sales space was dedicated to non-food products.

Committee Member and Ward Member Councillor Joel reported that while the applicants had made an attempt to address concerns around bulk, size, traffic movement, deliveries and the impact on the A21 and Farnborough Village, concerns had not been entirely addressed.  It was noted that at peak times there was bad traffic congestion on Farnborough Way heading into Bromley.  There were also concerns that staff travelling to the site by car may park in surrounding roads.  Cllr Joel cited problems with car parking at the Lidl store in Locksbottom and suggested that a similar issue may arise with this site if approved.  Consequently, on the basis of design and car parking, Councillor Joel supported the Officer recommendation and moved that the application be refused.

Councillor Terry reported that he generally supported the application but considered that there was some further work needed in terms of design and landscaping.  The proposals offered welcome opportunities for local employment.  Councillor Terry suggested that some of the comments in the report around car parking were confusing and the comments from Transport for London around the lack of a local bus service were unhelpful given that they were the responsible authority for contracting out  ...  view the full minutes text for item 72