Issue - meetings

Description of application - Outline application with all matters reserved except highways access for comprehensive phased regeneration of Crystal Palace Park. This will include: conservation and repair of heritage assets; removal of existing hard surfaces; alterations to ground levels and tree removal; landscaping including planting of new trees; demolition of existing buildings and structures; creation of new pedestrian paths/vehicular access roads / car, coach and cycle parking; changes of use including part of the caravan site to part public open space and part residential; erection of new buildings and structures comprising: up to 2300sqm for a cultural venue (Use Class D2), up to 530sqm of park maintenance facilities (Sui Generis) including the dismantling and reconstruction of existing maintenance depot; up to 150sqm information centre (Use Class D1); up to 670sqm for a community centre (Use Class D1); up to 3779sqm of educational institution at the Capel Manor College Farm Site (Use Class D1) of which 3399sqm comprises educational buildings and 380sqm comprises ancillary shelters/ outbuildings; and up to 16,352 sqm of residential (Use Class C3) accommodation to provide up to 210 residential dwellings, together with associated and ancillary works including utilities and surface water drainage, plant and equipment. Full planning permission is sought for alteration to highways access at Anerley Hill Gate entrance, Penge Gate car park, Old Cople Lane (Rockhills Gate), Sydenham Gate car park and the creation of three additional accesses for the residential development at Rockhills and Sydenham Villas.

The Committee was addressed by the Head of Regeneration who advised that the phased approach to the development had been designed to mitigate the financial risk posed to the Local Authority in forward funding the heritage works by up to £2.5M to be reimbursed from the land sale proceeds.  This approach would also ensure that works would be completed on the most at-risk heritage structures before work on the residential development commenced.  Historic England had secured the necessary specialist support to undertake the heritage works and additional funding for these works would be sought from other sources including grant applications which would emphasise the amenity value of Crystal Palace Park to both Bromley and its neighbouring boroughs.  Set timescales for the completion of the various phases of the work had not been agreed although the overall scheme had an end date of ten years which gave a degree of certainty. 

The Planning Officer then gave a brief presentation, providing an overview of the application and proposed addendum in the report.

Oral representations in support of the application were received from the Head of Regeneration who gave the following responses to Members’ questions:-

• The proposed Heads of Terms for the shadow S106 legal agreement specified the provision of 24 on-site units of affordable housing within the residential scheme.  The Local Authority was required by statute to maximise the income from the land sale, and should there be a financial surplus, consideration could be given to delivering additional affordable housing units on-site or, via a payment in lieu, in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5