Issue - meetings

DEFERRED

Description of Application: Replacement shop front (retrospective application). Members noted that this application had been called in by a Councillor and that the officer recommendation was for refusal. This application lay within the Chislehurst Conservation Area.

Oral representations in support of the application were received.

Councillor Mark Smith spoke in support of the application. He said that the proposed changes to the shop front were well designed and enhanced the High Street.

The Chairman said that there was specific guidance concerning shop fronts in the Chislehurst Conservation Area and that in his view the application was not in line with the guidance. The Chairman moved for Refusal. This was seconded by Cllr Andrews. Cllr Fawthrop felt that the ne design was better than the previous one and that a deferral should be considered to mitigate any design issues. Cllr Brock agreed with Cllr Fawthrop. He expressed the view that there were a diverse range of shop fronts in the High Street. A  Member said that the guidance that had been published was not legally binding, it was just guidance.

A vote was taken for Refusal and this was lost by 2 votes to 6. There were seven votes in favour of Deferral.

Members, having considered the report, objections and representations, RESOLVED THAT THE APPLICATION BE DEFERRED without prejudice to any future consideration, to seek further consideration on mitigation measures to offset heritage objection to the new shopfront on basis of too much unbroken glazing, by the enlargement of stall riser and more traditional entrance door in line with  the non-council informally approved ‘Chislehurst High Street Shopfront -  Design Guide’