Issue - meetings

PERMISSION, subject to any direction by the Mayor of London.

Description of Application: Phased development including demolition of existing buildings and erection of four blocks to facilitate a mixed-use development providing up to 230 dwellings, up to 2,714sqm of commercial/town centre floorspace and associated communal amenity space and play space, cycle parking, refuse storage and plant space in four buildings ranging between 3 and 16 storeys. Provision of public realm and new pocket park at ground floor with associated landscaping improvements. Provision of 24 commercial car parking spaces and 8 blue badge spaces for the residential accommodation.

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

Oral representations objecting to the application were received from the Chair of the Penge Forum who gave the following responses to Members’ questions:

·  At 16-storeys, the proposed development was too tall in an area where buildings did not typically rise above 3-storeys and would overshadow a large number of local residential dwellings.  Penge residents would prefer a development scheme that allowed the retail environment to thrive and did not increase density in an area which already had the highest density housing in the Borough.  Local people also wanted at least 50% affordable housing and a higher proportion of Social Rented than Shared Ownership units offered in any development which was not the case with this scheme.

·  Local traders were concerned about the reduction of retail space which almost halved the available retail space in the Penge SE20 Business Improvement District (BID).  It was also considered likely that the trade of destination shops in the area would be affected by the reduction in commercial car parking spaces.  The existing car park at the Blenheim Shopping Centre was fairly well used and usage was certainly in excess of the 24 commercial car parking spaces provided by the development. 

·  The Penge Forum had recently held a public meeting to discuss the difficulties in accessing medical care in Penge and Cator Ward.  The Penge Forum estimated that, allowing for a couple in one bedroom per unit and one person in other bedrooms, the proposed development could bring approximately 602 new residents into the area which would increase pressure on existing General Practitioner and dental services.  School capacity was also an issue with no secondary school for boys in the local area.

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

·  The developer was committed to delivering 35% affordable homes with its partner, Clarion Housing Association, which was a policy compliant proportion on a per-room basis and would provide 37 Social Rented and 36 Shared Ownership units.  Social Rented homes required significant additional subsidy to be viable and the developer would continue discussions with the Greater London Authority regarding the feasibility of increasing the proportion of affordable housing.  A policy compliant level of cycle spaces had been included and the scheme would also deliver a 10% provision of wheelchair accessible dwellings and 3% provision of wheelchair accessible parking totalling  ...  view the full minutes text for item 37