Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Keith Onslow and Councillor Colin Hitchins attended as his substitute.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Keith Onslow and Councillor Colin Hitchins attended as his substitute.  Apologies for absence were also received from Councillor Kevin Kennedy-Brooks.

Councillor Colin Hitchins declared that he was employed by London Biggin Hill Airport in relation to Agenda Item 5: (23/03484/OUT) - 53 Jail Lane, Biggin Hill.

Councillor Colin Hitchins declared that he was employed by London Biggin Hill Airport which neighboured the site being considered at Agenda Item 5: (23/03484/OUT) - 53 Jail Lane, Biggin Hill.  Councillor Colin Hitchins could remain in the meeting for the discussion and vote.

In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, members of the public may submit one question each on matters relating to the work of the Committee. Questions must have been received in writing 10 working days before the date of the meeting - by 5.00pm on Wednesday 22 May 2024. 

Questions seeking clarification of the details of a report on the agenda may be accepted within two working days of the normal publication date of the agenda – by 5.00pm on Friday 31 May 2024. 

Two questions for oral reply and one question for written reply were received at the meeting.

Two questions for oral reply and one question for written reply were received at the meeting and are attached at Appendix A.

Regarding the question about the existing Planning Portal, a Member outlined the regular difficulties she experienced in accessing information and requested that the IT Division check the performance of the Planning Portal on Plans Sub-Committee meeting days.  The Assistant Director: Planning agreed to follow this up with the IT Division after the meeting.  Another Member who was Chairman of the Executive, Resources and Contracts PDS Committee underlined the need to identify whether further action was required to ensure the existing Planning Portal was fit for purpose and to support the introduction of the new Planning IT system within agreed timescales.

APPROVED.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meetings held on 5 March and 15 May 2024 be agreed and signed as a correct record.

REFUSED.

Description of Application: Outline application for demolition of existing dwellings (51 and 53 Jail Lane), formation of access off Jail Lane and construction of up to 50 new Discount Market Rent (DMR) dwellings (Use Class C3) with priority for ex-service personnel, forces families and key workers, comprising a mix of houses and maisonettes together with associated parking, amenity space, landscaping and refuse. All matters reserved.

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

Oral representations from visiting Ward Member, Councillor Sophie Dunbar objecting to the application were received at the meeting.  Councillor Dunbar explained that she was speaking on behalf of local residents, business owners and the Aperfield Green Belt Action Group who all strongly opposed the application.  Councillor Dunbar stated that in her view, the developer had not demonstrated the very special circumstances that were required for the development of land that was designated as Green Belt.  The Member also objected to the planning application in relation to the increased pressure that 50 new households would place on local services, including General Practitioner and dental surgeries and local schools that were already at capacity, as well as to the road network and increased demand for on-street parking.  Public transport in the Biggin Hill area was generally poor, relying on infrequent bus services with no train, tube or tram links, and the area was largely unsuitable for cycling due to steep inclines.  Additionally, the site proposed for development was an ecologically diverse open space that hosted a range of wildlife such as badgers, owls, bats and slow worms, although this had not been adequately captured in the ecological survey.  The development would also require the felling of mature trees to the rear of the site that served as a natural screen and sound barrier to the adjoining airfield and would impact the quality of life of existing and new residents if removed.

The Chairman invited Councillor and Ward Member Melanie Stevens to open the debate. Councillor Stevens voiced support for the points made by Councillor Dunbar and underlined that, while she agreed that housing was needed in the Borough, this particular site was designated as Green Belt and no very special circumstances had been demonstrated that would outweigh the harm caused by the development.  The site plan showed the removal of two Category B mature trees and the natural habitat of an area that was teeming with wildlife would be eroded.  There were also concerns around the impact of the new estate on the surrounding area including the safety and security arrangements of London Biggin Hill Airport and by placing additional pressure on an already struggling water and waste management infrastructure that would be further exacerbated by the soakaway arrangements for the development and could increase the risk of intermittent flooding.

Councillor Simon Fawthrop agreed with the points raised and stated that in his view, both the principle of development and the impact on green infrastructure and heritage from the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

APPROVAL OF DETAILS.

Description of Application: Details of reserved matters (appearance, landscape, access, layout and scale) for Sites A and B, Phase 1A of the Crystal Palace Park regeneration development, pursuant to Condition 1 of outline planning permission DC/20/00325/OUT, for the demolition of Ranger's Lodge and Information Centre and the construction of a new Information Centre and Rangers Maintenance Building, the conservation and repair of heritage assets within the Geological Court of the Tidal Lakes and Dinosaurs, and Italian Terraces; relocation of the Paxton Bust; alterations to hard surfaces, ground levels and tree removal; landscaping enhancements including introduction of new trees and planting; accessibility improvements; provision and rearrangement of pedestrian paths/vehicular access routes, car and cycle parking and new gateway feature at Penge Gate; provision of new play space, new seating, lighting, wayfinding; drainage and ground works.

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

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

·  The Information Centre had been designed using sustainability principles.  While solar panels were not viable due to being overshadowed, it was planned to harvest rainwater by directing hard surface run-off to green areas on site.

·  Feedback from the Orpington Field Club and Bromley Biodiversity Partnership Sub Group around increased planting of native species had been incorporated into the plans for the park.  Additional bat surveys were also being undertaken and consideration would be given to foraging corridors during the phasing of the works.

·  There were no plans to connect Site B to the Crystal Palace Subway at this stage of the Crystal Palace Park development, but this was likely to form part of a future phase of works.

In opening the discussion, Councillor Tony McPartlan spoke in support of the proposal and was particularly pleased to see the level of step-free access delivered across the site.  Councillor Alisa Igoe noted that four disabled parking bays and two Electric Car (EV) Charging Points were designated for the Penge Gate Car Park and asked whether it would be possible to deliver EV Charging Points to some or all of the disabled parking bays.  The Planning Officer confirmed that the requests for dual Disabled Parking Bays/EV Charging Points would be covered by informatives as part of the pre-commencement conditions within the Parking Design and Management Plan.  Native species planting would also be covered by informatives within the

Landscape and Ecological Management Plan.

Councillor Tony McPartlan moved that the approval of details be AGREED as recommended for the reasons set out in the report of the Assistant Director: Planning. The motion was seconded by Councillor Chloe-Jane Ross, put to the vote and CARRIED unanimously.

RESOLVED: That APPROVAL OF DETAILS BE AGREED as recommended for the reasons set out in the report of the Assistant Director: Planning.

RESOLVED.  That the report be noted.

Report HPR2024/024

The Committee considered a report providing an update on the progress of the Local Plan review and the intention to undertake the review under the new plan-making system.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

RESOLVED: That it be noted that the Rockhills Application Stage GDV to be used for the purposes of section 106 agreement that is to be finalised in respect of application 20/00325/OUT is £55,037,400.

Report CSD24071

The Committee considered a report setting out an issue that had arisen in connection with the Application Stage Gross Development Value (GDV) that would be used for the Section 106 agreement for the Crystal Palace Park regeneration planning permission.

RESOLVED: That it be noted that the Rockhills Application Stage GDV to be used for the purposes of the Section 106 Agreement that is to be finalised in respect of Application 20/00325/OUT is £55,037,400.