Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Kate Lymer and Peter Fookes; Councillors William Harmer and Kathy Bance attended as their substitutes respectively.

There were no declarations of interest.

Minute 51, Planning Application - Queens Gardens, Kentish Way

Page 51, 6^th paragraph amended to read:-

'Councillor Mellor said he could find no inappropriate established precedent relating to or in support of the application.  He was concerned with the lack of space.  The Italian Garden contained beautiful flowerbeds and was vital to the centre of Bromley.  The development would result in an intensification of retail use.'

Subject to the above amendment, Members RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 14 February 2012 be confirmed and signed as a true record.

In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, questions to this Committee must be received in writing 4 working days before the date of the meeting.  Therefore please ensure questions are received by the Democratic Services Team by 5pm on Wednesday 29 February 2012.

No questions were received.

The Committee considered the Chief Planner’s report on the following planning application:-

Oral representations in objection to the application were received from local resident, Ms Fiona Howarth.  Whilst Ms Howarth was pleased to learn that the car park was to be replaced, the proposal to erect a structure four times the height of the car park was immeasurably worse.  The bulk of the structure would fill Ms Howarth's outlook and would impact on the amount of sunshine to her balcony.  There would also be a considerable loss of 'ancient lights' and the lack of privacy would affect herself and her neighbours in Ravensbourne Road.

Ms Howarth commented that the development would be more acceptable if the height of the structure was the same as the existing car park.

Referring to objections in the report received from local residents, Ms Howarth urged Members to consider modification of the plans as they currently stood.

Oral representations in support of the application were received from Mr Mark Hoskins of NTR Planning on behalf of the applicant.

Mr Hoskins outlined the professional background of the applicant who had worked successfully with various local authorities in the past.

With regard to regeneration, Mr Hoskins emphasised the following points:-

1)  The development marked a critical point in the Council's wider delivery of the Area Action Plan.

2)  The development would serve as a significant catalyst for Town Centre regeneration.

3)  Bromley Town Centre had lost ground in recent years to Croydon and Bluewater.

4)  It was imperative to encourage appropriate investment into the town centre to redress the imbalance and retain leaking income and expenditure, in this case by providing complementary uses to the town centre's primary retail offer.

Mr Hoskins stated that the scheme would generate an estimated £220 million additional spend within the town centre in the first 10 years of post completion.

In general, the scheme promoted exemplary architectural design and was heavily influenced by the need to protect neighbouring residential amenity in terms of daylight and sunlight, particularly in relation to residential properties within Newbury, Aylesbury and Ravensbourne Road.  The development would be acceptable in highways terms and the implementation of the Council's Parking Migration Strategy would make the highways position even more robust.

Mr Chris Evans, Manager of the Major Developments Team, reported that late objections had been received, some of which repeated issues already summarised in the report on pages 33-35. 

A letter received from the Bromley Civic Society raised concerns with regard to the impact on residential amenity; the effect on  ...  view the full minutes text for item 61.

The Mayoral Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) would be implemented on 1 April 2012.  To assist in identifying planning applications that are CIL liable, a form would be available on the Planning Portal for applicants to complete and to set out existing and proposed floorspace.  A copy of the form and general guidance notes were circulated to Members.

Members were asked to agree that the document be added to the Local Information Requirements list which was adopted by Members at a Committee meeting held on 8 February 2011.

Comments from the Legal Representative were reported at the meeting.  Members were advised that in order to comply with Government guidance, consultation should be carried out over a period of 8 weeks before the additional documentation could be added to the Local Information Requirements list.  Following the consultation period, the decision whether to add the form to the 'local list' should be delegated to the Chief Planner.

RESOLVED that following a consultation period of 8 weeks, the decision as to whether or not the form should be added to the Local Information Requirements list be delegated to the Chief Planner.