Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Katy Boughey and David Livett whose absence was due to the rescheduling of this meeting.

No declarations of interest were received.

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 Friday 4 December 2015.

No questions were received.

Description of application - Demolition of existing building and erection of 12/13 storey mixed use building to comprise commercial 881.5 sqm (GIA/retail floorspace at ground and part first floor level (Class A1/A2/A3/B1) and 69 residential units at upper floors (27 one bed, 31 two bed and 11 three bed), 46 car parking, 132 cycle parking, refuse stores and landscaping and other associated works.

The Planning Development Control Officer reported that Members should have received an e-mail from the applicants containing a letter and legal advice note which made reference to a cross-section comparing the previous and current proposals which were not included so a copy of the submitted cross-section had been placed in front of Members.  It was confirmed that consideration of the contents of the submission, did not result in any alteration to the officer recommendation except for a very minor alteration to the initial sentence of the first recommended ground for refusal which was amended to read:- “The site is not a suitable location for the proposed tall building.”.  The submission suggested that the report did not provide an analysis of the planning balance of the advantages and disadvantages of the scheme.  Whilst it was considered that the report provided detailed analysis of the relevant issues, to avoid any ambiguity in light of the applicant’s submissions, the on balance recommendation set out in the report was based on the weighing up of the potential contributions of the development to housing provision including affordable housing, the town centre environment, Business Improvement Area and employment floorspace versus the harm that would be caused by the size and design of the building and its impact on the surrounding area including residential amenity. 

A number of late objections had been received in relation to the revised details submitted in November, the majority of which confirmed that the amendment had not altered residents’ views; in particular, several residents pointed out that overlooking would still be possible from recessed balconies.

The following inaccuracy on page 26 of the Committee report was noted:-  The increase between the appeal scheme and the current submission (the latest version with new façade) was related to habitable rooms NOT the number of windows.  The application scheme (both the original submission and the amended drawings) had 46 habitable rooms overlooking the Palace Estate, the Appeal scheme had 44.  This was an increase despite the lower height.

The reference made to 7 affordable units on page 30 of the report was now out of date as the applicants were proposing 10 in accordance with the Council’s independent viability assessment.

Further comments had been provided by Transport for London who were disappointed that the car parking provision had not been reduced from 46 spaces; they therefore requested a Car Parking Management Plan be implemented to monitor usage of the spaces.  They were also disappointed with the Electric Vehicle Charging Point provision and requested this be increased to meet London Plan standards.  A planning condition concerning the demountable car stacker was also  ...  view the full minutes text for item 42.

Report DRR15/112

Member agreement was sought on the proposed process for inviting sites to be nominated by local communities to be assessed as Local Green Space (LGS) by the Council.  The process would include a six week consultation period on the draft criteria for the assessment of potential LGS sites and a revised Draft Local Green Space Policy.  The suggested approach was triggered by the Executive decision made on 15 July that a petition to designate Bull Lane allotments as Local Green Space should be taken into consideration as a formal submission as part of the Local Plan process.

It was reported that designation of Local Green Space could only be applied through the plan making process.  Should a suggested site already be protected, e.g. designated as Green Belt, it was unlikely that designation would bring additional benefits to the site and that it would be taken forward as local green space. 

Councillor Michael believed this to be a positive move and one which should be pursued.  However, she also drew Members’ attention to the fact that not all land would remain protected if very special circumstances were proven for development of a particular site.

Councillor Bosshard was pleased with the introduction of the LGS as a way of protecting green space for local community use.  The Executive Committee’s decision in July 2015 that a petition to designate Bull Lane allotments as Local Green Space should be taken into consideration has only just reached the six-week consultation stage; as this would need to be incorporated into in the Local Plan, officers were asked if the process could be accelerated.

RESOLVED that the Executive Committee be recommended to endorse:-

1.  the proposed local criteria for assessing potential sites for the Local Green Space designation and the revised Draft Local Green Space Policy for consultation; and

2.  the process for inviting local communities to submit sites for consideration as Local Green Space and comment on the revised Draft Local Green Space Policy.

Report DRR15/109

The Council adopted the current Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) in 2006 when it was one of the statutory documents required to be produced as part of the plan-making process.  The SCI sets out the Council’s approach to the consultation undertaken as part of the planning application process as well as the Local Plan process.

It was necessary to amend the current SCI to reflect the various legislative and regulatory changes that had taken place since 2006.  It also highlighted the technological advances made in the Council’s consultation process and the pressure on resources.

RESOLVED that the draft Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) be endorsed for the Executive to agree for public consultation.

Report DRR15/110

Members considered an amended Local Development Scheme (LDS) for 2015/17 which set out a revised timescale for the preparation of the Local Plan for the Borough.  It also showed an indicative timescale for the preparation of a local Community Infrastructure Levy and a new Planning Obligations Supplementary Planning Document (SPD).

Referring to page 102 of the report and noting the omission of the updated SPG in relation to the Petts Wood Area of Special Residential Character (ASRC), Councillor Fawthrop sought assurance from officers that this would be included in the Local Plan document.

RESOLVED that the Executive be recommended to approve the revised Local Development Scheme for 2015/2017 as the formal management document for the production of the Bromley Local Plan.

The report sought Members’ approval to add a condition to the unissued Listed Building Consent for the Old Town Hall.  The condition was omitted in error when the application was previously considered and granted by Members at the DCC meeting held on 8 September 2015. 

If Members agreed to the additional condition, officers could then proceed with issuing a decision notice.

On 8 September 2015, the Development Control Committee granted Listed Building Consent for renovation and new build works for the Old Town Hall.  The application was approved subject to conditions however, a condition requiring secure matching of internal and external works for making good was omitted in error.  To enable officers to proceed with issuing the decision notice, Members were requested to include this condition and grant Listed Building Consent as previously agreed.

It was reported that discussion had taken place with the applicant who was satisfied that the condition be included. 

RESOLVED that Listed Building Consent be GRANTED as previously agreed, with the inclusion of the additional condition as set out in the report.

The Chairman moved that the Press and public be excluded during consideration of the item of business listed below as it is likely in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings that if members of the Press and public were present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information.

RESOLVED that the exempt Minutes of the meeting held on 29 October 2015 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.