Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Michael Turner and Councillor Colin Hitchins.  Councillor Nicholas Bennett and Councillor Hannah Gray attended as their respective substitutes.  Apologies were also received from Councillor Kieran Terry.

There were no additional declarations of interest.

In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, questions that are not specific to reports on the agenda must have been received in writing 10 working days before the date of the meeting – by Friday 1^st April.

Questions specifically relating to reports on the agenda should be received within two working days of the normal publication date of the agenda.  Please ensure that questions specifically relating to reports on the agenda are received by the Democratic Services Team by 5 pm on Monday 11 April 2022.

Four questions were received.  These are attached at Appendix A.

The minutes of the meeting held on 9 March 2022, were agreed and signed as a correct record.

West Wickham ward

Description of Application - Refurbishment and extension to West Wickham library including a new cafe and community space; redevelopment of the car park site on Croft Avenue to provide a mews of 6 houses comprising 12 flats (6 x 1 bed and 6 x 3 bed) and a detached three storey block of flats comprising 14 units (3 x studio and 11 x 1 bed); with associated bike and bin stores, car parking, ancillary space and private and communal amenity space and alterations to the access road.

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 Architect/Planning Consultant who gave the following responses to Member questions:-

• As part of the pre-application process consideration had been given to different site layouts.  The current proposal was put forward as a result of the reduced impact on neighbouring properties and reduced overlooking/overshadowing.
• Were permission to be granted, tender material would be developed in 2022 with site preparations in December 2022.  It was anticipated that the overall build time would be 18 months with completion in Spring 2024.
• In terms of electrical vehicle charging, the proposals reflected minimum requirements. However, all spaces could be upgraded.
• In relation to light pollution, the design of the scheme did not include excessive additional lighting.  Details of what time the lights in the library would be turned off had yet to be discussed.
• In terms of the design, the aim was to deliver a contemporary new look through the use of modern and innovative materials.  Screens provided shade and detailing, and the proposed extension was powder coated.
• There was provision of two separate public and accessible toilets on the ground floor of the library.
• A transport statement had been submitted via a consultant and this demonstrated that the service road was wide enough to accommodate service vehicles and refuse trucks and that there was adequate turning space. 
• Car parking surveys had been conducted as part of the transport statement and discussions with the Council’s Transport Department had confirmed that car parking provision was adequate.
• There was currently no parking provision for occupants of 105 Station Road and no requirement for the specific provision of parking for this site however this could be considered in the future.
• The car park behind the library was for residents of the development although the library had existing car park provision.
• In terms of the mix of units, the market was currently providing 2-bed units. Consequently, the Council had sought a concentration of 1 and 3-bed units to fill the gap.
• Wheelchair units were accessible via a lift.
  
  

The Chairman reminded the meeting that neither Ward Councillor could move or second a motion as they were both acting as alternates. Committee Member and Ward Member Councillor Bennett opened the debate recognising that there was a social duty to address the problem of homelessness across the Borough.  That said, Councillor Bennett confirmed that he  ...  view the full minutes text for item 107.

Report DRR000000

The Heritage at Risk Register included historic buildings and sites at risk of being lost through neglect, decay or deterioration. There were currently 25 heritage assets within Bromley included on the latest iteration of the register. The report provided an update on these assets where information was available.  The report had been prepared for the meeting of the Renewal, Recreation and Housing Policy Development and Scrutiny Committee (RRH PDS) on 16 November 2021 with the update in Table 1 reflecting the known situation with Bromley’s ‘Heritage at Risk’ assets as of November 2021. An extract from the minutes of the RRH PDS meeting on 16 November 2021 was provided at Appendix 1.

The Committee noted the report and received updates concerning some of the specific sites listed.  Members noted that in some cases urgent action was required.  The Principal Conservation Officer reported that enforcement action could be taken and it was valuable to have the support of Historic England.

Members requested that in future a more focused report be presented to Members.  The report should set out any action that needed to be taken, the timeframe for any action and who was responsible for delivering the necessary work.  It was also suggested that it would be helpful for the report to include a photograph of each of the assets on the Heritage at Risk register, the date the asset went on to the register, a record of correspondence with owners of assets, dates of any meetings that had been held and a summary of any major changes to the register since the last update to Members.

RESOLVED: That the updates on various sites within Bromley that are included on the Historic England ‘Heritage at Risk’ register be noted.

The Chairman to move that the Press and public be excluded during consideration of the items 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 Press and public be excluded during consideration of the items of business referred to 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.

The following summaries

refer to matters involving exempt information

The chairman to move that the report be considered as a matter of urgency in view of the potential threat of demolition to a significant building.  

Report HPR2022

RESOLVED: That the report be considered as a matter of urgency in view of the potential threat of demolition to a significant building. 

The Committee considered the report and supported the recommendations.

Noting that this was the final Development Control Committee meeting of the 2018-2022 Council term, the Chairman thanked Members and Officers for their commitment and input over the years.  In turn, the Committee thanked the Chairman for her hard work in what had been some challenging meetings over the year.