Agenda, decisions and minutes

Venue: Bromley Civic Centre

Contact: Kerry Nicholls  020 8461 7840

Items
No. Item

24.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE AND NOTIFICATION OF SUBSTITUTE MEMBERS

Decision:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Jonathan Andrews, Peter Dean, Christine Harris, Tony Owen and Alison Stammers and Councillors Mike Botting, Dr Sunil Gupta, Kira Gabbert, David Jefferys and Mark Smith acted as their respective substitutes.  Apologies for absence were also received from Councillor Melanie Stevens.

 

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Jonathan Andrews, Peter Dean, Christine Harris, Tony Owen and Alison Stammers, and Councillors Mike Botting, Dr Sunil Gupta FRCP FRCPath, Kira Gabbert, David Jefferys and Mark Smith acted as their respective substitutes.  Apologies for absence were also received from Councillor Melanie Stevens.

 

Apologies for lateness were received from Councillor Dr Sunil Gupta FRCP FRCPath.

25.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Decision:

NONE.

Minutes:

There were no additional declarations of interest.

26.

QUESTIONS BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ATTENDING THE MEETING

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.

 

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 Wednesday 21 September 2022.

Decision:

TWO WRITTEN QUESTIONS AND ONE ORAL QUESTION WERE RECEIVED FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.

Minutes:

Two written questions and one oral question were received from members of the public and are attached at Appendix A.

27.

CONFIRMATION OF THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 26 JULY 2022 pdf icon PDF 442 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

APPROVED.

Minutes:

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 26 July 2022 be agreed and signed as a correct record.

28.

MATTERS OUTSTANDING FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS pdf icon PDF 194 KB

Decision:

NOTED.

Minutes:

Report CSD22110

 

The Committee considered a report outlining matters outstanding from previous meetings.

 

RESOLVED: That progress on matters arising from previous meetings be noted.

29.

(21/00741/FULL1) - 33 MASONS HILL, BROMLEY, BR2 9HD pdf icon PDF 3 MB

Additional documents:

Decision:

REFUSED.

Minutes:

Description of Application:  Demolition of the existing buildings and redevelopment of the site for a new part 8/part 11 storey building comprising flexible commercial floorspace (Use Class E) at ground floor and residential units (Use Class C3) above, along with the associated amenity space, ancillary refuse and recycling storage, cycle parking and wheelchair parking.

 

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 applicant.

 

In considering the application, the Chairman observed that while the proposed development would contribute to the Borough’s housing supply, its close proximity to the culverted River Ravensbourne was a significant concern.  The proposed development had also not provided the required 35% on-site affordable housing required for such developments in the Development Plan.  In response to a question from Councillor Shaun Slator, the Principal Planner explained that the Environment Agency, a statutory consultee on this application, had specified that a minimum 6-metres offset would be required between the culvert and any proposed development to allow access for essential maintenance, emergency works and repairs or replacement of the culvert, and that the application proposed a much smaller offset.  Councillor Chloe-Jane Smith further reported that while unable to attend the meeting, the Ward Councillors for Bromley Town had requested she make representations on their behalf stating their agreement with Officers’ recommendations to refuse the proposed development.

 

The Chairman moved that the planning application be refused as recommended.  The motion was seconded by the Vice-Chairman, put to the vote and CARRIED unanimously.

 

RESOLVED: That PERMISSION BE REFUSED as recommended, subject to any direction by the Mayor of London, for the reasons set out in the report of the Assistant Director: Planning.

30.

URBAN DESIGN GUIDE SUPPLEMENTARY PLANNING DOCUMENT – CONSULTATION DRAFT pdf icon PDF 251 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

ENDORSED, SUBJECT TO MEMBERS’ AMENDMENTS.

Minutes:

Report HPR2022/45

 

The Committee considered a report outlining the draft Urban Design Guide Supplementary Planning Document and requesting that the Committee endorse its publication for six weeks public consultation.

 

The Head of Planning Policy and Strategy introduced the Local Authority’s Urban Design Officers who made a presentation to the Committee.  Members were advised that the draft Urban Design Guide had been designed to inform and engage developers, applicants, planning officers, residents and all other stakeholders involved in proposals for development in Bromley.  The aim of the Urban Design Guide was to support good planning practice by all parties with a view to ensuring that development across the Borough was sustainable and of high design quality. 

 

In discussion, a Member observed that while there were a number of photographic examples of good design within the Urban Design Guide, there were very few photographs from within the Borough.  The Urban Design Officer explained that these photographs had been chosen to illustrate key design principles and that appropriate photographs of Bromley design could only be used within the Guide where identified schemes served as examples of good design practice.  The Officer noted that suggestions submitted as part of the consultation exercise could be considered for inclusion in any adopted version of the Urban Design Guide.  Another Member queried whether a move to a more design-led approach to development could lead to over-densification and the Head of Planning Policy and Strategy clarified that while the former London Plan had a density matrix, the new London Plan took a more bespoke design approach considering each site on its merits and ultimately supporting higher quality development across London.  The Member asked why the Mavelstone Road Conservation Area was grouped with other Conservation Areas in Chislehurst within the Borough Places section of the Urban Design Guide when it was located in Bickley and Sundridge Ward.  The Head of Planning Policy and Strategy advised that the description of distinct areas of the Borough was based on areas of character rather than Ward boundaries.

 

In response to a number of questions from a Member who was concerned about development density in the North West of the Borough, the Head of Planning Policy and Strategy confirmed that areas designated as green open space were set out in both the Local and London Plans and that access to green open space remained a key factor in considering whether proposed developments were appropriate.  Work was underway to commence a review of Bromley’s Local Plan, and this would take into account the importance of continued and improved access to the Borough’s green open space. The Head of Planning Policy and Strategy explained that the Local Plan review was at a very early stage and that the scope of required evidence had not yet been fully established.  The Member further queried whether there was any requirement for retail units within mixed-use developments to fit with the character of the surrounding area.  The Head of Planning Policy advised that while it was not possible  ...  view the full minutes text for item 30.

31.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 1972 AS AMENDED BY THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT (ACCESS TO INFORMATION) (VARIATION) ORDER 2006, AND THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2000

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.

32.

(21/00741/FULL1) - 33 MASONS HILL, BROMLEY, BR2 9HD - PART 2 (EXEMPT) APPENDIX

Decision:

NOTED.

Minutes:

RESOLVED: That the Part 2 (Exempt) Appendix be noted.

33.

APPENDIX A - PUBLIC QUESTIONS TO THE DEVELOPMENT CONTROL COMMITTEE pdf icon PDF 103 KB

Additional documents: