Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Keith Onslow and Will Rowlands.

Apologies for lateness were received from Councillor Jonathan Andrews.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Keith Onslow and Will Rowlands.

Apologies for lateness were received from Councillor Jonathan Andrews.

There were no additional declarations of interest.

There were no additional declarations of interest.

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 Thursday 16 November 2023. 

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 24 November 2023. 

No questions were received.

No questions were received.

APPROVED.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 5 October 2023 be agreed and signed as a correct record.

REFUSED.

Description of Application: Demolition of existing buildings and construction of a mixed use development comprising residential units, ancillary residents' facilities (including co-working space) and commercial floor space (Use Class E) across two blocks, along with associated hard and soft landscaping, amenity spaces, cycle and refuse storage (Revised scheme incorporating a second stair into Block A and Block B, internal layout and elevational changes, and changes to the on street parking bays and footpath along Ringers Road and Ethelbert 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 agent who gave the following responses to Members’ questions:

·  The development included 12 one-bed and 8 two-bed affordable (social rent) units, 6 one-bed and 7 two-bed affordable (shared ownership) units and 35 one-bed and 26 two-bed market units.  This was in line with the London Plan which advocated one- and two-bed units for town centre locations and the Local Plan which stated that the greatest need in Bromley was for one- and two-bed units.  The proportion of affordable units met the 35% target in the London Plan and provision would be made in the Section 106 agreement if this could not be delivered.

·  The daylight assessment for the proposed development was compliant with guidance and a recent modelling exercise establishing that that the open amenity would also meet the requirements for sunlight.  The units were orientated to minimise unacceptable visibility with a generous 15-metre separation between the blocks that was larger than that of some planning applications previously approved by the Committee.  A noise impact assessment had also established that ambient noise levels were acceptable with work also undertaken with a neighbouring church to ensure any issues with noise were identified. 

·  The wheelchair accessible social housing units were scattered across the south-facing elevation of the Ringers Road block which would give tenants a good aspect with abundant light.  Some housing associations had already been approached regarding social housing opportunities, but there was also scope for discussions with the Local Authority on placing its own social housing tenants.  The agent could not commit to sign a Section 106 agreement that would give the Local Authority nomination rights for the social housing units but this request would be taken back to the applicant.  A higher play space contribution had been agreed in principle and the amount of on-site play space had also increased slightly as a result of changes to the proposed units.

·  Significant work had been undertaken over the past year to ensure the development complied with new fire safety regulations, including revising the layout and adding a second access stairway.  The Health and Safety Executive had confirmed that the scheme was now compliant.  Changes had also been made to the internal layout in response to concerns raised by the London Fire Brigade with the Building Control service subsequently advising that any outstanding concerns would be dealt with by building regulations.  The London  ...  view the full minutes text for item 30.

RESOLVED: That the updated terms of reference for Development Control Committee and Plans Sub-Committees be approved subject to a minor amendment and referred to Council for adoption in the Constitution.

  Report CSD23147

The report presented a proposed update to the terms of reference for the Development Control Committee and the Plans Sub-Committees as listed in the Council’s Constitution to enable these Committees to determine a range of types of application in Schedule 2 of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 (as amended) that were not currently covered in the Functions Regulations.

In considering the proposed update, the Chairman queried whether Members would retain the right to call-in planning applications in their wards.  The Legal Representative confirmed that the right to call-in was specified in another part of the Council’s Constitution and that the proposed update would simply expand the power of Members to call-in a wider range of planning applications.  A Member requested that Paragraphs 2.08 and 2.09 of the proposed terms of reference be further amended to make this clear as follows:

“2.08.1. Planning and Conservation and Building Control. All the Council’s powers and duties relating to town and country planning and development control and building control as specified in Schedule 1 of the Functions Regulations, including, where appropriate, determining cases relating to individual sites and to exercise the prior approval functions under Schedule 2 to the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 (as amended). (Call-in still applies.)

2.09.1. To exercise all the powers and duties of the Council as local planning authority as set out in Schedule 1 of the Functions Regulations and to exercise the prior approval functions under Schedule 2 to the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 (as amended) (Call-in still applies.)”

RESOLVED: That the updated terms of reference for Development Control Committee and Plans Sub-Committees be approved, subject to the above amendments, and referred to Council for adoption in the Constitution.

NOTED.

The Committee considered the performance of the Planning Service against various Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) as at November 2023.

In response to a question from the Chairman on KPI P11: Building Control Applications – Volumes, the Assistant Director: Planning clarified that approximately 40% of planning applicants used the Local Authority’s Building Control service with the remaining 60% using other approved inspectors.  This percentage of market share compared well with other local authorities.  Another Member underlined the importance of ensuring that KPI data was reported to Members in the most effective way and advised that he was working with Officers to review how data was presented in future.

RESOLVED: That the update be noted.