Agenda item

GROUNDS TO CONTEST APPEAL

Description of application - Three/ four storey block comprising 50 sheltered flats for the elderly including communal facilities, refuse/ recycling storage and bicycle/ electric buggy parking, with 16 car parking spaces.

Oral representations in support of the application were received at the meeting.  Comments from Ward Member, Cllr Roxy Fawthrop, in objection to the application were reported.

This planning application had been considered by Plans Sub-Committee 4 on 16 August 2012 and deferred specifically to seek an increase in the number of car parking spaces on the site. Councillor David McBride said he had been a Ward Member for fourteen years and during that time there had been severe parking problems in High Street, Orpington, and that as the Applicant had been unable to increase the car parking spaces from the original application, that this site could not accommodate the proposed development.

Councillor Simon Fawthrop proposed the decision to contest the appeal, having taken into account his and other Members local knowledge including petitions from local residents, in relation to problem parking in that area.  This application had previously been deferred by Plans Sub-Committee 4, and in so doing, had been reasonable and given the applicant an opportunity to provide more car parking spaces without incurring additional costs.

Members having considered the report, objections and representations, RESOLVED to CONTEST THE APPEAL AGAINST THE NON-DETERMINATION of this planning application on the following grounds:-

1.  The proposal would constitute an overdevelopment of the site, by reason of the inadequate off-street car parking provided, contrary to Policy T3 of the Unitary Development Plan.

2.  In the absence of a completed S106 legal agreement, the proposal does not meet the requirements of Policy IMP1 of the Council’s Unitary Development Plan in respect of planning obligations for affordable housing and health provision and as such the proposed development is unacceptable.

(Councillor Peter Dean wished his vote for permission to be recorded.)