Agenda item

Consideration was given to the consultative Options and Preferred Strategy document which formed a key stage in the preparation of Bromley’s Local Plan.  Member comments would be reported to a meeting of the Executive on 6 February 2013 at which time the document would be considered for approval for public consultation.

Members scrutinized the document and conveyed the following comments with suggested amendments (in italics):-

Homes (page 22, first two lines) - Amend to read: '…density of development, spatial standards, parking requirements and improving the choice of accommodation available.'

Homes (page 22, second objective) - Include reference to domestic housing extensions as these formed a vital element of planning within the Borough. 

Business, employment and the local economy (page 22) - This section should include reference to the use of digital communication and highlight the importance of the digital economy for the future of the Borough.

Built Heritage (page 23) - Reference should be made to the continual monitoring of built heritage.

Transport (page 24) - Include reference to the development of car parks around train stations in the Borough.  The Head of Planning Strategy and Projects agreed to report back to Members following discussions on this point with Highways Division and the Environmental Health Officer.

Transport (page 24) - The development of dedicated cycle routes/lanes should be incorporated into the objectives.

Location (page 31, paragraph 4) - Include reference to protect Metropolitan Open Land.

As a general point, it was noted that the document contained the words ‘Development Management’ throughout.  Members requested that these be replaced with the words 'Development Control’ as agreed at a meeting of the Local Development Framework Advisory Panel held in December 2012.

Option 6 (page 32, paragraph 2, line 7) - A request to delete reference to 'back gardens’ was rejected as this line quoted London Plan Policies.  The proposed Bromley approach included the importance of all residential gardens.

Option 9 (page 33) - Amend to read:- 'The design of all new housing developments should be of a high standard and layout and enhance the quality of local places whilst respecting local character, spatial standards, context and density.

Option 17 (page 37, paragraph 3) - There were concerns that the wording for this paragraph, including reference to ‘10% of 1-9 houses’ in numberical terms did not make sense.  Officers were requested to re-word the paragraph.

Option 19 (page 38) - delete the words 'a mix of'.

Option 30 (maps) - Members requested that the maps be amended to clarify locations within the Borough and for the descriptions to be revised accordingly.

Option 32(ii), (page 53, second bullet point) - Incorporate reference to the possible impact on Green Belt land.

Supporting Communities (page 57, final line) - amend to read:- '..over 60 years of age recorded in 2011 than in 2001, almost half of the total….'

Option 35 (page 58) - amend to read:- 'To support the quality of life in all Bromley's neighbourhoods through the appropriate provision and retention of a range of social infrastructure such as health and education provision,……..'

Option 40 (page 63) - It was reported that this option included the protection of school playing fields from being sold off.  The Head of Planning Strategy and Projects stated that it possibly included the protection of education sites in instances where a school had closed down however, she would check this point and report back to Members.  It was suggested that the words 'ensuring proposals are sympathetic to Green Belt land' be inserted into the Option.

Option 41 (page 63) - Replace the word 'positively' with 'appropriately'.

Option 46 (page 67) - Amend to read:- '…….securing enhancement where appropriate opportunities arise whilst maintaining the openness of Green Belt land’.  The Acting Chief Planner explained that Green Belt policy applied to proposals anyway so it would not be necessary to reiterate that point.

Option 51 (page 69) - Amend to read:- 'To explore the opportunities for Burial Sites.'

Getting Around (page 71, 3^rd bullet point of the second paragraph) - Amend to read:- 'High car dependency and high mobility requirement amongst much of the population;'

Page 80 - It was suggested that an additional option 57a be inserted relating to congestion problems within the Borough to read something along the lines of:- 'Support additional car parking facilities at transport interchanges ie. train stations’.  It was also suggested that parking facilities should accommodate the use of Oyster cards.

The Head of Planning Strategy and Projects commented on the need to be mindful of a possible conflict with the Transport Strategy; she agreed to look into this matter further and report back to Members.

Option 66 (page 84) - There were concerns that the term ‘overground’ could be confused with the TfL brand ‘Overground’.  Members therefore requested that the paragraph be amended to read ‘Heavy rail link - Improving heavy rail links between Bromley North and Lewisham.'

Open and Natural Space (page 87) - The definition of Green Belt land should be extended to include Metropolitan Open Land and urban open space.

Option 77 (page 90) - Amend to read:- '…protection of the Areas of Archaeological Importance and Sites of Special Scientific Interest.'

Option 98 (page 111) - Concerns were raised about managing the contraction of shops in high streets.

Option 100 (page 111) - Councillor Bennett J.P. was mindful that separate access should be provided at all times for residents living in accommodation situated above shops.

Option 108 (page 115) - Amend to read:- 'Proposals for development and alterations to existing building should…….'

Subject to the comments and suggestions set out above, Members RESOLVED that Appendix B, as the draft Options and Preferred Strategy, be endorsed and referred to the Executive to agree to public consultation.