Agenda item

Circulated under separate cover.

Report DRR16/059

 

At its meeting on 11^th July 2016 the Development Control Committee had considered the draft Local Plan Document prior to a six week consultation and submission to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.The Draft Local Plan built on the previous stages of consultation on the emerging Local Plan; the Core Strategy Issues Document (2011), the Options and Preferred Strategy (2013), the Draft Policies and Designations (2014), the Draft Site Allocations and Further Policies and Designations (2015) and Draft Local Green Space consultation (2016). It took into account consultation responses and the evidence base supporting the plan-making process and was prepared in general conformity with the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) (March 2012) and the London Plan 2015 as amended by the 2016 minor alterations.

 

Three sets of supplementary papers, including a summary of specific changes made following consideration by Development Control Committee, had been circulated.

 

The following issues were raised –

 

Chapter 3 – Spatial Strategy

 

A Member asked whether all the land designated as Green Belt had been examined to ensure that it was actually worthy of such a designation. Officers referred to the Options and Preferred Strategy document and The London Plan. The National Planning Policy Framework and The London Plan did not allow Green Belt designation to be removed without exceptional circumstances. It was accepted that the quality and character of Green Belt land could vary.

 

Chapter 4 - Living in Bromley

 

Page 82 – Housing Supply

 

The possibility that had been raised at Development Control Committee of transferring provision for the bus station at Bromley North to the Hill Car Park site to allow for more residential development at Bromley North, and it was suggested that the possibility of moving the bus stands be included. It was accepted that this was a complicated site with multiple ownership and disputes about height and density of development, and there was intense pressure to develop around railway sites.

 

Page 87 - Provision of Affordable Housing

 

A concern was raised about whether the policy was clear enough on the justifications for not providing affordable housing being exceptional.

 

Page 105 - Specialist and Older People’s Accommodation - Supporting Text

 

A Member queried whether the benchmarks for provision of specialist and older people’s accommodation for Bromley at 140 units per annum might lead to an inflow of people with high needs. It was clarified that this was supporting text rather than policy or a target, and based on demographics.

 

Chapter 5 - Supporting Communities

 

Page 125 - Opportunities for Community Facilities

 

A Member queried whether the Council was duty-bound to provide for community facilities in vacant buildings. Officers advised that this was a matter of planning policy rather than a duty.

 

Page 127 – Social Infrastructure in New Developments

 

It was suggested that convenience stores should be included as an example of a useful community facility. There was a concern that this might be too specific, and imply that other facilities should be excluded, but Members agreed that officers should add some suitable examples.

 

Page 140 - Table 4 – Proposal to meet primary need

 

A Member asked whether the proposed expansion of Farnborough Primary School set out in the table would influence current planning applications. Officers confirmed that Draft Local Plan would have limited weight at this stage.

 

Chapter 6 - Getting Around

 

Page 163 - Safeguarding Land for Transport Improvements

 

Members commented that there should not be a need to safeguard land for a rail depot at Bromley North and that reference to the Overground should be included. 

 

Chapter 7 – Bromley’s Valued Environments

 

Page 191 – Areas of Special Residential Character (ASRC)

 

A concern was raised that each area had different characteristics, and that one policy could not fit all. Officers responded that ASRC policy was significantly enhanced from the UDP; there was a description of each of the ASRCs in the Plan and Members agreed that these could be expanded if necessary. 

 

Chapter 8 - Working in Bromley

 

Page 215 - Biggin Hill Strategic Outer London Development Centre

 

A Member queried whether the Plan allowed sufficient scope for expansion at Biggin Hill Airport. The Portfolio Holder for Recreation and Renewal considered that the Plan did take account of needs based on current evidence. 

 

Page 233 - Metropolitan and Major Town Centres

 

Members agreed that the wording should be more positive, especially for Bromley and Orpington, and focus on the Council’s desire to see the Area Action Plan fulfilled – paragraph 4.40 in the London Plan referred to an increased demand for retail space in London by 2036.

 

Page 234 - Metropolitan and Major Town centres - Supporting Text

 

Members agreed that the penultimate paragraph (“To maintain and enhance Bromley’s competitive position…”) should be moved to the end of the section to give a more positive and aspirational emphasis.

 

Appendix 8 - Highways Proposals Maps

 

Page 303 Bromley A21, Hayes Lane/Homesdale Road

 

A Member stated that an updated map was available. Members agreed that the description of the purpose of the proposals in the heading of the map should also be revised as set out in the Supplementary Papers.

 

Additional Site Specific Issues (first supplementary pack)

 

Page 13 - Schedule

 

It was confirmed that the change to Urban Open Space at St Hugh’s Playing Field, Bickley referred solely to the land outlined in red on the plan at page 31.

 

The Leader asked officers to circulate an indicative timescale setting out key dates towards the adoption of the Local Plan. Officers advised that this could be achieved through the Local Development Scheme. He also thanked officers for their work on this hugely important document for the borough.

 

RESOLVED that Appendix 1 to the report as amended by the Supplementary Papers and in particular following consideration by Development Control Committee, and taking into account the comments set out above, be agreed as the Draft Local Plan subject to the Chief Planner, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, being authorised to make alterations and finalise supporting documents as required prior to its publication.