Agenda item

REFUSED

Description of application amended to read, ‘Erection of detached building comprising 5 No two bedroom flats’.

Oral representations in objection to and in support of the application were received at the meeting.  It was reported that further objections to the application had been received together with an objetion from Orpington Field Club.

Ward Member Councillor Alexa Michael objected to the application as it was a sensitive site in a conservation area of archaeological significance and adjacent to the green belt. The attractive open space sloped near Keston Ponds and the residents of Forest Lodge enjoyed a view of the pond and, in Councillor Michael’s opinion, a flatted development on the site would destroy the setting of the building and garden grabbing.

Councillor Douglas Auld agreed with Councillor Michael that the proposed development would be harmful in the conservation area.

Members having considered the report, objections and representations, RESOLVED that PERMISSION BE REFUSED for the following reasons:-

1.  The proposed development by reason of its location, size, scale and bulk on land adjacent to the Green Belt, would not maintain the visual buffer,

openness, spatial qualities or undeveloped nature of the site, harmful to the character and visual amenity of the Green Belt contrary to Policies H7

Housing Density and Design, G6 Land adjoining the Green Belt of the

Unitary Development Plan (2006) and National Planning Policy Framework (2012).

2.  The proposed development by virtue of it siting, scale, design, bulk and

location is considered to be harmful to the special character and setting of

the neighbouring Locally Listed building, and character and appearance of

the wider Conservation Area contrary Policies H7 Housing Density and

Design, BE1 Design of New Development, BE10 Locally Listed Building,

BE11 Conservation Areas of the Unitary Development Plan (2006); Policies

7.4 Local Character and 7.8 Heritage Assets and Archaeology of the

London Plan (2015) and the Bromley, Hayes and Keston Commons

Conservation Area SPG and Supplementary Planning Guidance No 1

General Design Principles.