Agenda item

QUESTIONS BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ATTENDING THE MEETING

In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, questions to this Committee must be received in writing 4 working days before the date of the meeting.  Therefore please ensure questions are received by the Democratic Services Team by 5 pm on Wednesday 19 April 2017.

 

Minutes:

The following oral question was received from Mr D Angelo concerning the methods adopted by Bromley Planning Department when dealing with applications where privacy and loss of light were major issues:

 

‘Can you please explain why, when a planning application is made initially and an objection by affected parties has been made, that an amended application for the same property addressing some of the objections is totally ignored and the initial plans passed?

 

Both the original application, the objection and the amended application were with the planning department prior to the final decision being made.

 

Surely by any standards this is totally unacceptable and shows a total lack of logic by the planning department.’.

 

The Chairman responded as follows:-

 

Each planning application is determined on its merits with regard to the development plan and other material planning considerations. Representations made to the application are a consideration and are never ignored.

 

However, an application can only be determined on the basis of the plans submitted by the applicant who has the final choice as to what forms their application. If a proposal would have an unacceptable impact in planning terms, it would be refused planning permission.

 

Supplementary Question:

 

If the applicant withdrew amended plans we would like proof of when the plans were withdrawn.

 

The Chairman repeated that the applicant was free to put in whatever application they wished.  The application would be decided on its merits.

 

Councillor Simon Fawthrop exercised his right as a member of the Committee and asked the following question:

 

Is it possible that there was a miscommunication and that in fact a supplementary application may have been submitted with the original application which then fell when the original application was granted permission?

 

The Chairman responded that his understanding of the circumstances surrounding the application was this:  an application had been submitted and the application had generated objections.  A subsequent amendment was then submitted with the amendment being withdrawn later.

 

The Chief Planning Officer further clarified that Mr Angelo’s complaints relating to the handling of this application  were currently being addressed through the Council’s complaints procedure.

 

 

A further written question (set out below) was received from Mr Martin Ruddick of Bracken Hill Lane, Bromley concerning planning application (15/03400/FULL1) – 20 Blyth Road: Retrospective Planning Application, dismissed on appeal on 21 April 2016

 

Question

 

Mr Kehoe, the Chief Planner, instructed for the enforcement to be issued. Other promises have been made by the Enforcement Offices, and the item was raised at the DCC on 25/01/17 by Clive Lees on our behalf, with the expected issue of the enforcement notice within a couple of weeks.

No notice has been issued -  could the DCC pursue this please.

 

The Chairman’s response was as follows:-

 

The Council has now issued an enforcement notice against the unauthorised development, EN/14/00163/OPDEV in connection with the unauthorised creation of a vehicular access together with the erection of a 3 metre high fence and the formation of a hardstanding for vehicular parking. A copy of the notice can be viewed online at

 

https://searchapplications.bromley.gov.uk/online-applications/enforcementDetails.do?activeTab=documents&keyVal=N3CHL2BT0NA00