Agenda item

REFUSED

Description of application - Demolition of existing dwelling and detached garage and erection of detached two storey building with accommodation in roof comprising 7 two bedroom flats with vehicular access from Crofton Lane to serve 9 car parking spaces, refuse store and cycle store (OUTLINE).

Oral representations in support of the application were received. 

Oral representations from Ward Member, Councillor Charles Joel, in objection to the application were received at the meeting.  He spoke on behalf of Crofton Residents’ Association, Crofton Place and Sparrows Drive Residents’ Association and local residents. He referred to the third paragraph on page 84 of the Chief Planner’s report under the heading, ‘Comments from Consultees’. Councillor Joel said this misled Members as it should have referred to an access to an unused garage.  The Chief Planner’s report stated that refuse collection vehicles would reverse onto the site and he was concerned that a potential overspill of parking onto the site may lead drivers to reverse onto Crofton Lane also.  Previous applications had been refused and planning appeals dismissed and in Councillor Joel’s opinion those reasons for refusal and dismissal had not been overcome or addressed.

The Chief Planner’s representative reported that the recommendation on the Chief Planner’s report had been amended to, ‘Refuse’, following receipt of the planning appeal decision received after publication of the agenda relating to application DC/1602147/OUT dated 14 March 2017 and revised comments from Highways Division were circulated to Members.

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 size, bulk and layout would appear incongruous and out of character with the surrounding area and would be ultimately harmful to the character of locality, contrary to Policies BE1 of the Unitary Development Plan (2006) and Supplementary Planning Guidance No 1 and 2, London Plan Policies 3.4, 3.5 7.4 and 7.6 (2016) and the objectives of the National Planning Policy Framework (2012).

2.  The proposals would result in an increase in vehicular movements to and from the site in close proximity to the junction of Crofton Lane and Crofton Road, which is considered to have a detrimental impact on road safety, thereby contrary to Policy T18 of the Unitary Development Plan.