Description of application – Demolition of the existing pavilion, construction of a part single and part two storey multi-sports facility to provide an indoor multi-sport hall, physio treatment rooms, multi-function rooms, café and function area and relocation of an existing floodlight.

Oral representations from Mr Chris Hilditch in support of the application included the following statements:-

·  He was a Trustee of the Blackheath and Bromley Harriers who were proud to present the planning application for the provision of the new facility.

·  The clubhouse was being sold in order to facilitate the funding for the new facility.

·  No objections to the application had been received.

·  Numerous letters of support had been received including letters of support from sporting bodies.

·  Thanked Officers for the support that had been provided during the development of the application.

·  This would potentially be a great facility for the community.

·  There would be access to disabled toilets on both floors on the new facility.

·  There would be increased usage through encouraging more groups to use the facilities for Pilates, yoga, strength and conditioning and buddy fit classes, as well as the Park Run.

·  The public would be allowed to use the toilet facilities.

·  There may be 3 or 4 social functions throughout the year which would require the facility to remain open beyond 6pm at the weekend if permitted.

Oral representations from Ward Member Councillor Neil Reddin in support of the application were received at the meeting. Councillor Reddin noted that the proposed facility had been a long time in development, with a great deal of work going on behind the scenes. Councillor Reddin acknowledged the impact on the Green Belt but suggested that the report may have overstated the impact on the Green Belt as any effect on openness would be marginal.  Councillor Reddin did however concur with the report that very special circumstances existed.  For the reasons set out, all three Ward Councillors supported the application.

The Head of Development Management summarised the report in a brief presentation to Committee and outlined the key considerations of the application and the reasons for the recommendation. The Head of Development Management explained that the development would constitute inappropriate development in the Green Belt but that officers considered that very special circumstances had been demonstrated. A document of site photographs and key drawings from the application was circulated to Members.

In opening the debate, Councillor Bear proposed that permission be granted given the very special circumstances that existed and the mitigating circumstances. 

The motion was seconded by Councillor Fawthrop who suggested that the following two additional conditions should be added:

1. With 28 days’ notice, the facility be permitted to remain open until midnight up to six times a year for social events.
2. That the colour of the building blend in with the Green Belt.

The Head of Development Management confirmed that Condition 15 required details of materials to be submitted.

Councillor Huntington-Thresher highlighted the importance of local provenance of trees in relation to condition 20. It was noted that additional wording could be added to the condition to address this issue.

The Committee noted the requirement that a Servicing and Delivery Plan be submitted. The Head of Development Management also confirmed that additional wording could be added to the conditions to cover foul water drainage.

The Head of Development Management also confirmed that disabled toilets were proposed for the entrance lobbies of both the ground floor and the first floor.

Having considered and debated the application, the Committee unanimously

RESOLVED that PERMISSION BE GRANTED subject to Stage 2 referral to the Mayor of London and any Direction by the Secretary of state as recommended and subject to the conditions and informatives set out in the report of the Assistant Director Planning.

The following conditions were amended as follows:-

11: The use hereby approved shall operate between the hours of 8am to 9pm Monday to Friday, and 8am to 6pm Saturdays and Sundays. On a maximum of 6 occasions per calendar year, the use shall operate up to 12.00am midnight, subject to written notice having been served on the Local Planning Authority no later than 28 days prior to the event.

20: Prior to commencement of development, details of replacement trees of sufficient quality and quantities shall be submitted to and approved by the Local Planning Authority in writing. Replacement trees shall be of local provenance where possible. The scheme as approved shall be carried out in the first planting season following the completion of each development phase. Any trees, shrubs or plants that die within a period of five years from the completion of each development phase, or are removed and/or become seriously damaged or diseased in that period, shall be replaced (and if necessary continue to be replaced) in the first available planting season with others of similar size and species, unless the Local Planning Authority gives prior written permission for any variation.

Reasons: To maintain the biodiversity value of the site and compliance with London Plan Policies 7.19 and Bromley Local Plan Polices 73 and 79.

The following conditions were added as follows:-

Prior to the commencement of development, details of a foul drainage scheme to serve the development shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.  The drainage scheme shall thereafter be implemented in accordance with the approved details.

REASON: There are no public foul sewers near the site and to ensure satisfactory drainage can be achieved to comply with Policies 115 and 116 of the Bromley Local Plan.