Minutes:
Ben Johnson, LBB Head of Planning Policy and Strategy provided an update in relation to Planning Policy.
The LBB Head of Planning Policy and Strategy highlighted that a further government consultation was underway regarding permitted development rights. It included a new use class which grouped several former categories, such as shops, offices and restaurants, into one. There was also another consultation taking place regarding the intention to bring forward a permitted development right from August 2021, to allow any use within that class to be changed to residential use. The Local Authority would provide a response to the consultation, which would end on Thursday. Whilst it was appreciated that the government wanted to introduce some flexibility to help achieve their ambitious housing targets, there were some concerns regarding the impact they would have in allowing wholescale changes to commercial areas. A report regarding these issues would be presented to the Council’s Development Control Committee, a link to which was provided following the meeting: https://cds.bromley.gov.uk/documents/s50085754/CONSULTATION%20ON%20PLANNING%20APPLICATIONS.pdf
With regards to the Draft London Plan, the LBB Head of Planning Policy and Strategy advised members that since the last meeting, there had been further ‘toing-and-froing‘ between the Secretary of State and the Mayor of London, and the document had still not been adopted. However, it was further along the adoption process, and the Secretary of State had advised that he intended to confirm he was happy with the document by the 1st February. Therefore, the London Plan was likely to be fully adopted by the end of February / beginning of March 2021 and would then be used to assess planning applications in the Borough. It contained a number of new planning policies relating to housing, and it was noted that the housing target had been increased by around 130 units per annum. The LBB Head of Planning Policy and Strategy said he would be happy to provide further updates on specific policies within the London Plan if required.
(ACTION: LBB Head of Planning Policy and Strategy)
An update regarding this would also be provided to the Council’s Development Control Committee on 28th January 2021, and a link to the report was provided following the meeting: https://cds.bromley.gov.uk/documents/s50085730/LONDON%20PLAN%20UPDATE.pdf
In response to a question from the Chairman, the LBB Head of Planning Policy and Strategy advised that following the adoption of the London Plan, there was no absolute requirement to review the Local Plan. However, there would be certain policies that “pulled in different directions” and legislation stated that the most recently adopted document took priority – although it was noted that this would not instantly invalidate the Local Plan.
In response to a further question from the Chairman, the LBB Head of Planning Policy and Strategy said that the SPDs for Orpington and Bromley town centres were progressing well. Work was underway to inform urban design elements of the documents. It was intended that the draft SPD would be brought to various Council Committees for scrutiny during the Spring, and would include guidance relating to the implementation of planning policies in the town centres.
Lee Thomas, Fairlight Group, noted the concerns regarding the changes to use classes, and questioned if an Article 4 could be used to stop these wholescale changes. The LBB Head of Planning Policy and Strategy said that no real details were known yet, however it was anticipated that an Article 4 direction could be used to remove some of the permitted development rights. It was noted that the changes may also affect the existing Article 4 directions in Bromley town centre – these may just move across, but the Local Authority’s response would ask for clarification regarding this.
Russell Clarke, Sundridge Investments Limited, highlighted that he was experiencing issues with regard to the registration of planning applications. This was taking longer than the deadline of 8 to 12 weeks, and was leaving applicants and developers in limbo. These concerns were echoed by Gary Hillman, N. Hillman and Sons. The LBB Head of Planning Policy and Strategy said that he was aware of some resourcing issues within that department which may be adding to the delays. It was agreed that this would be flagged with the LBB Head of Development.
(ACTION: Chairman / LBB Head of Planning Policy and Strategy)
RESOLVED that the Planning Policy update be noted.