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 advised Members that the London Plan had been formally adopted in early March 2021 – the document now formed part of the Bromley development plan and, in addition to the Local Plan, was being used to assess planning applications in the Borough.
At the previous meeting of the Partnership, it had been highlighted that a government consultation was underway regarding permitted development rights. This had been completed swiftly and new regulations had now been published. These would be brought into force from August 2021 and would broadly allow the majority of units in class E (such as retail, offices and restaurants) to be converted to residential use. It was noted that, as the Local Authority’s planning policy did not directly apply, there were some concerns and further Article 4 directions were likely to be required and this would be discussed at the next meeting of the Council’s Development Control Committee.
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, the Local Plan would be kept under review to ensure general conformity. Katy Woolcott, London Biggin Hill Airport enquired if the zoning process previously mentioned would be taken forward as part of this review. The LBB Head of Planning Policy and Strategy responded that the zoning proposals were being taken forward by the government, but no further information had been provided recently. It was anticipated that more news may be heard later in the year, however the Local Plan would be reviewed under the current system as it may take several years for these proposals to come into force. It was highlighted that a full review of the Local Plan would be undertaken, giving regard to the relevant policies within the London Plan, as well as national policies, to ensure it was up to date.
Mike Lewis, Michael Rogers LLP enquired if the existing Article 4 directions in the Borough would be affected. The LBB Head of Planning Policy and Strategy responded that the government had given Local Authorities a year, to August 2022, to replace any existing Article 4 directions and they would not automatically be extended beyond this period. Mr Lewis said that this was a concern as if any further commercial space was lost it would have a seriously detrimental effect on the economic progress of the town as a business centre. The Chairman highlighted that the draft Economic Development Strategy discussed earlier in the meeting included a target for new jobs and space in the town centre to provide them would be required – a review of the Local Plan would therefore take this into account.
In response to a question from Katy Woolcott, the LBB Head of Planning Policy and Strategy said that units previously classed as B1 were now categorised in class E, so in theory they could be converted to residential. This was something that would be considered as part of the review of where Article 4 directions may be required.
With regards to business improvement areas within the London Plan, Lee Thomas, Fairlight Group noted the statement that office spaces within them needed to be fully retained for the purposes of employment and queried if this would be a disparity with the Local Plan. The LBB Head of Planning Policy and Strategy responded that the Local Authority was broadly in line with the London Plan as the principles of it were to protect employment spaces and intensify them wherever possible. It was highlighted that if a space were put forward with a proposed mixed-use development, if there was a significant amount of office space already there, they would look to replace it, and if it was within a business improvement area, look to increase it. This may be something that would be looked at in further detail as part of the SPD to emphasise the importance of commercial use in these areas. Mr Lewis highlighted that a mixed-use building may work well in terms of the residential element, but they tended not to work from the aspect of the office element. These schemes often had small office occupiers and in order to attract more businesses into the town centre proper, purpose-built office buildings were required.
RESOLVED that the Planning Policy update be noted.