Agenda item

The Committee received four presentations – on Economic Development, Planning and Building Control, Section106/CIL and Planning Policy. Copies of the presentations would be circulated.

(A)  Economic Development

Hal Khanom, Head of Economic Development, gave a presentation on the work of her service and summarised the current economic position in Bromley. Bromley’s business base was in decline, despite an increase in London and nationally. This was a trend that had started before the pandemic. However, town centre footfall, which had also been declining pre-covid, was now recovering well. The loss of the Debenhams store did not appear to have impacted on footfall in Bromley town centre, though there were noticeable differences in vacancy rates across town centres in the borough, with the situation particularly acute in Bromley and Chislehurst. Rental recovery was being driven by eating and hospitality, rather than retail.

The Council had channelled financial support to local businesses through the pandemic, there was now rapid progress being made in providing full fibre broadband access and the Bromley Business Hub had been launched. Re-ballots for the Orpington First, Beckenham Together and Penge SE20 BIDs would be taking place later in the year, but consideration of a West Wickham BID was being postponed.

The next steps were to build an evidence base, develop a strategic approach to achieving the commercial growth potential of Bromley town centre, encourage inward investment by developing the Bromley brand, stimulate industrial estates growth, cluster STEM and the aviation sector, support green industries to locate in Bromley and align and coordinate fragmented employment provision.

The Chairman noted that funding for the Economic Development Team was only in place until September, but the Director confirmed that options were being considered. Members discussed the need to bring office workers back to town centres and the need for small office space. In response to a question about whether the Business Hubs were doing well, officers offered to circulate more information.

The Portfolio Holder for Renewal, Recreation and Housing commented that with the difficulties being experienced in Croydon there had been some additional  trade from people in the west of the borough. Rents had fallen, and there were vacant units in Bromley, but most were from chains that had closed across the country, and there was new interest in retail in the town centre. He was pleased that serviced offices were being developed at the old Town Hall, but there had been no substantial new office provision since the mid-1980s, and much of the office provision was not acceptable for modern occupiers. Bromley had to protect and enhance its office and industrial space.

Members agreed that the information in the presentation was very useful and should be circulated to all Members.

(B) Planning and Building Control

Tim Horsman, Assistant Director, Planning and Building Control, gave a presentation updating the Committee on the current position with Planning and Building Control. Numbers of planning applications had peaked in 2017, falling until 2020 and were now rising slowly. The percentage of delegated decisions had risen to 97% at the start of 2020 and was still at 94%. The percentage of major applications determined within the thirteen week target was very good, but the percentage of minor and other applications determined within eight weeks was only in the low to mid-forties. Tree applications had risen in volume since 2018. Pre-application requests responded to within agreed timescales had fallen to under 20%. Officers were trying to grow the Building Control service and increase market share.

The Chairman was concerned that the pre-application numbers were so low – officers explained that the service had struggled to adapt to working from home during the pandemic and had been affected by staffing difficulties, but there was now only one vacancy and interviews were taking place the following Monday for this post.

A Member commented that he had found it difficult to get through to the Planning Division by phone – officer advised using the main planning number which was staffed throughout the day.

(C)  S.106/Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL)

James Renwick, Infrastructure Delivery Team Leader, gave a presentation on S.106 and CIL, explaining how they differed and how they interrelated. S.106 agreements were bespoke to each application and sought to provide funds for specific purposes to mitigate the impact of the development, whereas CIL was governed by regulation and was based on net increase in floorspace. Bromley’s CIL had come into effect on 15^th June 2021. The new arrangements meant that S.106 would still continue, but in a more specific and limited form.

The balance of S.106 funds had been at around £10m for the last six or seven years, with 2019/20 an exceptional year as one site (Glaxo) had brought in £6.7m. There was currently around £3m unallocated. The main themes of contributions were affordable housing, health and education.

Bromley had been collecting CIL for the Mayor of London; most was used for Crossrail. It was anticipated that Bromley CIL would raise about £4m per annum – this had to be allocated 85% for strategic infrastructure to support the development of the area, and 15% targeted in the neighbourhood where it was raised.

(D) Planning Policy, Conservation and Design

Ben Johnson, Head of Planning Policy and Strategy, gave a brief update on Planning Policy, setting out the key workstreams for the next few years. Work was beginning on reviewing the Local Plan, leading through to adoption of a new Local Plan in 2025. In 2022/23 there would be work on a series of Supplementary Planning Documents for Bromley and Orpington Town Centres, Bromley Design Guide and Planning Obligations, and also on confirming Article 4 Directions. There were a number of other workstreams including work on the new London Plan.