Agenda item

PERMISSION

Description of application – Hard and soft landscaping of Zone 3 of Kemnal Park cemetery including the introduction of additional burial plots and carparking.

The Principal Planner - Major Developments reported that further information had been received from an objector and circulated to Members. It was noted that the matters raised were reflected within the report. An amended site plan had also been circulated.

Oral representations in objection to and in support of the application were received at the meeting.

Oral representation from visiting Ward Member Councillor Mark Smith were also received at the meeting. Councillor Smith said that he did not oppose the application, but Ward colleagues had concerns which were reflected in the comments made by Chislehurst Society on page 53 of the report, regarding ‘the decimation of ancient woodland that has taken place recently is much greater than any of the permissions would lead one to expect and some comments suggest that some of the clearances were done accidentally’. Councillor Smith said he had visited the site with Councillor Stammers and had been staggered by the number of trees felled. In relation to replanting of the site, a total of 153 trees sounded impressive, but when the size of the plot and the map showing the trees at full maturity were considered, it was not felt to be substantial enough, and more tree planting needs to be undertaken. It was suggested that the ‘Woodland Management Plan’ become a pre-commencement condition and a full report on tree Planting be commissioned from the Forestry Commission or Woodland Trust. Councillor Smith said he supported the suggestion to use a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) on this site – the 100 small whips referenced were planted before the hot summer and it was likely that many would now be in a poor condition, so tree planning needed to be put in force on this site.

In response to questions, the Principal Tree Officer advised that the Woodland TPO could be applied to the specific site plan, or the whole site – however it was designed for woodland, and not open grassland, which was the majority of the site. To avoid delays, a Woodland Management Plan would provide a route forward, and making a TPO could be considered in due course.

Members having considered the report, objections and representations, RESOLVED:

i.)  to ask officers to consider making a Woodland TPO.

ii.)  that PERMISSION BE GRANTED as   recommended, subject to the conditions set out   in the report of the Assistant Director, Planning   with the addition of a further condition for   Woodland Management:-

6. P Non-standard pre-commencement condition: Woodland Management Plan; 

Prior to commencement of the development hereby approved, a woodland management plan for the area detailed as New Woodland Planting shall be submitted to, and approved in writing by, the Local Planning Authority. The management plan should be prepared by a qualified and experienced forestry or arboricultural consultant and include; 

  i.  type and frequency of management operations to achieve and sustain canopy, understorey and ground cover 

The trees in the area detailed as New Woodland Planting shall then be managed in accordance with the approved management plan for a period of 5 years from the first burial on the land shown on  drawing Zone 3 General Site Layout (D200009_CDS_EN_ZZ-DR-L-023 REV 11).  

Reason: Required to ensure that the woodland area is satisfactorily maintained in the interest of nature conservation and the visual amenity of the area and to accord with Policies 37, 43 and 74 of the Bromley Local Plan (2019).