Agenda, decisions and minutes

1.1      Resolved: that the minutes of the meeting held on 18 July 2018 be agreed as an accurate record.

1.1      Resolved: that the minutes of the meeting held on 18 July 2018 be agreed as an accurate record.

2.1    Councillor Ingleby declared a non-prejudicial interest in relation to item five as a board member of Lewisham Homes.

2.2    Councillor Walsh declared a non-prejudicial interest in relation to item four as a resident of Catford – and – a non-prejudicial interest in relation to item five as a member of the Royal Town Planning Institute.

There are none.

3.1       There were none.

Resolved: that the update be noted

4.1    David West (Studio Egret West) gave a presentation (which is attached to the minutes) on the development of the masterplan for Catford. The following key points were noted:

·         There was lots for the masterplanners to do (to prepare the masterplan) and lots for them to learn about Catford.

·         The delivery of the plan was being managed in stages. The initial work would focus on listening and understanding.

·         The masterplanners were using the ‘Catford Cornucopia’ shop on the Broadway to meet with local people.

·         The masterplanners had adopted the title of ‘C-Team’, which built on the work of Team Catford, and included: Studio Egret West (architects, landscape architects and urban designers); Carl Turner architects (which specialised in temporary installations); Greengage (sustainable environmental consultants); and Civic Engineers (public realm specialists in street design).

·         It was intended that the masterplan would change and evolve over time. But the intent was to regenerate Catford from the outset.

·         It was intended that the redesign of the south circular would provide a new street (with features and spaces for interaction) for Catford rather than just a larger road.

·         The masterplanners intended to creatively co-author the masterplan with the local community.

·         The plan would be authentically ambitious, taking account of the 2500 homes that were likely to be required in the town centre as a result of the new London Plan.

·         The targets in the new London Plan would require every new mixed use development in London to host many more new homes and new infrastructure.

·         There were currently 244 homes on the Milford Towers site. Initial estimates indicated that 800 new homes might be required on the site, which would probably necessitate some buildings to be built between 10 -20 stories high to meet the London Plan targets.

·         It would be challenging to ensure that Catford would be able to host the number of new homes required. Future development would also need to enable the creation and maintenance of quality public realm and a new civic centre.

·         Public realm in Catford was not currently green, active and clean enough. The masterplan would aim to create sustainable, welcoming public spaces, as well as homes and employment opportunities.

·         The masterplan would be delivery focused. There had been lots of discussion about development in Catford – it was time to ensure that things started happening.

·         Catford’s character was complex. People had things they loved and hated about the town centre.

·         Laurence House was an exemplar building of its kind. It was originally designed to be a temporary office building. The masterplanners questioned whether its location should determine the realignment of the south circular.

·         It was expected that Milford Towers would be removed as part of the future redevelopment. However, activity could take place immediately to change the feeling of car park underneath the Towers and its surroundings. One example of local innovation was the Peckham Levels.

·         There were a number of strong examples of innovative short/medium term uses for development sites.

·         There were also examples of buildings  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

The Committee resolved to advise Mayor and Cabinet of the following:

·         The Committee recommends that Mayor and Cabinet ensures that all options be explored for the consultation on the new Local Plan. The Committee acknowledges that the plan has to be technically sound and legally robust. However, it asks that options be considered for the production of a simplified version of the plan for consultation with as broad a group of residents and stakeholders as possible. The Committee recognises that the Planning Department may need support from other Council teams to achieve this aim.

·         The Committee recommends that options be considered for the engagement of all councillors in the production of the new plan, the Committee believes that specific focus should be placed on the role of ward councillors in engaging local groups and in identifying local opportunities and challenges.

·         The Committee recommends that the new plan be used to promote the inclusion of renewable energy production in new developments.

·         The Committee believes that further consideration should be given to how best areas of public realm (that are delivered as part of new developments) can be maintained in the long term.

The Committee recommends that options should be considered for the retention and expansion of community spaces. It believes that this might best be achieved through the protection and development of the spaces categorised in the D1 planning class. The Committee would welcome the development of a new community space strategy.

5.1    David Syme (Strategic Planning Manager) introduced the report. The following key points were noted:

·         The Local Plan was a lengthy technical document – but work was taking place to make it more accessible.

·         The new plan was important because it would guide development in the borough for the next 15 years.

·         The Local Plan had to be reviewed every five years. Significant changes to national (through the new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) July 2018) and regional (the draft London Plan) policy needed to be incorporated into Lewisham’s new Local Plan. This meant that it was a good time to develop the new Local plan.

·         The timetable for the development of the new plan had been agreed by Mayor and Cabinet in January. A draft version of the plan (for regulation 18 consultation) would be prepared for consultation in winter 2018/early 2019.

·         The government was questioning some of the policies in the draft London Plan, which added some risk and potential complications to the timetable for the development and consultation on the new Lewisham Local Plan.

·         Lewisham’s Local Plan had to be in broad conformity with the London Plan and the NPPF. Lewisham would not want to develop policies in response to the draft London Plan that might be significantly changed at a later date.

·         One of the key challenges was the number of homes that were being proposed in the draft London Plan for Lewisham. It was anticipated that 2110 (2117) homes[1] would be required each year in the borough. However, the government’s assessment based on locally assessed housing need estimated that 3100 (3181) homes would be required each year (this figure may be subject to review).

·         The current housing target was 1350 (1380) homes per year and in recent years Lewisham had delivered approximately 1500 homes each year.

·         The new National Planning Policy Framework introduced a housing delivery test, which would assess each local authority’s performance in the delivery of new homes.

·         If Lewisham did not meet its targets it would be required to develop an action plan. If delivery fell below a specified threshold then there would be a presumption in favour of development, which would reduce the ability of the Council to oversee new development proposals.

·         Work was progressing with delivery of the new plan, despite the ongoing uncertainties.

·         All new planning applications would need to be in line with the new plan.

·         A number of studies underpinned the new plan, including: the strategic housing market assessment, a retail capacity study, employment land study, open space study, strategic flood risk assessment, and a new Lewisham character study (which would help to identify key issues within Lewisham’s different neighbourhoods).

·         Work had been taking place with community groups and neighbourhood forums to develop the character study.

·         Officers were also reviewing site capacity and site allocations studies. Feedback would be sought from the Committee – and from all councillors regarding the content of these.

·         Development management policies were also being reviewed and updated. Reviews were being carried  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

Resolved: that further updates on the Local Plan and the Catford town centre regeneration be considered at the meeting on 29 October as well as- reports on the local implementation plan & transport strategy as well as the savings programme. It was agreed that the update on pubs would move to the Committee’s meeting on 12 December.

6.1    The Committee discussed the work programme.

6.2    Resolved: that further updates on the Local Plan and the Catford town centre regeneration be considered at the meeting on 29 October as well as- reports on the local implementation plan & transport strategy as well as the savings programme. It was agreed that the update on pubs would move to the Committee’s meeting on 12 December.

Resolved: that the Committee’s comments under item five be referred to Mayor and Cabinet.

7.1    Resolved: that the Committee’s comments under item five be referred to Mayor and Cabinet.