Agenda, decisions and minutes

Councillor Davis advised of close involvement with Item 3 for the past 18 months. Councillor Davis was therefore recused by the Chair from the meeting for item 3 on the Agenda.

The Chair advised he had been lobbied by various groups of the Sydenham Society and Friends of Mais House.

Counsellor Paschoud advised he was a member of the Sydenham Society and stated he had no involvement in Item 3 on the Agenda.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Planning Committee A held on 25 June 2020 be agreed with the following clarification and amendment with regard to: Member attendance and Item 3 on the Agenda as follows:

·       For clarification, Councillor Jacq Paschoud attended the meeting.

·       For Item 3 of the Agenda, the sentence in the minutes:

‘The Chair called for a vote. 4 Councillors voted in favour of the motion and 1 voted against the application.’

Should be read as:

‘The Chair called for a vote. 4 Councillors voted in favour of the motion and 1 voted against the motion.’

RESOLVED

That it be noted that the Committee agreed to:

1          GRANT planning permission for the demolition of existing buildings at Mais House and Otto Close garages, SE26, and redevelopment to provide a part four, six and seven storey building and a part two and three storey terrace building providing:

·         a total of 110 residential units (use class C3), community room and estate office; together with alterations to the existing ball court; associated works to vehicular and pedestrian access from Sydenham Hill, Lammas Green and Kirkdale; provision of car and cycle parking, refuse storage and landscaping including amenity space and play area.

Subject to a S106 Legal Agreement and the conditions and informatives outlined in the report and*,

A requirement that officers should:

·         Amend the landscaping condition to require design and consultation with experts to ensure optimal levels of accessibility to the development.

·         Add a condition requiring land stability and groundwater/hydrology surveys.

·         Amend the Construction Environmental Management Plan condition to ensure construction updates and consultation with residents.

*Sentence amended on 11/11/2020, following consultation between Lewisham Councils Planning department and Head of Committee, Governance Support.

The Planning Officer, gave an illustrative presentation recommending the grant of planning permission for the demolition of existing buildings at Mais House and Otto Close garages, SE26, and redevelopment to provide a part four, six and seven storey building and a part two and three storey terrace building providing a total of:

·         110 residential units (use class C3), community room and estate office; together with alterations to the existing ball court; associated works to vehicular and pedestrian access from Sydenham Hill, Lammas Green and Kirkdale; provision of car and cycle parking, refuse storage and landscaping including amenity space and play area.

The Committee noted the report and that the main issues were:

·         Principle of Development

·         Housing

·         Urban Design

·         Impact on Adjoining Properties

·         Transport

·         Sustainable Development

·         Natural Environment

·         Planning Obligations

Questions were raised by Members relating to: Nominations, pathways, local facilities, school admissions, parking, density, height and disability legislation.

The Officer advised that of the 110 homes, 50% of nominations would go to LB Lewisham, with the remaining 50% to the applicant, City of London. The 110 homes were in addition to the current occupied homes on Otto Close.

The Officer acknowledged the concern raised with regard to existing non-compliant pathways. Members were advised that whilst a new relocated pathway would be built, compliance still would not be physically possible, due to the existing topography of the site. Members were advised that the existing pathway in this location was non-compliant. It was advised officers would work with the applicant to apply measures and conditions to mitigate the issue and ensure maximum levels of accessibility across the site.

The Officer advised the Committee that the applicant had provided an infrastructure study as detailed in the Officer report, of facilities within close proximity to the site.

The Officer stated that the 2 schools not identified by the applicant’s infrastructure study were located in Forest Hill and Sydenham. It was advised clarification would be sought from the applicant

The Officer also informed Members that the infrastructure study demonstrated that there was sufficient existing capacity in relation to school places in the area.

The Officer confirmed 55 parking spaces would be provided in comparison to 13 existing parking spaces. It was advised that with regard to accessible parking spaces, 6% provision would be provided on site, which was in excess of the DLP standards. A Car Park Management Plan would be secured by condition to meet future demands.

Members were advised that the applicant had demonstrated via their infrastructure study, that there was sufficient existing capacity, in relation to GP facilities in the area.

The Officer provided the Committee with clarification to density calculations for the development, as detailed in the Officer report.

The Officer acknowledged the concerns relating to the varying heights of the development. Members were informed the Officer report advised there would be impact to the surrounding environment. The impact, was balanced against the public benefits of the scheme. Officers concluded the benefit outweighed the harm.

Following member questions, the applicant addressed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.