Agenda, decisions and minutes

 Councillor Krupski advised the Committee that Rushey Green was her Ward.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Planning Committee C meeting held on 8 October 2020, be agreed and signed as a correct record.

The Planning Officer, gave an illustrative presentation recommending the grant of planning permission for the demolition of the existing buildings and the construction of a part one/part two storey block, comprising:

·       1, one bedroom and 3, two bedroom dwelling houses on the site of 25 Scrooby Street SE6, together with ancillary works including cycle and refuse/recycling stores, boundary fences, entrance gates and landscaping.

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

·       Principle of Development, including loss of commercial

·       Housing

·       Urban Design

·       Impact on Adjoining Properties

·       Transport

Members raised enquiries relating to the unit size, prior application approvals, waste management and sought legal advice regarding the application being refused.

The Officer clarified to Members the circumstances surrounding the prior application approvals, as outlined in the officer report. It was advised that the prior approvals were granted prior to the government’s legislative amendments to certain planning Prior Approval application requirements, which included unit sizes. The Committee was informed by the Team Leader that after April 2021, it was unlikely such applications would be approved, as undersized units were actively being phased out.

The Committee were advised by the Officer that one unit of the scheme would have a large 16 squared metre private garden. Officers also advised that the positioning of the bins on the residential boundaries, did not necessarily constitute harm. However the Officer agreed an informative could be added to advise the Developer that the waste condition details should propose an enclosure, for onsite waste storage to protect amenity.

The Legal Representative provided legal clarification to the Committee with regard to the implications of refusing the application. The Legal Representative concluded that if the application was refused, the developer would be able to resort to their ‘fall-back’ option of the prior applications granted approval.

The agent on behalf of the applicant, addressed the Committee. The agent outlined the nature of the applicants business. Members were advised the applicant had purchased the application site with its prior granted consents. He described the businesses currently on site and the approved change of use applications granted to the application site. Members were advised the current application intended to enhance on the existing building and create ‘a better development’. The Committee were informed of issues relating to light and wear and tear of the building, to be addressed by the applicant. The agent then discussed the intention to add space so that units would become family dwellings. Emphasis was placed on the encouragement of residents ‘putting down roots’ in the community. It was advised the current application applied for would provide this and was preferable, despite the availability of the fall-back option. The agent noted the ecological enhancements, green roof, car free intentions and local amenities. Attention was also drawn by the agent, to privacy screens for windows on the scheme. It was stated as a result, there were no overlooking issues. The agent concluded the development would be a ‘good quality replacement scheme’ and would contribute to the community, providing  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.