Agenda, decisions and minutes

Councillor Tom Copley declared a personal prejudicial interest in item 3, and withdrew from the meeting while this item was considered.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Planning Committee A held on 15 August 2019 be agreed and signed as a true and accurate record.

The DMTL gave an illustrative presentation recommending refusal of planning permission of an application submitted under Section 73 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, to allow for the variation of Conditions 2 and 8 in connection with planning permission dated 7th October 2016 DC/16/096041, as amended for the demolition of the existing buildings at Our Lady and St Philip Neri Primary School, 208 Sydenham Road SE26, and the construction of a three storey school building including a nursery, a multi-function sports court and a running track, together with the creation of a formal pedestrian access from Home Park, the provision of cycle and scooter spaces, refuse storage and associated landscaping works to provide the amalgamation of the Infant and Junior Schools, in order to allow the following changes:- Alterations to the materials, alterations to the fenestration pattern, increase in the height of the building, alterations to the roof profile, alterations to the siting of the building, installation of UKPN cabinets and planting on the corner of Sydenham Road and Fairlawn Park, reduction in the number of fins on the Hall building, installation of an internal ball fence to the playground on the flat roof of the Hall building, installation ventilation grilles, alterations to external lighting, alterations

to extraction flue, alteration to playground canopies, alterations to nursery entrance, installation of an air-conditioning unit near the nursery entrance, alterations to the brick plinth and alterations to external plant store.

The committee noted the report and that the main issues in relation to the application were:

• Urban Design
• Impact on Adjoining Properties

Following members’ enquiries with regard to paragraph 171 clause 2 of the report, the DMTL advised that the provision of openable windows in the Sydenham Road elevation had the potential to give rise to an unacceptable level of internal noise within the building and to a poor quality educational environment for users. The application is recommended for refusal for the reasons set out in the recommendation section of the report. The DMTL confirmed this was supported by the approved Acoustic Implications design document submitted with application DC/16/096041 which outlines that openable windows will not be permissible on the Sydenham Road elevation and side facades with a line of site to the road. The document goes onto state that if simple openable windows were to be adopted, levels of noise internally would be as high as 63dB (A) which would be substantially in excess of guidance standards and would adversely affect speech communication and learning and that to achieve the equivalent ventilation rates to an open window, options could include acoustic passive events, or a boosted mechanical ventilation/cooling system. Therefore openable windows are not supported.

The agent, Indigo Planning Ltd acting for the applicant, residents Emily Harris and Caroline Gallaghy, and the Head of the School (HoS) Matthew Ringham addressed the Committee, providing objections to the recommendation with regard to the impact of the enforcement order on the attending children’s education if issued. Concerns about the openable  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

The Planning Officer gave an illustrative presentation recommending the grant of planning permission for the demolition of seven (7) existing garages at Bampton Estate, Bampton Road SE23, to allow for the construction of one (1) part three/part four/part five storey building to provide thirty nine (39) over 55s dwelling units, together with the provision of the relocated ball court, associated landscaping, refuse storage and cycle and car parking.

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

·       Principle of Development

·       Housing

·       Specialist Residential Uses

·       Urban Design

·       Transport Impact

·       Impact on Adjoining Properties

·       Sustainable Development

·       Natural Environment

Following members’ enquiries the Officer confirmed that a condition would be attached to ensure a staged development would ensure the ball court is re-provided before the existing one is demolished, and that prior to commencement of development, specification details of the re-provided ball court would be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The Officer also confirmed that the site is not located within a Conservation Area, and that the separation distances from most surrounding residential properties are well in excess of the Council’s recommended minimum standards and it is therefore considered the outlook and privacy received in the proposed dwellings would be of an acceptable standard. The building is considered to be of an appropriate proportion, scale and orientation to its surroundings. The Officer stated that multiple locations for the re-provided ball court were assessed with consideration predominately given to tree loss, slope, existing buildings and relationship with Windrush Lane. It was concluded that on balance the proposed location was the most appropriate. The Officer confirmed that whilst the proposal is for specialised aged care for over 55’s, and no designated children’s play space is required to be provided, the re-provided ball court would ensure the existing children’s play space is not lost. The Officer stated that the proposed material palette was considered to be high quality and the final details would be secured by Condition.

The agent on behalf of the applicant, Lewisham Homes addressed the Committee, advising of the extensive consultation and improvement works procedures followed.

The agent also advised the Committee of the site plan specifications, highlighting the need for affordable over 55’s housing, allowing for the release of under occupied homes. The agent stated that the space provided exceeded the requirements of the London Plan, and the energy efficiency of the development.

Following members’ enquiries the agent clarified that the site plan height level was comparable to a 5 block development. The agent confirmed the brief received from the client specified 1 bedroom units as opposed to 2 bedroom units. The agent clarified that disabled parking was provided using the local authority requirement of 10% of overall parking provision. The agent acknowledged that the ‘Bampton Green’ provides a community benefit, as the local residents would still be able to use the greenspace and re-provided ball court. Additionally, owing to the Asset of Community Value (ACV) registration, the applicant would have the opportunity to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.