Agenda, decisions and minutes

Councillor Curran declared a personal interest as a:

• Director of the Baring Trust, a heritage conservation organisation that operates in Grove Park.
• Founder Member of the Grove Park Neighbourhood Forum, which included the area where the application site considered in item 3, is located.

The Chair advised that the single objection to item 4, received from the Deptford Society had been withdrawn.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Planning Committee A held on 9 January 2020 be deferred, for review and the inclusion of the legal frame work and, planning policies that supported the reasons for refusal of planning permission for item 4.

The Planning Officer, gave an illustrative presentation recommending the refusal of planning permission for the demolition of the existing stables and the construction of new equestrian facilities to include stalls, a barn shelter, tack building, reception/office, and a perimeter track for riding, at Willow Tree Riding Establishment, Ronver Road, SE12, together with the use of the existing access onto Ronver Road and associated works.

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

·       Principle of Development

·       Urban Design

·       Impact on Adjoining Properties

·       Transport

·       Natural Environment

·       Sustainable Development

Questions were raised relating to site access, insufficient information provision, pedestrian safety and, the ecological status of the application site.

The PO advised the Committee that currently, there was no public access to the proposal site. It was confirmed that despite no public access, private access was allowed for surveys to be conducted.

It was confirmed that policy 7.16 ‘Green Belt’ would be removed from the first reason provided for the recommendation for refusal, as it was not material to the application.

The HO stated that further pre-application engagement was required for the submission of a formal application and, that the applicant did not go forward with this requirement.

The HO advised that the lack of segregation for pedestrians would create conflict between vehicles and pedestrians, which would be unacceptable in terms of pedestrian safety. It was also advised the situation would be further exacerbated, as the proposed hard landscaped area would be used by larger vehicles i.e. horse boxes and delivery vehicles etc. It was advised that without a segregated pedestrian access, the proposed building configuration adjoining the car park would constrain manoeuvring vehicles and, produce a harmful pedestrian environment. The DMTL also advised that from the initial and additional information that was provided it was unclear which trees were to be retained, removed or felled.

The Ecologist advised if the members decided to grant planning permission, conditions would be required, for further surveys to be undertaken. This was because the current surveys were on the cusp of validity, due to the passage of time since the initial surveys were conducted. It was also confirmed that conditions would have been required to avoid and, mitigate ecological impacts of the proposed development.

Following member questions to officers, the Chair invited a representative of the applicant to address committee, however no representative of the applicant was in attendance or registered to speak. The Chair invited residents to speak to the proposal. A resident, addressed the Committee, advising that he was representing the immediate neighbours to the application site. Residents were opposed to the proposal because of concerns relating to the sites trees, biodiversity, buildings and track. The resident concluded his address by advising residents supported the reports recommendation for refusal of planning permission.

The Chair advised the resident that he would send a note to Lewisham council, with regard to the non-material planning reasons the resident raised.

The Legal Representative provided the Committee with clarification of the use and, application of conditions  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

The Planning Officer, gave an illustrative presentation recommending the grant of planning permission for the installation of a replacement shopfront and the display of non-illuminated fascia sign and non- illuminated projecting sign at 79 Deptford High Street SE8.

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

·         Principle of Development

·         Urban Design and heritage impact

·         Impact on Adjoining Properties

·         Transport impacts

The informal representative, on behalf of the applicant, addressed the Committee with objections to the proposal.

The Chair called on the Officer to provide the representative with clarification of what was required of the applicant. The Officer advised that the applicant’s previous retrospective planning application for the installation of a replacement shop front at 79 Deptford High Street, SE8 had been refused on the grounds outlined in the Officers report. The Officer confirmed that the applicant had been consulted in writing and, advised that the shopfront must be re-designed to include traditional features in respect of the proportions and design. The applicant had also been advised to reduce the size of the fascia sign.

The Chair advised the representative that what was currently in place was not considered by the Council to be compliant and, the current proposal was acceptable. If planning permission were granted, the applicant would be expected to make the alterations as the Council had instructed.

The DMTL provided further clarification by advising the Committee that the Council has powers of enforcement, and there was an active planning enforcement investigation with regard to the shopfront. It was confirmed that if the applicant did not implement the permission, they would be considered to be in breach of the Council’s planning controls.

During a brief discussion that followed, a question was raised relating to disabled access to the application site. The Officer confirmed this would be addressed by building regulations.

The Committee considered the submissions made at the meeting, and

RESOLVED – Unanimously

That planning permission and advertising consent be GRANTED for the installation of a replacement shopfront and the display of non-illuminated fascia sign and non- illuminated projecting sign at 79 Deptford High Street SE8.

Subject to respective Conditions and Informatives outlined in the report.

The meeting closed at 8.45 pm.