Agenda item

The Planning Officer, gave an illustrative presentation recommending the grant of planning permission for the demolition of an existing three (3) storey house (Use Class Sui Generis) to allow for the construction of one (1) three (3) storey building containing six (6) dwellings for Temporary Accommodation homes (Use Class C3) at 118 Canonbie Road, SE23 3AG, including small basement plant and store room, and associated landscaping, refuse storage and cycle parking.

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

·       Principle of Development

·       Housing

·       Urban Design

·       Impact on Adjoining Properties

·       Transport

·       Natural Environment

Following members’ enquiries relating to the proposal use as Class 3, public transport and, parking, and pedestrian safety, the Officer confirmed was Class 3 residential housing and, any type of residential accommodation.

The Officer confirmed that although the application site had a low Public Transport Access Level (PTAL) score, they supported the findings of the independent parking survey. The survey confirmed there was capacity on-street within 200m of the site to accommodate any parking demand generated by the development. The Officer also advised that the findings of the independent parking survey was supported by Highways Officers, therefore subject to the proposed conditions, the development proposal would not result in harm to the local highway network, pedestrian or highway safety.

The DMTL advised the Committee that the proposed development would provide six new temporary accommodation dwellings of which 100% would be for rent at Local Housing Allowance Levels and, would all be let at affordable rents capped by the Local Housing Allowance. This would meet an identified need. The homes would be managed by Lewisham Homes.

The agent, on behalf of the applicant, addressed the Committee advising the proposal addressed the largest housing crisis in the UK since the end of the Second World War. The agent described the schemes design and advised the Committee as replacing the current building not fit for human habitation. This would help to address the homelessness of over 2,300 people or 1 in 57 families registered as homeless. The agent stated that the proposed scheme had set a quality benchmark for local social rent housing.

Following a member enquiry regarding public transport the DMTL suggested junction works would be best delegated to a separate discussion between Lewisham Council and Committee members with regard to highways works to improve accessibility to the nearby bus stop.

During the member discussion, the Chair and several other Committee members praised the schemes design and, thanked the applicant for the proposed scheme, noting the positive benefit good high quality social housing could bring to people who experienced negative effects to their daily lives, due to displacement.

The Committee considered the submissions made at the meeting, and

RESOLVED - Unanimously

That planning permission be GRANTED for the demolition of an existing three (3) storey house (Use Class Sui Generis) to allow for the construction of:

o one (1) three (3) storey building containing six (6) dwellings for Temporary Accommodation (4 x 2-beds and 2 x 3-beds) homes (Use Class C3) at 118 Canonbie Road, SE23 3AG, including small basement plant and store room, and associated landscaping, refuse storage and cycle parking.

Subject to Conditions and Informatives outlined in the report and,

A requirement that officers should formulate amendments to:

o Condition 3 (Construction Management Plan): amend to have separate plans to cover the demolition and construction periods.

o Condition 4 (Site Contamination): amend to allow for demolition.

o Condition 6 (Refuse and Recycling Facilities): amend to be pre-occupation.

o Condition 7 (Cycle Parking Provision), amend to omit paragraph (b) due to typographical errors.

The meeting closed at 9.25 pm.