Agenda item

The Planning Officer presented the report, recommending that the proposed planning application is approved.

Gillan Court is a 4-storey residential block fronting Baring Road, with an undercroft providing vehicular access to the rear, which is the application site. The building is contains 22x two bedroom flats. The application site lies to the rear of Gillan Court, and it was formerly occupied by 22 garages, prior to their demolition in 2015. As existing, the site provides parking bays for the occupants of Gillan Court, as well as some informal amenity space.

To the immediate south and east of the site are residential buildings at Napier Court and Dilhorne Close, and to the North of the site is a Territorial Army Reserve/Training Centre. The proposal would involve the loss of 10 existing off-street car parking spaces to the rear of Gillan Court. 17 spaces would remain on site, and these are to be allocated to existing Gillan Court residents as detailed in the Parking Management Plan. The proposal also includes landscaping works to the front of Gillan Court, and the provision of a communal amenity / play area, for the benefit of existing residents and future residents of the proposal. A new main entrance would be constructed for the existing Gillan Court. Works would also be carried out to renovate and light the existing undercroft, including the provision of storage lockers for the existing Gillan Court residents. New private terraces would also be constructed for the benefit of the four existing ground floor flats at Gillan Court.

Dry and secure cycle parking spaces would be provided on site for future residents of the proposal, and these would be either within the covered area of courtyard, or in the private rear gardens. New and increased provision for the storage and collection of waste would be provided towards the front of Gillan Court.

The Applicant present their argument stating that the development is very family focused and the plan has been developed over 3 years. Neighbouring properties and surroundings as well as size and scale has been carefully considered and adapted over this period of time. The proposed development also has benefit for the existing residents of social housing and consideration has been given to the public realm. A daylight assessment of the property has been carried out to ensure sufficient and acceptable natural light is given to each home.

The Objector raised the following arguments against the application; the proposed development will lead to a loss of amenity in the area and the clause which states that the height and massing of the proposed building be subordinate to the main building and similar height to surrounding buildings should be considered.

The effect of the close proximity means that some households will be overlooked in some areas of homes. Residents also have concerns about noise increase in the area as the 18m distance between the buildings is too close.

He also mentioned that the trees in the surrounding areas need to be protected. In previous years some mature trees were cut down reducing privacy between neighbouring homes- these cannot be simply replaced with some bamboo or smaller trees. The new trees will not be the same size and stature of the previous trees.

The Committee discussed some of the issues regarding the proposed development. There was particular concern shown for the trees planted around the development. Officers stated that reference to semi-mature tree planting can be placed within the conditions to give assurance that the trees planted will be of significant size.

The applicants agreed that they would accept the condition that the trees shown in the plan of the proposed development will not be removed without consent of the local planning authority, to be reflected in condition 19.

The Committee took to a vote, in which all agreed that planning permission be granted under the following:

RESOLVED

That planning permission be GRANTED for  Construction of 3 a storey building to the rear of Gillan Court, 267 Baring Road, SE12, to provide 6 residential houses and 3 residential flats, refurbishment of existing undercroft, communal gardens, landscaping, car and cycle parking, servicing and associated works.

Members resolved to follow officer’s recommendation as set out in the recommendations to grant the planning application subject to allowing officers to amend conditions 9 and 19 and the addition of an informative to seek the insertion of a clause in the lease to protect trees.