Agenda item

RESOLVED

That it be noted that the Committee agreed to:

GRANT planning permission for an application submitted under Section 73 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 for Minor Material Amendments in connection with the planning permission (DC/17/104524) granted on appeal (reference APP/C5690/W/18/3196082) dated 19 February 2019 for the erection of two storeys to provide:

•           5 x 2 bed flats with associated parking and internal refurbishment works with works to the fabric of the building and the provision of a new lift at 123 Woodelm Court, Devonshire Road, London, SE23.

Subject to conditions and informatives outlined in the report.

The Planning Officer, gave an illustrative presentation recommending the grant of planning permission for an application submitted under Section 73 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 for Minor Material Amendments in connection with the planning permission (DC/17/104524) granted on appeal (reference APP/C5690/W/18/3196082) dated 19 February 2019 for the erection of two storeys to provide 5 x 2 bed flats with associated parking and internal refurbishment works with works to the fabric of the building and the provision of a new lift at 123 Woodelm Court, Devonshire Road, London, SE23.

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

·       Application Type

·       Principle of Development

·       Housing

·       Urban Design

·       Impact on Adjoining Properties

·       Transport

Following Members’ enquiries related to cladding and disabled access.

The Officer advised the Committee that the development would not be cladding as originally intended, but brick.

The Officer confirmed there would be no ramp on the development, only stairs.

The Team Leader advised Members that as the Committee were bound by the Appeal decision, if the Planning Inspectorate considered the access to be acceptable when they granted planning permission in 2019, it was not possible to revisit this matter for Committee consideration.

The agent on behalf of the applicant addressed the Committee discussing the objections raised. The agent emphasised the height of the proposed development had been approved. The reason for the increase was to accommodate the relocation of the lift core. It was noted that in regard to concerns of the development being out of character, the development was not located in the conservation area. The application site was currently in a ‘poor state of repair’. This would be a chance for the developers to make improvements that the residents would be able to utilise. The agent advised Members it would be an opportunity to improve the overall environment for existing residents whilst adhering to planning approval.

Member’s enquiries that followed related to materials and existing tenants.

The agent advised the Committee the material used to build the development would be brick and a non-wood cladding. The Officer and Team Leader reiterated the agent’s advice.

The agent confirmed the existing tenants and leaseholders had been consulted and, would be secure in their respective tenures.

A representative addressed the Committee, advising that residents were opposed to the proposal because of objections to the consultation process, presentation images, loss of light, best practice guidelines, height and minor material amendments.

Member’s enquiries that followed related to height and consultation.

The Officer advised Members that all neighbouring properties were consulted and all relevant drawings made publically available via the local authority website. It was confirmed that re-consultation took place on the 2nd and 9th April, due to errors with the description and issues. All information was again publically displayed on the local authority website.

The Officer informed the Committee that the maximum height of the building would increase by 1.47m due to the lift core. The general increase in height of the building ranged from 0.6 to 1.47m.

The Team Leader advised Members that a minor material amendment was a matter of planning judgement for the local planning authority, as no strict case-law definition existed. Following the Planning Inspectorates decision, the proposed amendments were considered to be minor material in the context of the approved scheme and as such the application type was considered to be acceptable. Residents had been consulted on this matter.

During the members’ discussion, it was highlighted that the Committee’s previous refusal of the application had been overturned by the Planning Inspectorate.

A procedural motion without notice to proceed to a vote was proposed. The motion was successful, followed by the vote. The result of the vote was 7 in favour, 1 against and 1 abstention. After the vote, the Head of Business and Committees advised Members that a motion was proposed, but it was not clear what the vote might be for. The motion needed to be more substantive. A motion was then proposed explaining what the vote was for. The motion was successful. It was followed by the vote.

Members voted on the recommendation in the report with a result of 8 in favour of the proposal and 1 abstention.

RESOLVED

That it be noted that the Committee agreed to:

GRANT planning permission for an application submitted under Section 73 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 for Minor Material Amendments in connection with the planning permission (DC/17/104524) granted on appeal (reference APP/C5690/W/18/3196082) dated 19 February 2019 for the erection of two storeys to provide:

·       5 x 2 bed flats with associated parking and internal refurbishment works with works to the fabric of the building and the provision of a new lift at 123 Woodelm Court, Devonshire Road, London, SE23.

Subject to conditions and informatives outlined in the report.

Standing Orders were suspended at 21.38pm.