Agenda item

The Planning Officer, gave an illustrative presentation recommending the grant of planning permission for construction of an additional storey at The Curve Building, Chudleigh Road SE4 to provide:

·         3, one bedroom self-contained flats, together with the provision of 6 additional cycle spaces.

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

·         Principle of Development

·         Housing

·         Urban Design

·         Transport

·         Impact on living conditions of neighbours

Afterwards, members’ questions related to the balconies.

The Officer used their presentation slides to provide clarification to Members with regard to the elevation of the proposed balconies.

The agent on behalf of the applicant, addressed the Committee. The agent described the development outlining its benefits.

The following enquiries from Members related to balconies, room locations, roof, noise, cladding, parking, bicycle storage.

It was confirmed the previous application was refused due to overlooking from the proposed balconies. The Committee were assured the current application included measures to mitigate the issue of overlooking.

The agent explained acknowledged the room locations and advised the Committee that the new storey would be built independently of the floor below. Therefore, as separate structures there would be no sound impact on the floor below.

It was stated that keeping the current roof under the new storey would ensure waterproofing and sound reduction.

A representative addressed the Committee, on behalf of local residents advising that residents were opposed to the proposal due to concerns regarding noise, the additional storey, parking, parking survey, bicycle storage and height.

The following questions from Members related to cladding and parking.

The representative advised the cladding was viewed as unnecessary and posed a fire risk.

The agent acknowledged the concern raised and advised the developer would be using A1 non-combustible products that confirmed to regulations.

The Team Leader advised Members that fire safety was a building control matter. A fire safety statement was not required from the developer for the application. Fire safety was not a material consideration for the application.

The Officer advised the Committee the development was not subject to a Car Parking Zone (CPZ). Therefore, it was not possible for officers to condition the site to be car free. The Officer noted advice from the local authority’s highways officer following a parking survey conducted for the site. It was concluded the development was not likely to have any impact on traffic.

During the course of the meeting at 7.49 pm a Member joined the meeting. As they had missed the officer presentation and some of the discussion, the Chair advised that they would not be able to vote on the current item under consideration. At 8.03 pm, another Member advised the Committee they would abstain from the voting for this item, as they had lost internet connection. As a result they had missed significant parts of the item under consideration.

Councillors moved the recommendations as outlined in the report. All councillors voted in favour of the recommendations.

RESOLVED – unanimously

That it be noted that the Committee agreed to:

GRANT planning permission for construction of an additional storey at The Curve Building, Chudleigh Road SE4 to provide:

·         3, one bedroom self-contained flats, together with the provision of 6 additional cycle spaces.

Subject to conditions and informatives outlined in the report.