Agenda item

The Planning Officer gave an illustrative presentation recommending the grant of planning permission for the Prior Approval under Schedule 2, Part 20, Class A of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development Order 2015 (as amended)) for the construction of an additional storey to 54b Trundley's Road, SE8 to provide:

·      1 x 1-bed and 2 x 2-bed flats.

The Committee noted the report.

Following the Officer’s presentation, there were no questions for the Officer from Members.

The applicant made no address to the Committee, but advised he was available to answer Members questions.

No questions were put to the applicant by the Members.

A local resident addressed the Committee. The resident advised Members of resident’s objections to the proposal due to the developers’ actions, such as the: removal of (his) solar panels, green building converted back to a normal building, charges levied to reinstate the solar panels and green building, bin and bicycle storage, complaints ignored and lack of engagement. The resident concluded due to the issues raised, the application should be refused.

At the Chairs request, the representative expanded on their concerns regarding bins and the bicycle store.

The representative advised that due to complaints received, the developer added new bin storage. However despite requests, CCTV was not installed to mitigate fly tipping. It was felt the developer was only addressing issues raised by residents, because of the application now put before the Committee. The representative advised this attention from the developer would be ‘short term’ for the benefit of gaining approval of the application. It was concluded that the developer’s service was ‘poor’ and if two extra units were allowed to be built, there would be more people at the development and ‘more problems’.

The Chair acknowledged that the concerns raised by the representative were important. However, the Chair was minded to advise the representative that the issues raised were not planning considerations. The issues raised were matters between landlord and tenant. As such, they could not be considered by the Committee.

The representative was advised of legal recourse avenues they could follow by a Committee Member and the Chair, who also outlined the decision making powers held by the Committee.

The Chair addressed the representatives concerns regarding bicycle storage and the bins to the Officer.

The Officer confirmed that advice had been taken from Highways, which confirmed the development would be car free, therefore bicycle storage was important. Members were advised that the applicant was willing to have conditions implemented by the officers to mitigate this raised concern.

The Committee were advised by the Officer that following legal advice, it was determined not possible for the bin storage to be conditioned. However, the applicant had also agreed that the officers could implement a condition regarding bin storage.

Members put questions to the Officer regarding the removal of the solar panel and fire safety.

The Officer advised the Committee the removal of the solar panels by the developer was not a planning consideration.

Clarification was provided by the Officer with regard to fire safety, as detailed in para 41(i) of the officer’s report. In relation to this, the issue of the building not surpassing 18 metres meant the requirement to provide details of fire safety was not triggered.

During discussion, Members compared the current and prior application. The Members noted the amendments made by the applicant to the current application, in relation to the prior application.

The Committee considered the submissions made at the meeting, and

RESOLVED - unanimously

That it be noted that the Committee agreed to:

GRANT planning permission for the Prior Approval under Schedule 2, Part 20, Class A of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development Order 2015 (as amended)) for the construction of an additional storey to 54b Trundley's Road, SE8 to provide:

·      1 x 1-bed and 2 x 2-bed flats.

Subject to conditions and informatives outlined in the report.