Agenda item

RESOLVED

That it be noted that the Committee agreed to:

GRANT planning permission for the construction of part single/part 2 storey block incorporating roof space to provide:

·         2 x 2 bedroom self-contained flats at the rear of 159-161 Brookbank Road SE13.

Subject to conditions and informatives outlined in the report.

The Planning Officer, gave an illustrative presentation recommending the grant of planning permission for the construction of part single/part 2 storey block incorporating roof space to provide:

·         2 x 2 bedroom self-contained flats at the rear of 159-161 Brookbank Road SE13.

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

·         Principle of Development

·         Housing

·         Urban Design

·         Transport

·         Impact on living conditions of neighbours

·         Impact on existing trees

Following the Officer’s presentation, Committee members did not put any questions to the Officer.

The applicant did not attend the meeting.

A nearby resident addressed the Committee with objections to the proposal relating to height and overlooking. Another resident addressed the Committee and advised the members that the property he owned had been detached for 100 years. If the application were granted, his property would be converted into a semi-detached property. The resident also advised the Committee of the impact of the developments characterisation on the surrounding area. Members were advised the application did not address the concerns raised such as privacy and the joining of the development to his own property.

Member’s questions followed and related to clarification of particular points raised by the representative regarding his property, loss of privacy, overlooking, policy standards regarding the party wall and trees.

The Chair summarised the representative’s speech and advised that a detached property would essentially be converted into a semi-detached, if the application were granted.

The Officer referred to an internet based satellite mapping application, to provide clarification to members regarding the development’s boundaries and loss of privacy issues raised by the representative.

Members were advised by the Officer that with regard to responsibilities, the development met the London plan criteria. In addition to this, the party wall was a separate issue, not managed by planning policy standards.

The Officer acknowledged that the trees could pose a highway risk as outlined in the Officer’s report.

Committee member, Councillor Handley joined the meeting remotely. As such, he was not allowed to legally participate in the discussion of items on the agenda or cast votes. The Chair allowed Councillor to speak under Standing Orders.

Councillor Handley advised the Committee he felt it was unfair the representative purchased his home as a detached property, to then see it converted into a semi-detached by another individual’s planning application, if granted. He felt there should be rules to govern such issues.

This view was supported by another member.

The DMTL advised the Committee to only consider material considerations. He confirmed there was no planning policy related to detached properties being converted into semi-detached through the submission of applications to the local authority. The DMTL advised the typology of the local area surrounding the development was mixed and therefore the current proposal was not objectionable. The DMTL also advised the party wall issue was not within the Officers remit to consider.

During the course of the meeting discussion concern was raised regarding the issue of the detached property being converted into a semi-detached property, if the application were granted.

The DMTL referred to the Party Wall Act and advised members that the Officers were discouraged from straying into this legislative area and reiterated it was not in the Officer’s remit to do so.

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 construction of part single/part 2 storey block incorporating roof space to provide:

·         2 x 2 bedroom self-contained flats at the rear of 159-161 Brookbank Road SE13.

Subject to conditions and informatives outlined in the report.