Minutes for Planning Committee meeting, May 27 2010, 7.30PM official page

It was reported that an apology for absence had been received from Councillor Munir Malik.

It was reported that a late notification had been received in accordance with Standing Order 62(5) indicating that Councillor Harry Persaud would be substituting for Councillor Munir Malik as Members were only appointed to Planning Committee at the Annual Council Meeting held on the evening before, 26 May 2010.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting of the Planning Committee held on 22 April 2010 be signed as a correct record.

As item 7 (n) on the Agenda (14 The Marlowes, Crayford) is an application by Councillor Howard Marriner, Members were advised that it would constitute a personal interest for the purposes of the Code of Conduct where an applicant for planning permission is a member of the same political party. As a result all Conservative Members of the Planning Committee were advised to declare a personal interest in item 7(n) by virtue of their membership of the Conservative Party. The Committee was further advised that members of other political parties may also have a personal interest by virtue of their "close association" with the applicant in so far as they serve on the same Council and Committee.

Therefore Councillors Kerry Allon, Brian Beckwith, Brian Bishop, Alan Downing, Jackie Evans, John Fuller, Margaret O’Neill, Eileen Pallen, Harry Persaud, Peter Reader, John Waters and Mike Slaughter all declared a personal and non-prejudicial interest in Agenda Item 7 (n) Application No. 09/00655/FUL – 14 The Marlowes, Crayford (Minute 7 (2)(h)).

Councillor John Waters declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Agenda Item 7 (b) Application No. 10/00413/FUL – Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar School, Hurst Road, Sidcup, as he is Chairman of the Schools Governors and would therefore withdraw during consideration of this application. Councillor John Waters also declared a personal but non-prejudicial interest in Agenda Item 7 (o), Application No. 10/00625/FUL – Mount Mascal Stables, Vicarage Road, Bexley, as he is a Member of the Woodland Trust.

Councillors Alan Downing and Mike Slaughter both declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Item 7 (c), Application No. 10/00460/FUL – Former Garage Site, Junction of Stansted Crescent and Carisbrooke Avenue, Bexley, (Minute 7 (1)(a)), as both Councillors are members of the London And Quadrant Neighbourhood Committee and therefore withdrew from the meeting during consideration of the application.

Councillor John Fuller declared a personal but non-prejudicial interest in Item 7 (o), Application No. 10/00625/FUL – Mount Mascal Stables, Vicarage Road, Bexley, as he is acquainted with the applicant.

None reported.

The Committee received a report on the views of the Conservation Advisory Committee on various planning, listed building and advertisement applications considered at its meeting on 8 April 2010.

A report was submitted upon applications for development under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990, together with an Addendum containing further information relating to various applications, including any late responses to public consultations and additional recommendations of the Head of Development Control, where appropriate, as to further conditions, reasons for refusal, etc. The Committee noted that the matters of equal opportunities, community safety, environmental impact and the Human Rights Act 1998 were relevant considerations in determining planning matters and that the discretion to balance those planning issues in the public interest was vested in the Council, as the Local Planning Authority. It was further noted that, provided the Council acted reasonably and consistently within planning legislation and guidance (as it was obliged to do), it was not anticipated that determination of planning matters would cause a breach of the Human Rights Act 1998 or the requirements of legislation relating to other matters mentioned.

Members’ attention was drawn to the Addendum by the Chairman who advised that the report for this application had been withdrawn in order for further information to be obtained from the applicant.

The Committee was addressed by Ms Jagpal and Mrs Alliston, local residents, who both objected to the application. Ms Read, the applicant, also addressed Committee in support of the application.

The Committee was also addressed by Councillor Colin Tandy, St Mary’s Ward Councillor, who raised some concerns about the application.

Attention was drawn to the Addendum, which reported comments from the Environment Agency and details of an additional condition relating to surface water as well other matters about treatment to the frontages and a correction on page 69 of the report regarding the allocation/use for the amenity areas associated with the flats

While expressing its support for the regeneration of this area the Committee was concerned that the materials and finish proposed for the development were not in keeping with other properties in the immediate area, and at the location of the bin stores and potential loss of green areas if the paths were widened. In approving the application, the Committee was advised that their concerns about the application would be resolved under Conditions included in the Agenda Report, which required the applicant to submit details of materials, arrangements for waste storage (including location) and landscaping to the Local Planning Authority for their approval.

RESOLVED: That in respect of application no. 10/00460/FUL – for the erection of a two storey residential building comprising of 4 x 2 bed flats and 1 x 3 bed house. Provision of landscaping, car parking and boundary treatment for the Former Garage site, junction of Stansted Crescent and Carisbrooke Avenue, Bexley: -

(i) power be delegated to the Head of Development Control, following the completion of a satisfactory legal agreement under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, to grant planning permission subject to the conditions and informative contained in the Agenda Report.

(ii) The Deputy Director (Legal Services), in consultation with the Head of Development Control, be authorised to enter into an agreement with the applicant under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to deal with the following matter and any others deemed appropriate:

• Transport
• Open Space
• Sports and Leisure
• Monitoring; and

(iii) The Head of Development Control be authorised to issue the planning permission upon satisfactory completion of the Section 106 Agreement.

The Committee was addressed by Mr Palmer who objected to the application and by Mr Jarman the applicant. Members’ attention was also drawn to the Addendum which contained details of two extra conditions and further concerns about accessing the site.

The Committee approved the application subject to the additional Conditions contained in the Addendum.

RESOLVED: That in respect of application no. 08/11862/FUL – for the demolition of existing detached house with its former stable and coach house and redevelopment of the site to provide a three storey block, comprising of 6 x 2 bedroom and 2 x 1 bedroom flats. Provision of 10 car parking spaces at Nos 74 to 76 Station Road, Crayford, planning permission be granted subject to the conditions contained in the Agenda Report and the following additional Conditions:

24. Before development hereby approved is first commenced alternative details of the layout of the area to the front of the building providing amenity and parking area shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The area shall be laid out in accordance with these approved details prior to the first occupation of any unit and shall thereafter be maintained as such unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

25. For the avoidance of doubt the ridge height of the new building shall not exceed that of the adjacent property at number 78 Station Road.

The Committee was addressed by the applicants, Miss Greaves and Mr Pallen, who both spoke in support of their application.

RESOLVED: That in respect application no. 10/00427/FUL – for change of from retail (Class A1) to a tattoo and body piercing studio/gallery with a retail area at No. 105 Main Road, Sidcup, planning permission be granted subject to the conditions contained in the Agenda Report.

The Committee was addressed by Mr Macedo, agent for the developer, who spoke in support of the application.

RESOLVED: That in respect of Application No. 10/00449/FUL – for the erection of a one bedroom end-of-terrace dwelling at No. 32 Greenwood Close, Sidcup, planning permission be granted subject to the conditions contained in the Agenda Report.

The Committee was addressed by Mr Nicholls who objected to this application and by Ms Baker, agent for the developer, who spoke in support of this application. Members’ attention was also drawn to the Addendum which contained details of a further objection.

The Committee was also addressed by Councillor Michael Tarrant spoke to oppose this application on behalf of all of the East Wickham Ward Councillors.

The Committee deferred consideration of the application to enable a formal Members’ visit to view the proposed site for the development.

RESOLVED: That in respect of application no. 10/00541/FUL – for the erection of a three-storey building on land adjacent to Fanny On The Hill, Wickham Street, Welling, comprising of six 2-bedroomed and three 1-bedroomed flats with 13 parking spaces and amenity space, any decision be deferred to enable a Members’ formal site visit to take place.

The Committee was addressed by Mr Downs, the agent for the applicant, and by Ms Window a representative of Mascal Stables Limited. Members were also informed that the Addendum contained details of an additional letter of support for the application.

Although recommended for refusal, the Committee noted how valued the riding school was by the local community and that it had been selected as a potential training centre for the 2012 Olympics. Whilst a great deal of consideration was given to the importance of preserving the openness of the Green Belt, Members were of the opinion that the benefits of the proposal could outweigh the harm to the area, which they considered would be minimal and were therefore minded to approve the application, subject to a temporary permission and that an additional Condition be added requiring the proposal to remain an open structure. 

The application was, therefore, deferred in accordance with the “Guidelines for Handling Planning Applications and Appeals Where Members Wish to Determine Planning Applications Contrary to Officer Recommendation”, for the preparation of a further report, including possible conditions.

RESOLVED: That consideration of application no. 10/00625/FUL – for the provision of a portal framed building over the existing outdoor riding stable at Mount Mascal Stables, Vicarage Road, Bexley, be deferred to facilitate the preparation of a further report, including conditions on any approval in accordance with the “Guidelines for Handling Planning Applications where Members Wish to Determine Planning Applications Contrary to Officer Recommendation”

RESOLVED: That in respect of application no. 09/01685/FUL – for the demolition of existing garage and erection of one three-bedroom bungalows and a detached double garage at No. 130 Parkhill Road, Bexley, planning permission be granted subject to the conditions contained in the Agenda Report.

RESOLVED: That in respect of application no. 10/00413/FULM – for the demolition of existing classroom blocks, removal of concrete hard standing and containers. Construction of temporary pre-fabricated classrooms on west field, to facilitate the construction of a new Learning Resource Centre for Sixth Form and Special Educational Needs, together with Ground Staff facilities and extension to east car park, to provide 9 extra parking spaces at Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar School, Hurst Road, Sidcup, planning permission be granted subject to the conditions and informative contained in Agenda Report.

RESOLVED: That in respect of application no. 10/00155/FUL – for a single storey side extension, porch and roof alterations to existing single storey extension at Manor Cottage, Manor Road, Bexley, planning permission be granted subject to the conditions and informative contained in the Agenda Report.

In approving the application the Committee requested an additional condition to ensure that the canopy remained an open structure.

RESOLVED: That in respect of application no. 10/00293/FUL – for a canopy to the rear elevation at No 2A Parkhurst Road, Bexley, planning permission be granted subject to the conditions contained in the Agenda Report and the following additional condition:

The canopy hereby approved shall remain an open structure and shall not be in-filled without the prior written approval of the Local Planning Authority.

In view of concerns contained in the Addendum Members requested that an additional Condition be added requiring that the ground floor windows are treated in obscure glass to safeguard the privacy of the occupiers of Minshaw Court.

RESOLVED: That in respect of application no. 10/00405/FUL – for the retrospective planning application for the retention of double glazed windows to the side elevations at ground and first floor levels at Abbey Mews, The Crescent, Sidcup, planning permission be granted subject to the conditions contained in Agenda Report and the following additional condition:

Details shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority of the treatment of the ground and first floor windows the subject of this application, so that the glass is obscured. These details shall be submitted within a period of four weeks from the date of this decision, and the remedial work shall be carried out within a period of three months from the date of their approval to the satisfaction of the Local Planning Authority.

RESOLVED: That in respect of application no. 10/00415/FUL – for the extension of roof over existing sheds at Weatherley Fencing, No 135 North Cray Road, Sidcup, planning permission be granted subject to the conditions contained in Agenda Report.

RESOLVED: That in respect of application no. 10/00491/FUL – for a dormer extension to rear to provide rooms in roofspace at No. 62 Parkhurst Road, Bexley, planning permission be granted subject to the conditions contained in the Agenda Report.

RESOLVED: That in respect of application no. 10/00655/FUL - For a Conservatory at No. 14 The Marlowes, Crayford, planning permission be granted subject to the conditions contained in the Agenda Report.

A list of applications approved by the Head of Development Control under delegated powers, since the last meeting of the Committee, was reported.

A report was submitted on appeals decisions received from the Department of Communities and Local Government.

In its consideration of the report the Committee formally agreed to re-establish the Planning Improvement Sub Committee which would continue to consider ongoing improvements in the operation of the Planning Committee and the planning service. The group would also continue to report to the Planning Committee and that membership, now based on a 5/1 split as opposed to 6/1, would be drawn from Committee.