Agenda and minutes

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on Thursday, 9 March 2023 and Thursday, 6 April 2023 as accurate records.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meetings held on Thursday, 9 March 2023 and Thursday, 6 April 2023 as accurate records.

Members are invited to declare any disclosable pecuniary interests (DPIs) and other registrable and non-registrable interests they may have in relation to any item(s) of business on today’s agenda.

There were no disclosures of a pecuniary interest not already registered.

To receive notice of any business not on the agenda which in the opinion of the Chair, by reason of special circumstances, be considered as a matter of urgency.

There was none.

To receive the following presentations on a proposed development:

Demolition of the existing buildings and erection of 4 buildings of 5-13 storeys to provide a leisure centre, commercial unit, approximately 246 age-restricted and care units (Use Classes C2 and C3) with associated facilities, public square and route through the site, and car park.

Ward: Purley and Woodcote

Demolition of the existing buildings and erection of 4 buildings of 5-13 storeys to provide a leisure centre, commercial unit, approximately 246 age-restricted and care units (Use Classes C2 and C3) with associated facilities, public square and route through the site, and car park.

Ward: Purley and Woodcote

Nicholas Alston and Tom Banfield attended to give a presentation. They then responded to Members’ questions and the issues raised for further consideration[WT1] .

Councillor Dwesar addressed the Committee with his view on the Pre-Application. The below gives a summary:

• The proposed development would provide a pool and leisure centre for the local residents, and has the potential to revitalise the district centre.
• This would create more footfall in the local area as there would be more desirable shops and cafes present. Support the inclusion of a public square, route through the site, bistro and soft play.
• Many of the plans for the proposed development were in line with the Purley strategic framework.
• There were concerns that one of the buildings, which would sit at 12 storeys, was too high and was not policy compliant.
• There was a suggestion that buildings C and D be separated as together they led to greater massing.
• The parking proposed was not acceptable, he recognised that the multi-storey car park would need to be removed for the project to be viable. However, he believed that 44 public car parking spaces and 34 parking spaces for residents was not workable.
• He asked officers and Polaska to provide more data on parking as the final plans would need to be informed by evidence and more parking would need to be provided.
• He wanted to see more 2- and 3-bedroom units and the inclusion of schemes for first time buyers. Suggested some accommodation for younger people.
• He would also like the developers to provide some garden space for residents.
• The 246 units proposed would place additional stress on the existing social care and health infrastructure.
• Encouraged by the initial concepts.

Councillor Ben Hassel joined the meeting at 6.40pm

Land Use

Parking

• Members explained that as the site was located near to a route into central London, the parking spaces could potentially be occupied by commuters. There was a concern that the developers had not considered the number of people using the swimming pool who would also need parking spaces.
• Members noted that the developer had mentioned that there were four car parks in the town centre and enquired where they were located and who had ownership of them.
• Members felt as though the proposed cycling enhancements did not offer much encouragement. There was also a belief that cycle storage was an issue as it was not ideal for bikes to be left outside.
• Members were concerned whether there were any electrical charging points for residents.
• Members asked if there any scope to deal with an increased demand for parking.
• Members stated that the British rail carpark was under a current application and the number of spaces may decrease  ...  view the full minutes text for item 33/23

To consider the accompanying report by the Director of Planning & Strategic Transport:

There are none.

There were none.