Agenda and minutes

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 consider the accompanying reports by the Director of Planning & Strategic Transport:

Demolition of existing dwelling (No.88); erection of a two-storey 4-bed dwelling with car parking; formation of new access to rear; erection of two pairs of two-storey semidetached 3-bed dwellings with car parking, cycle, refuse and recycling stores and soft landscaping.

Ward: Old Coulsdon

Recommendation: Grant permission

Demolition of existing dwelling (No.88); erection of a two-storey 4-bed dwelling with car parking; formation of new access to rear; erection of two pairs of two-storey semidetached 3-bed dwellings with car parking, cycle, refuse and recycling stores and soft landscaping.

Ward: Old Coulsdon

The officer presented details of the planning application and in response to members’ questions explained that:

• Tree surveys had to carried out according to British standard. A category c tree was one of low quality, small, limited growth potential. The Councils tree officer were happy with the classification of the tree.
• Caterham drive had been the site for a number of flooding events. When there was heavy rainfall the water enters the sewage network which leads to flooding. The development had been designed so there was no surface water run off, there was permeable paving on driveways and there were water ducts connected to the roof drains which funnelled water.
• The Meadow would have fencing and would be left to grow wild. There would not be a necessity for maintenance however there could be an ongoing maintenance plan introduced on condition.

Councillor Margaret Bird spoke in objection to the application and Jack Carvall spoke in support of the application. After the speakers had finished, the committee began the deliberation, during which they raised the following points:

• The flooding issue lay with Thames water rather than the applicant as the issue was caused by the deficiencies within sewage system in the local area.
• The issues with ecology and wildlife had been appropriately addressed by the developer.
• This was a policy compliant development.
• There was some concern on the pathway of badgers on the site.
• The dedicated parking for the rear properties was appreciated.
• There was a need for new family housing and there would be an additional four houses provided by the proposed development.
• There was a desire for the approval conditions to include maintenance for the meadows at the rear of the site.

The substantive motion to GRANT the application based on the officer’s recommendation was proposed by Councillor Kabir. This was seconded by Councillor Lee.

The motion to grant the application was taken to a vote and carried with six Members voting in favour.

The Committee RESOLVED to GRANT the application for the development at 86 & 88 Caterham Drive, Coulsdon, CR5 1JG.