Agenda item

Demolition of two existing buildings: erection of a part 6, part 7 storey building (Block A) and part 4, part 5 and part 6 storey building (Block B) comprising a total of 30 flats (5 x 1?bedroom; 17 x 2? bedroom; 6 x 3?bedroom; and 2 x 4? bedroom flats) and a 2?storey building (Block C) comprising 3 x 3?bedroom townhouses with the provision of 17 car parking spaces (including wheelchair accessible parking), 60 cycle parking spaces, refuse and recycling area, associated landscaped communal amenity areas and formation of vehicular access

Ward: Upper Norwood

Recommendation: Grant permission

Demolition of two existing buildings: erection of a part 6, part 7 storey building (Block A) and part 4, part 5 and part 6 storey building (Block B) comprising a total of 30 flats (5 x 1-bedroom; 17 x 2-bedroom; 6 x 3-bedroom; and 2 x 4-bedroom flats) and a 2-storey building (Block C) comprising 3 x 3-bedroom townhouses with the provision of 17 car parking spaces (including wheelchair accessible parking), 60 cycle parking spaces, refuse and recycling area, associated landscaped communal amenity areas and formation of vehicular access

Ward: Upper Norwood

Members queried the design, regarding the number of storeys.  Officers explained that the revision broke up the massing so there is not a wall on the corner.  Having two storeys there reflected the buildings in the area.

Mr Ben Lenders, representing St Valery residents (opposite the site), spoke in objection and raised the following concerns:

·         Density: London Plan exceeded, with massing which will impact on

·         Heritage: The aesthetics are not in line with the street scene

·         Overlooking: 7 storeys – although set back from the road, it will impact on the block opposite, which is only 3 storeys

·         Public transport access links (PTAL) only rated at 2 - very poor – which will exacerbate parking issues

Mr Richard Quelch (GVA) and Eric Wong (EADY architecture) spoke as agents, on behalf of the applicant and made the following points:

·         Development is addressing the housing crisis

·         Discussions with officers have led to a number of revisions: reduction in number of homes, reduction in massing, simplified elevational design, increased affordable housing from 21 to 36%

·         Good relationship with landscape

·         Redevelopment of an unused site

·         Good quality design

·         Good proportion of family housing

·         Any negative relationship to St Valery mitigated by window patterning.

The Director of Planning and Strategic Transport and planning officers made the following points:

·         This is a site with a considerable planning history, but officers are satisfied that previous reasons for refusal have been addressed. 

·         It is a good quality scheme. 

·         It provides a good level of family units and 36% affordable housing. 

·         Density: good quality design goes a long way to addressing density levels.  The new London Plan has done away with the density matrix

·         Separation distances of 15.4m and 52.8m between the blocks and neighbouring properties gives satisfactory separation. The proposal would be set back approximately 51.4m from 54 Beulah Hill

·         Officers consider there is adequate parking

Members commented that they were disappointed at the lack of social rented units.  However, the housing association has confirmed this is the best approach on a smallish scheme.  Retention of trees is important and there are some significant trees on the site.  The new scheme is positive, with a lot of open space around the site. 

After consideration of the officer's report, Councillor Paul Scott proposed and Councillor Jamie Audsley seconded the officer's recommendation and the Committee voted 9 in favour and 1 against, so planning permission was GRANTED for development at 49-51 Beulah Hill, Upper Norwood, London SE19 3DS.

At 8:40pm Councillor Bernadette Khan left the Chamber.