Agenda item

Ward: Sanderstead

Recommendation: Grant planning permission

Erection of 2 x 3-storey dwellings accessed from Sanderstead Road with associated landscaping and bin and bike stores.

Ward: Sanderstead

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

• As there was no provision for parking on site, residents could park on nearby roads within the vicinity of the site.
• The applicant submitted a tree report which indicated that the stem diameter of the lime tree in the neighbouring garden to be 490mm and the neighbouring occupier conducted their own report and measured the stem diameter at 730mm, because of this discrepancy the Councils tree officer went to the site to measure the tree and found the stem diameter to be 640mm. Amendments were made to the external steps and rear patio accordingly.
• The transport assessment in the parking stress survey identified 185 free parking spaces, only 14% of the spaces were occupied during the night that the assessment was carried out.

Richard Lander spoke in objection to the application, Ron Davies spoke in support of the application, and the Ward Member Councillor Hale addressed the Committee with her view on the application.

After the speakers had finished, the committee began the deliberation, during which they raised the following points:

• The site was in a public transport accessibility level 2 (PTAL) area which indicated poor access to public transport, there was also a lack of parking spaces on the site.
• There were safety concerns as Sanderstead road was a fast moving and hazardous road.
• The modern design of the proposed development was out of keeping with the local area.
• There would need to be a robust construction logistics plan implemented before work could be carried out on the site.
• Road safety advice from officers meant that citing road safety issues as a reason for refusal would not be appropriate.
• There was an appreciation that the developer had taken on board the feedback regarding the implementation of family homes rather than flats.
• The public footpath alongside the site has street lamps at either end. A condition could be attached requiring lighting within the site.
• Access to the site was not step-free.
• The lack of parking in the forecourt means that there would be no vehicular crossover onto Sanderstead Road which would help with road safety.

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

The substantive motion was taken to a vote and fell with three members voting in favour and three members voting against the motion. The chair used his casting vote to vote against the motion.

Councillor Parker proposed a motion for refusal as the development was out of keeping with the local area due to the modern design and style, the development was cramped and lacked an appropriate level of access. This was seconded by Councillor Ramsey.

The motion to refuse the application was taken to a vote and carried with three Members voting in favour, two Members voting against and one Member abstained their vote.

The Committee RESOLVED to REFUSE the application for the development at 145 Purley Oaks Road, South Croydon CR2 0NZ.