Agenda item

The Principal Development Management Officer (PDMO) introduced a report on an application from Mr J Broom seeking a planning permission for the demolition of existing buildings and the erection of a three-storey building to provide 12 flats, together with access, disabled car parking spaces, amenity space and landscaping at 2a Cranborne Road and land adjoining, Barking. This application followed a previous application for a similar development which was refused on the grounds of design, impacts on neighbouring amenity, lack of landscaping provision to offset the loss of existing green space and a failure to provide affordable housing. 

In addition to internal and internal consultations, a total of 28 letters were sent to neighbouring properties together with the requisite site and press notices. A petition containing 39 signatures from residents in Cranborne Road was received which questioned the validity of the consultation process and objected to the application on the grounds of the loss of privacy and light/overshadowing, adequacy of parking provision, impact on highway safety, noise and disturbance, crime, anti-social behaviour and disruption from the associated works. The officer comments on the petition grounds were contained in the planning assessment detailed in the report.

Mr Jeff Watson, the applicant and Mr Ian Phillips, planning consultant made brief statements to the Committee about their involvement in this proposal and their desire to bring forward a high quality scheme for the benefit of the Borough and its residents, including a significant financial contribution to the provision of affordable housing. 

In response to the officer presentation clarification was sought as to the change in this application to that previously refused in relation specifically to scale and massing. The PDMO explained that the building lines of that part of the new development adjacent to existing properties in Cranborne Road had been stepped back to ensure that the overbearing nature of the structure on existing properties was reduced overall.

A question was also raised as to the affordable housing element of the new application. The PDMO stated that in negotiations with the applicant agreement had been reached to provide a financial contribution for affordable housing over and above the minimum requirement of the equivalent cost of two units, based on an independent financial viability review. Offices had on balance decided that given its limitations, rather than provide the units on this site it would be preferable to use the monies to support that affordable element elsewhere in the Borough.

Following careful consideration of the relevant provisions of the National Planning Policy Framework, the Development Plan and all other relevant material considerations, the proposal was seen as acceptable. Officers were satisfied that any potential material harm in terms of the impact of the proposal on the surrounding area would reasonably be mitigated through compliance with the listed conditions and associated legal agreement, and  therefore,

The Committee resolved to: 

1. Agree the reasons for approval as set out in this report,

2. Delegate authority to the Director of Inclusive Growth (or other authorised Officer) in consultation with LBBD Legal Services, to grant planning permission subject to the completion of a legal agreement under S106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended), based on the Heads of Terms identified at Appendix 7 and the Conditions listed at Appendix 6 of the report, and

3. That, if by 21 June 2021 the legal agreement has not been completed, the Director of Inclusive Growth (or other authorised Officer) had delegated authority to refuse planning permission or extend this timeframe to grant approval.