Three flats at 15 Wickham Road, Beckenham
Summary of planning committee decision
Decided by Bromley Plans Sub-Committee No. 1 on 13 Aug 2026.
What was proposed
The application sought to convert a commercial building into three flats, with parking, cycle storage and refuse facilities.
“Proposal Change of use from commercial building (Use Class E) to form 3 flats (Use Class C3) with associated car parking, cycle storage and refuse provision under Schedule 2, Part 3, Class MA of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 (as amended) (56 day application for prior approval in respect of transport and highways, contamination, flooding, natural light to habitable rooms and noise impacts from commercial premises under…”
Officer report
The site
The two-storey building stands at the junction of Wickham Road and Chancery Lane, within the Chancery Lane Conservation Area.
“The site relates to a two storey rectangular building located at the junction of Wickham Road and Chancery Lane, Beckenham. There is a vehicular access point off Chancery Lane which leads to a small area of hardstanding between the application property and neighbouring building which allows for parking.”
“The site is located within the Chancery Lane Conservation Area.”
Officer report
Earlier applications
Three earlier office-to-residential applications for four flats were refused, including one dismissed on appeal.
“21/05559/RESPA - change of use from Class B1(a) offices to Class C3 (dwellinghouses) to form 4 flats (1 x 2 bed and 3 x 1 bed) with associated car parking, cycle storage and refuse provision – PRIOR APPROVAL REQUIRED AND REFUSED – 25.01.2022 / DISMISSED AT APPEAL – 11.01.2023”
“21/03316/RESPA - change of use from office (Use Class B1) to Class C3 dwellinghouses to form 4 residential units (56 day application for prior approval under Class O Part 3 of the GPDO) – PRIOR APPROVAL REQUIRED AND REFUSED – 17.09.2021”
Officer report
What officers recommended
Officers recommended prior approval because the scheme met space standards, provided good accommodation and would not cause unacceptable highway, parking or amenity impacts.
“The Council’s Highway Officer was consulted. No objections were raised in relation to parking, congestion or Highway safety. Several planning conditions are proposed in relation to parking, service and delivery, refuse, cycle parking and a Construction Management Plan.”
“Officers raise no objections to the proposal on the grounds of the considerations contained therein. Prior Approval is therefore required and recommended to be granted. Recommendation: GRANT PRIOR APPROVAL”
Officer report
Residents’ views
Sixteen responses were received, split equally between support and objection, with concerns about traffic, parking, amenity, height and natural light.
“Prior approval is sought for Change of use from commercial building (Use Class E) to form 3 flats (Use Class C3) with associated car parking, cycle storage and refuse provision under Schedule 2, Part 3, Class MA of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order2015 (as amended) (56 day application for prior approval in respect of transport and highways, contamination, flooding, natural light to habitable rooms and noise impacts from…”
“Objections - Highway Safety Risks/Accidents - Traffic congestion - Insufficient parking - Inadequate servicing arrangements - Loss of residential amenity - Concerned about the property increasing in height - What will be the impact to natural light - What will the opening hours of the café be - Overdevelopment of site…”
Officer report
Committee discussion
The Planning Officer explained that permitted development established the conversion principle and that the committee’s role concerned specified prior approval matters.
“The Planning Officer reminded the committee that the principle of converting a commercial property into residential use was established through permitted development legislation and therefore was not a matter for consideration.”
Minutes
The committee vote
Members resolved to grant prior approval.
“Members, having considered the report, RESOLVED THAT PRIOR APPROVAL BE GRANTED.”
Minutes
The decision and conditions
Prior approval was granted subject to the report’s conditions, with the three-year condition removed because it was not relevant to prior approval.
“Subject to conditions outlined in the report with the removal of the 3 yrs condition as not relevant to Prior Approval application.”
Minutes
The members' reasons
“Furthermore, Members noted that each planning application must be assessed on its own merits.”
Minutes
Source: the council's minutes, quoted word for word.
Sources
- Bromley Plans Sub-Committee No. 1 minutes, 13 August 2026
- Agenda and papers (council website)
Source: Plota analysis of Bromley's committee minutes and officer report. Quotations are the council's own words; headings and summaries are Plota's.
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See the API →At the meeting
- Committee
- Bromley Plans Sub-Committee No. 1
- Council
- Bromley
- Date
- Thursday 13 August 2026
- Recommendation
- Officers recommended approval
- Committee decided
- Approved
- Minutes
- The council's minutes
- Meeting
- Agenda and papers (council website)
- Application
- View application →
- All decisions
- Bromley committee decisions →