Eight flats and community space at 5 Beechcroft Road, London SW17

“27/03/2017 (2017/0559): Refused: Demolition of community building. Erection of three-storey building to provide 2 x 3-bedroom and 4 x 2-bedroom flats, including front and rear balconies at first and second floor levels, and associated landscaping. Provision of cycle and refuse storage. (Reasons for refusal): 1.”

“SITE DETAILS: The application site is a rectangular site measuring 0.037ha located on the south-western side of Beechcroft Road. It currently comprises a single storey U-shaped building with a front courtyard area facing onto the street. The front boundary treatment features a high rendered wall (2 to 2.5 metres high) and a metal vehicular and pedestrian gate.”

“Directly adjacent to the south of the site are properties fronting Upper Tooting Road with commercial uses at ground floor level and residential units located on the upper floors above. To the west, the site backs onto the rear gardens of Nos. 68, 70 and 72 Upper Tooting Road, which are all Grade II Listed Buildings. To the north of the site lies St. Peter’s Church and the associated Church Hall. On the opposite side of the road are two storey terraced residential properties.”

“15/12/2023 (2023/1508) Approved: Demolition of existing building and erection of a three- storey building to provide 7 x residential units (1 x 3-bed, 2 x 2-bed and 4 x 1-bed units) (Class C3) with balconies, and the use of part ground floor as a community use (Class F2).”

“This application follows the grant of planning permission under Ref: 2023/1508, which approved the demolition of the existing building and the erection of a three-storey building comprising seven residential units (4 x one-bedroom, 2 x two-bedroom and 1 x three- bedroom) with balconies, together with community floor space at ground floor level (Use Class F2). Planning permission was granted on 15 th December 2023 and remains extant.”

“Flats 03 and 04 would comply with the minimum private amenity space standards set out in Policy LP27 of the Wandsworth Local Plan (2023). The remaining units would fall short of this standard by between 3.5 and 7 sq.m, respectively. However, Officers have afforded weight to the physical constraints of the site, the retention of replacement community floor space and the need to achieve an appropriate relationship with neighbouring properties and nearby listed buildings.”

“Substantial weight is attached to the public benefits arising from the proposal. These include the redevelopment of a long vacant and underused brownfield site, the delivery of eight residential units, representing one additional dwelling compared with the extant permission and making a modest contribution towards the Borough’s identified housing need, the provision of a modern purpose-built community facility that would replace an outdated vacant building and…”

“Neighbour Consultation Summary OBJECTION: Two objections were received was received from neighbouring occupiers. The points raised are summarised as follows: • Loss of daylight and sunlight to neighbouring properties • Overlooking and loss of privacy • Increased traffic congestion and parking pressures on Beechcroft Road • Concerns regarding the impact of construction works, including parking, vehicle access, construction timing and duration • Queries regarding the proposed…”

“SUPPORT: One representation in support of the application was received from the applicant’s agent. The representation responded to some of the matters raised within the objections received, and the points are summarised below. • The submitted Daylight and Sunlight Assessment demonstrate compliance with BRE guidance. • The proposal is of a similar scale and massing to the extant permission and would sit appropriately within the surrounding built context.”

“Principle of Development • Housing Mix • Affordable Housing • Design, Appearance and Heritage Impacts • Standard of Accommodation • Neighbouring Amenity Impact • Noise and Disturbance • Trees • Ecology, Biodiversity Net Gain and Landscaping…”

“Highways and Transportation • Waste Management • Flood Risk and Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS) • Sustainability • Archaeology • Contamination • Fire Safety and Emergency Evacuation…”

“A Member noted that a previous version of this application had been considered by the Committee. They added that this application appeared to be better designed, in their view, and proposed one additional unit which seemed appropriate.”

“RESOLVED - (unanimous) that planning permission be granted as set out in the report, noting the additional information as set out in the late items of correspondence paper.”