Seven homes at Land To The Rear Of 41 Church Road, Bexleyheath

“Planning permission is sought for the demolition of the existing buildings and the erection of seven dwellings with associated works. The current application is a revised proposal following the refusal of application reference 24/00698/FUL, which sought the erection of two two-storey and five three-storey dwellinghouses with associated parking and vehicular access, following demolition of the existing commercial units.”

“Refuse would be stored within the site near the site entrance. Cycle parking would be provided within the curtilage of each dwelling or within designated storage areas, subject to confirmation on the submitted plans. Each dwelling would be provided with private amenity space. The proposal also includes associated hard and soft landscaping, boundary treatments and access works.”

“The application site is located on the eastern side of Church Road and comprises buildings and land to the rear of 41 Church Road, Bexleyheath, immediately west of Bexleyheath Cemetery. No. 41 Church Road is a two-storey building in use as a day nursery. The building has brick elevations, a front gable and a ground-floor bay window, with a series of rear additions.”

“Vehicular access to the rear part of the site is constrained, with a narrow access route from Church Road along the southern side of the nursery building and a tight internal bend before reaching the rear parking/courtyard area.”

“The proposal would result in the loss of non-designated employment space without replacement or justification, contrary to policies E4 and E7 of the London Plan and Policy SP3 of the Bexley Local Plan.”

“The proposed development would result in a loss of parking spaces, previously secured by planning condition, that are important for the operation of the adjacent nursery at 41 Church Road, and would have an unsatisfactory system of collection of refuse that would be likely to lead to bins being deposited, and causing an obstruction, on the access road to the development and the four remaining parking spaces. Overall this would result in a likelihood of parking…”

“REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATION The proposal would make effective use of a previously developed backland site within a sustainable location and would provide seven additional dwellings in an area where residential use is acceptable in principle.”

“Subject to conditions, the development is considered acceptable in respect of character and appearance, neighbouring amenity, quality of accommodation, highways, ecology, drainage, contaminated land, sustainability and fire safety. The proposal is therefore considered to accord with the development plan when read as a whole, and there are no material considerations which would justify refusal.”

“Thames Water raises no objection in respect of wastewater network, sewage treatment, water network or water treatment infrastructure capacity. In relation to surface water drainage, Thames Water advises that the developer should follow the sequential approach and London Plan Policy SI 13, with prior approval required where discharge to a public sewer is proposed.”

“Thames Water also advises that public sewers cross or lie close to the site and that the developer should ensure the development does not affect sewer maintenance or infrastructure. Informatives are recommended regarding works near Thames Water assets, use of mains water during construction, and minimum water pressure/flow assumptions for design purposes.”

“Harm to neighbouring amenity, including overlooking/loss of privacy, poor outlook, loss of sunlight, noise and disturbance. ➢ Overdevelopment/intensification of the site, resulting in increased traffic, congestion and on-street parking pressure on Church Road. ➢ Insufficient parking and drop-off provision, including loss/ displacement of nursery parking, inadequate nursery drop-off arrangements, obstruction of the…”

“The Committee discussed the application and noted the report and the Addendum item for this application.”

“Following their discussion, the Committee RESOLVED on a vote of 10/1 to approve the application in accordance with the recommendation as set out in the report before them, and as amended by the Addendum.”