One five-bedroom house at 19 Downsview Road, Upper Norwood, London SE19

What was proposed

The application proposed a two-storey five-bedroom home with cycle and refuse storage, parking and landscaping.

“Erection of a two-storey dwelling (5 bedroom) • Cycle and refuse storage • Associated parking and landscaping…”

“Amendments have been submitted during the course of the application process to include the reduction of the scale of the building and design changes. Re- consultation has been undertaken.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The vacant site slopes upwards and lies in a mainly residential area with houses and larger flats nearby.

“Site and Surroundings 3.3 This application concerns an area of land (approximately 0.1066 ha in area) which lies on the eastern side of Downsview Road and currently a vacant site. The immediate area is primarily residential, comprising a mix of single storey and two storey dwellings along Downsview Road and larger 3 storey flatted developments further to the East (along Woodlands Road).”

“The site slopes fairly steeply upwards to the North/North East. The site has a Public Transport Accessibility Level (PTAL) of 2 (low), and Downsview Road (in front of the site) has a 1 in 30 year (high) risk of surface water flooding.”

Officer report

Earlier applications and works

Earlier permissions covered flats, but work stopped after a successful High Court challenge concerning a covenant restricting the land to one house per plot.

“Relevant Planning History 3.5 19/05507/PRE: Demolition of existing dwelling. Erection of 2 storey replacement building (with basement and roofspace accommodation) comprising 9 flats (2x1 bedroom, 4x2 bedroom and 3x3 bedroom apartments) with associated amenity space and cycle/waste stores. Closed.”

“The conditions were approved for this 2020 permission and significant work started on site. A High Court Challenge was successful due a covenant on the land to restrict to one house per plot. Works stopped on this site following the High Court decision. Whilst the planning permission has been partially implemented, given the High Court decision, little weight is given to the consideration of the fall back position in this case.”

Officer report

The officer recommendation

Officers recommended granting permission, subject to conditions and informatives.

“That the Committee resolve to GRANT planning permission.”

“That the Director of Planning and Sustainable Regeneration has delegated authority to issue the planning permission and impose conditions and informatives to secure the following matters:”

Officer report

Why officers supported it

Officers considered the home would add family housing, fit the area, protect neighbours and manage transport, drainage, trees, biodiversity and fire safety acceptably.

“SUMMARY OF KEY REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATION • The principle of a new residential development at the site would contribute to the Borough’s housing targets. • The proposed development is appropriate to the character of the area.”

“The development would have an acceptable effect upon neighbouring living conditions. • The layout of the proposed flats and amenity areas would offer suitable living conditions for residents. • Officers are satisfied that the proposal’s impact on biodiversity could be acceptable subject to conditions. The proposal would not result in harm to existing trees subject to conditions. Landscaping details would be subject to detailed conditions.”

Officer report

Comments from residents and councillors

Twenty responses included sixteen objections and four comments, raising concerns about design, amenity, parking, drainage and future intensification.

“Scale and massing [Officer response: discussed in the report] • Privacy [Officer response: discussed in the report] • Design and character [Officer response: discussed in the report] • Drainage and landscaping [Officer response: discussed in the report. • Future intensification [Officer response: Any future planning applications will be assessed at the time of submission]”

“SUMMARY OF OBJECTIONS RESPONSE Principle of development Future intensification- could be converted in flats Any future planning applications will be assessed at the time of submission. However, it is also note from the High Court decision that the convent stand on the site in relation to one house per plot. Future development could take place in the roofspace This comment was made on the originally submitted scheme.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The agent and a councillor spoke in support of the application.

The committee debate

After the speakers finished, the committee deliberated.

“After the speakers had finished, the Committee deliberated.”

Minutes

The vote

The motion to grant was proposed and seconded, then passed with five votes in favour, none against and one abstention.

“The motion to GRANT the application based on the officer’s recommendation, was proposed by Councillor Fraser. This was seconded by Councillor Fish.”

“The motion to GRANT the application was taken to a vote and carried with five members voting in favour, no members voting against and one member voting to abstain.”

Minutes

The decision

The committee resolved to grant the application.

“Therefore, the Committee RESOLVED to GRANT the application for 19 Downsview Road, Upper Norwood, SE19 3XD”

Minutes