18 residential units at 2b Rathmore Road, Charlton, London SE7

Earlier application and changes

After deferral in October 2024, the top floor, basement and commercial storage use were removed, reducing the scheme from 20 to 18 homes.

“Members resolved to defer the planning application to allow the applicant to address concerns raised during that meeting which focussed on the use of the ground floor and basement as self-storage units and the height of the building.”

“The applicant has amended the scheme by omitting the top floor of the building, and by omitting the commercial use from the scheme so it is now wholly residential. The number of dwellings has now been reduced from twenty (20) to eighteen (18). The scheme no longer has a basement level.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Twenty-one objections were received, while highways and waste officers considered the revised scheme acceptable subject to obligations and conditions.

“Following the submission of the amended plans and documents, one hundred and fifty eight (158) letters were sent to local residents informing them of the proposed changes. In addition, site notices were displayed on 29 th January 2025 and a press notice dated 05/02/2025 has also been used as well to inform local residents of the amended details.”

“The building is too high and will block views from the neighbouring properties. There is no right to a view from a private property when considering planning applications. The building will overshadow its neighbours and block out their light A revised light assessment has bene submitted with the revised scheme and is Removing the existing vehicular access will be secured within the s106 Agreement and the other highways related obligations contained within section 30 of the…”

Officer report

Residents’ concerns

Objectors raised concerns about the building’s height, privacy, character, loss of the garage, jobs, traffic, pollution, light and waste storage.

“Summary of Comments Officers’ comments Loss of vital local business This matter has already been dealt with in the main report The building is not in keeping with the size and character of dwellings on this side of Victoria Way The height of the building has been reduced from the previous iteration of the scheme. Design and character issues are discussed in section 9 of this addendum report and section 16/17 of the main report.”

Officer report

Who spoke

A resident spoke against the application, another resident supported it, and the applicant’s agent explained the revisions and proposed benefits.

Members’ debate

Members welcomed efforts to address earlier concerns but remained concerned about height and the absence of on-site affordable or social housing.

“Minutes of the Plannign Baord meeting of 8 April 2025 Page No.5 The Planning Board Members moved to determining the application with Members expressing their appreciation of the developers’ efforts to address their earlier concerns. Members expressed they would have preferred a lower height design more in keeping with Victoria Way.”

“Members expressed disappointment or concern there was still a lack of on- site affordable or social housing.”

Minutes

The vote

The Chair’s recommendation to grant permission was supported by eight members, with none against and none abstaining.

“The Chair put the recommendation to grant planning consent to the vote with – 8 Members in favour 0 Members against 0 Members abstained…”

Minutes

The decision

The Board granted full planning permission subject to a Section 106 agreement, approved drawings and recommended conditions.

“That consent is subject to: (i) The satisfactory completion of a Section 106 (S106) Legal Agreement (planning obligations set out in Section 15 of the addendum report); and…”

Minutes