Five four-bedroom homes at Site rear of 5-25 Sparrows Lane, Eltham, London SE9

What was proposed

The application proposed five four-bedroom homes at the rear of existing properties, with associated works.

“That full planning permission be granted at site rear of 5-25 Sparrows Lane, Eltham, London, SE9 2BP for the Erection of five, four bedroom dwellings to the rear of 5-25 Sparrows Lane, and all associated works.”

Officer report

The site and access

The site was reached through a 30-metre access lane, retained garage access, and a controlled parking zone; the homes would be car-free.

“Minutes Local Planning Committee 30 September 2025 Page No. That the access to the site and garage area from Sparrows Lane measures approximately 30 meters in length and 3.4 meters in width, providing continued access for residents to their garages, as well as the site. As the development was car-free, residents and visitors will not be permitted to drive onto the site, emergency vehicles would have access.”

“In respect of the garaged arear, the Planning Officer and Area Planning Manager (East) confirmed the 3.6 metres clearance, between the garage doors and the site boundary, would remain unchanged and a tracking exercise showing this was adequate to allow an average family car to turn into a garage; due to their size the garages could not able to accommodate a larger car and were currently used for a mix of vehicle parking and storage.”

Minutes

Objections to the proposal

A resident said the land was an allotment and wildlife habitat, and raised concerns about biodiversity loss, noise, parking, garages and construction traffic.

“The Local Planning Committee accepted an address from a resident who, speaking in objection, stated the land was not derelict, advising that the site was used by residents as an allotment area and had been a natural habitat for over 20 years. The site supported many endangered and protected species, including bats, stag beetles, and hedgehogs and, as set out in the ecology report, would result in a net loss of nearly 80 % of habitat and not the required net gain.”

“In response to Members questions the speaker stated that they cut the grass and cleared the site weekly. That the regularly use their garage on the site, which would not be accessible if there were other vehicles using the drives as if you drive off the paved access way it was easy to get stuck in the ground. Further, the CPZ (Controlled Parking Zone) was enforceable between 9am to 11.30am and the one free car parking space was monopolised by a local builder.”

Minutes

Who spoke

A resident spoke in objection, and the applicant’s agent addressed the committee in support of the proposal.

Members’ discussion

Members debated overdevelopment, residents’ amenities, allotments, tree survival, garage access, parking, and the benefits of improving the right-of-way.

“Minutes Local Planning Committee 30 September 2025 Page No. Members moved to determine the application before them with a Member noting that there was a contradiction between the claim the site was scrub land and speakers evidence it was being used as allotments, for 20 years, therefore a large part of it will be cultivated. They were also concerned that the new trees would not be mature and die.”

“The Chair noted that the proposal was a car-free development located within a Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ), which would be enforceable. The existing residents use of the right-of-way and access to the rear of Sparrows Lane garages was protected. The use of part of the site as allotments and erection of buildings and private garage had occurred due to the neglect of the freeholder and were unauthorised and the site was also covered by brambles and rubbish.”

Minutes

The committee vote

The committee voted by four votes to one, with no abstentions, to grant planning consent.

“The Chair put the proposal to grant planning consent to the vote with - 4 Members in favour 1 Member against 0 Members abstaining…”

Minutes

The decision

Full planning permission was granted for five four-bedroom homes and associated works, subject to the stated conditions and minor wording changes.

“That the Assistant Director (Planning and Building Control) be authorised to make any minor changes to the detailed wording of the recommended conditions as set out in Appendix 2 of the report and its addendum, and the minutes of this Area Committee meeting, where the Assistant Director (Planning and Building Control) considers it appropriate, before issuing the final notice.”

Minutes