Self-storage facility at Land Off Chapel Road, London SE27

The site and surroundings

The vacant brownfield site is at the junction of Knight’s Hill and Chapel Road, beside commercial uses and near residential properties.

“↑ To contents 2. Site context and proposal 2.1 Site description 2.1.1 The application site (“the Site”) is located at the junction of Knight's Hill and Chapel Road to the south of West Norwood district centre. It lies within the West Norwood Commercial Area KIBA and is a cleared vacant brownfield site surrounded by hoardings. The Site was previously occupied by the former South London College.”

“A number of trees on the site are protected by Tree Preservation Order 423. These include a London Plane (T1), Sycamore (T2), Norway Maple (T3), Field Maple (T4) and a group of 6 Lime (G1) trees. The Site is not within a conservation area or within the West Norwood District Centre. Whilst there are no statutorily listed buildings on or neighbouring the Site, there are a number of locally listed buildings to the south of the Site on Chapel Road (Nos.”

Officer report

Earlier applications

Earlier proposals for the site were refused in 2008, 2018 and 2023, including concerns about noise, design, highway safety, land use and planning obligations.

“Amendments 2.2.7 Minor design changes were made to reduce the amount of red cladding on the facades. Relevant planning history Application site 2.3.1 The relevant planning history is as follows: Planning applications…”

“08/01231/OUT was refused on 30.07.2008 for ‘In outline, the erection of a part three, part four storey building comprising a cash & carry warehouse (class B8), offices (Class B1) and community hall (class D1), together with associated basement level car parking, new vehicular access on to Knight's Hill and Chapel Road, and pedestrian access on to Chapel Road, with respect to siting, design, external appearance and means of access’ Reasons for refusal: 1) There would be…”

Officer report

What people objected to

Objections concerned the repeated storage use, community benefit, scale, heritage, daylight, outlook, traffic, speeding, noise, trees, biodiversity and consultation.

“↑ To contents Excessive scale and massing The scale is considered to be acceptable for the Site. This is discussed further in the design section. Harm to Heritage Assets The conservation officer has assessed the application, and there is considered to be no harm to the heritage assets. "stock brick and metal composite cladding" does not fit with the over 100 year old houses that are on Chapel Road The design has been assessed as being in keeping with the surroundings.”

“↑ To contents segregated loading infrastructure increases the risk of vehicles queuing or manoeuvring unsafely, potentially backing up onto the highway Has the increased noise or traffic and people access site 24 hrs been assessed The application is not for a 24 hour use, and hours of operation are conditioned.”

Officer report

Who spoke

There were no registered speakers.

The committee vote

Councillor Malcolm Clark moved the recommendation, Councillor Diogo Costa seconded it, and the committee resolved unanimously.

“25/02646/FUL It was MOVED by Councillor Malcolm Clark and SECONDED by Councillor Diogo Costa…”

Minutes

The decision

Conditional planning permission was granted subject to a satisfactory Section 106 deed, with authority delegated to finalise conditions and obligations.

“To grant conditional planning permission subject to the completion of a satisfactory deed under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 containing the planning obligations as set out in the officer report, addenda and/or PAC minutes.”

“Agree to delegate authority to the Director of Climate, Planning and Transport to: (a). Finalise the recommended conditions as set out in the officer report, addenda and/or PAC minutes; and (b). Negotiate, agree and finalise the planning obligations as set out in the officer report, addenda and/or PAC minutes pursuant to Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.”

Minutes

If the deed is not completed

If the Section 106 deed is not completed within six months, delegated authority was given to refuse permission.

“In the event that a satisfactory Section 106 deed is not completed within six months of the date of the Committee meeting, delegated authority is given to the Director of Climate, Planning and Transport to refuse planning permission for failure to enter into a Section 106 deed providing for the obligations considered necessary to make the development acceptable in planning terms as identified in the officer report, addenda and/or the PAC minutes.”

Minutes