Two semi-detached houses at Land East of 14 Chilthorne Close, Catford, London SE6

What was proposed

The application sought two two-storey semi-detached houses on land east of 14 Chilthorne Close, fronting Chilthorne Close.

“Is this report easy to understand? Please give us feedback so we can improve. Go to https://lewisham.gov.uk/contact-us/send-us-feedback-on-our-reports Application details Application reference number: DC/24/137847 Application Date: October 2024 Applicant: [the applicant]: Construction of 2, two-storey semi-detached houses on land east of 14 Chilthorne Close SE6, fronting onto Chilthorne Close.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site was an open, mostly grassed amenity area with a protected sycamore tree, near homes, a public open space and pedestrian routes.

“Background Papers: (1) Submission drawings (2) Submission technical reports and documents (3) Internal consultee responses (4) Statutory consultee responses. Designation: PTAL 5 Air Quality Area Small Houses in Multiple Occupation Article 4 Direction. Screening: N/A SITE AND CONTEXT Site description and current use 1 The application site is approximately 551sqm of open amenity space.”

“Site location plan Character of area 3 The surrounding area is predominantly residential in character with a range of housing typologies. The site is located close to Blythe Hill Fields, Ladywell Fields and St.Dunstan’s College. Heritage/archaeology 4 The site is not within a conservation area, nor is it, or close to a listed building or non- designated heritage asset. It is not located within an area of archaeological priority.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because the homes would provide housing on an underused site, with acceptable design, transport, neighbour and environmental effects.

“The Council's failure to deliver housing triggers the tilted balance, favouring permission. In the previous appeal the Planning Inspector found the principle of residential development on the site to be acceptable. While ensuring consistency in decision making is important so is recognising that plans and policies will change over time.”

“Consequently, permission should be granted unless significant and demonstrable adverse impacts outweigh the planning benefits. Substantial weight is given to these planning matters. In urban design terms, the proposed development is a high-quality design. The proposed density represents optimal use of the site. The dwellings are of an appropriate scale, and high-quality materials are proposed.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Sixteen objections were received, while air quality and highways raised no objections and ecology and trees supported approval subject to conditions.

“Letters were sent to residents and business in the surrounding area and the relevant ward Councillors on 29 th October 2024. 23 16 number responses received, comprising 16 objections, 2 of the objections were from the same address outside the borough.”

“Para.171 Impact on wildlife Para.167-171 INTERNAL CONSULTATION 24 The following internal consultees were notified on 28 th October 2024. Air Quality: No Objection 26 Highways: raised No Objections 27 Ecology- No Objection subject to conditions. Tree and landscape: No objection subject to attaching a standard tree protection and construction management conditions.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The applicant and his agent supported two family homes, while two residents objected to the scale, amenity effects, surveys and open-space arrangements.

Members’ discussion

Members questioned the fence height, development height and amenity loss, and secured a proposed management plan for the open space.

“That the proposal of building two houses on this small site was excessive, especially given the close proximity to existing homes, which would result in a significant loss of amenity and outlook for numbers 11, 12, and 13 Chilthorne Close. • That the homes were not designed by a registered architect, and no topographical survey was provided, despite the site’s steep gradient.”

“In response to Members’ request for a management plan to ensure the long- term maintenance and public benefit of the open space, the Planning Officer confirmed that Condition 18 in the report could be amended so that works on the development could not begin until a management plan for the open space was submitted and approved by the Local Planning Authority.”

Minutes

The vote

Councillor Lavery moved the recommendation, Councillor Muldoon seconded it, and the committee voted unanimously.

“In reaching a decision on the application and considering submissions made by Officers at the meeting Councillor Lavery moved the recommendation on…”

Minutes

The decision

Permission was granted subject to a satisfactory legal agreement, conditions and an amendment requiring an open-space management plan before works began.

“MOVED, SECONDED and Unanimously RESOLVED subject to completion of a satisfactory legal agreement, authorise the Director of Planning to GRANT PERMISSION:”

“- For the construction of 2, two-storey semi-detached houses on land east of 14 Chilthorne Close SE6, fronting onto Chilthorne Close, subject to conditions, including those set out in the report, and with an amendment to Condition 18 “Soft Landscaping” to ensure that the commencement of works is subject to the provision of a Management Plan to ensure the acceptable implementation of the development.”

Minutes