Bexley Council's Planning Committee has deferred a decision on a proposed residential development at 24 Broomfield Road, Bexleyheath, citing concerns over the scale and massing of the project.
The committee voted to defer the application for six new residential dwellings, which would be built on land behind numbers 26-28 Broomfield Road, to allow for further consideration of potential amendments. Councillors expressed concerns regarding the scale and massing of the development, its potential impact on neighbouring amenity, and the loss of a Category B tree.
Councillor Thomas Clapperton and Councillor Abi Johnson proposed the deferral, suggesting that amendments could potentially retain the tree and reduce the overall bulk of the development. The decision on the erection of six residential dwellings at 24 Broomfield Road was deferred to allow for further consideration of amendments that could potentially retain the Category B tree (T10) and reduce the scale and bulk of the development.
During the meeting, objectors raised issues including the impact on a mature English yew tree, identified as T10. The tree officer's assessment categorizes it as Category B, meaning it is of 'relatively good quality' and health, though it is not protected by a Tree Preservation Order (TPO). Concerns were also voiced about the adequacy of access arrangements for large vehicles, the policy implications of developing garden land, potential overdevelopment, and the impact on neighbouring properties.
The proposed access arrangements involve a shared-surface private driveway from Broomfield Road. Objectors raised concerns about its adequacy for large vehicles, including refuse trucks and emergency vehicles, citing its narrowness and potential for conflict. While officers stated that a standard fire truck could navigate and turn within the access, concerns were raised about the feasibility for multiple fire engines or larger refuse trucks, and the overall tightness of the access road.
Bexley Local Plan Policy DP2, Part 2, specifically addresses development on residential gardens. It states that development will be resisted unless certain tests are met, one of which is the retention of natural features such as trees. Objectors argued that this proposed development is garden land, not backland development, and that the loss of trees, including the Category B tree T10, conflicts with this policy. Councillor Clapperton identified potential policy conflicts with Bexley Local Plan Policy DP2 and London Plan Policy G7 regarding the retention of distinctive landscape and nature conservation features, specifically the Category B tree T10. Additionally, concerns were raised about the scale and massing of the development and its potential impact on neighbouring properties, which may conflict with Policy DP2.
The committee also discussed the definition and distinction between 'backland' and 'garden' development. Bexley Local Plan Policy DP2 addresses both 'backland and infill sites' and 'development on residential gardens', stating that 'These things are not mutually exclusive concepts. And the policy deals with both scenarios, i.e. one of the same in this case.' The application site is described as both backland development and current garden land.
The agent for the application, Sandy Sutherland, stated that the scheme complies with all relevant planning policies and provides much-needed family homes. However, councillors highlighted conflicts with policies regarding the retention of natural features and the impact on neighbouring amenity.
Ultimately, the decision to defer was made to allow for further consideration of the scheme's scale and its impact on the local environment and residents. The application for six residential dwellings at 24 Broomfield Road was deferred to the next planning committee meeting, which is believed to be on September 3rd. See the Public reports pack for the meeting.
