Lewisham Council's Planning Committee B has deferred a decision on plans for two semi-detached dwellings at Silk Close, rear of 53 Leyland Road, SE12. The committee requested further information regarding parking surveys, the impact on a protected tree, and emergency service access.
Officers considered the principle of development acceptable and the proposed homes to be of high quality. The proposed dwellings are described as two semi-detached, four-bedroom dwellings
with two-storey plus basement and roof space
. Their architectural style is described as domestic scale and form, incorporating a mansard roof with roof terraces to the rear. External materials proposed include light buff brick, aluminium framed casement windows, dark grey hung tiles to the mansard and a dark grey zinc canopy to the front doors.
The resulting three-storey form is considered not uncharacteristic of the wider area, with several nearby properties along Silk Close, Rose Way and Dorville Road.
However, concerns were raised by objectors regarding the loss of communal garden space for existing residents, the potential impact on a protected tree (TPO), and the overall design and massing of the proposed dwellings.
Regarding the loss of communal garden space, objectors raised concerns about the loss of communal external amenity space to 53 Leyland Road
. While a previous permission had established a communal garden, the report notes that this was never implemented in its entirety
and had no direct access
. Despite this, the current proposal would result in the loss of this space. The council's policy on the loss of communal garden space, outlined in LePP QD10, generally resists the use of garden land for new development except in exceptional circumstances. However, the report concludes this policy is not applicable in this instance as the site has infill characteristics
and direct frontage and access onto Silk Close
.
Concerns were also raised about the impact on a protected tree. The meeting information mentions a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) tree located within the remaining garden of No 53, with a large portion of the root protection area (RPA) located in the southwestern corner of the application site
. This is identified as a Category A1 Copper Beech tree
. Mitigation strategies discussed include reduction in size to the rear lightwells to prevent harm to the TPO root protection area
, and the proposed tree protection measures are considered satisfactory. Further protection measures would be outlined in the Arboricultural Impact Assessment, Arboricultural Method Statement, and Tree Protection Plan, secured by condition.
The deferral was granted to allow for further information to be provided on these matters. Specifically, a full parking survey covering peak commercial trading days, including arrangements for the 17 carpark spaces to be used for short stay purposes
was required. The acceptable outcome for these surveys would be to provide clarity on parking arrangements and their impact on highway safety and capacity.
Further details on the planning application can be found in the Public reports pack for the Planning Committee B meeting on 12th August 2026. Public reports pack 12th-Aug-2026 19.00 Planning Committee B.pdf
