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Planning Committee (Smaller Applications) - Tuesday 25 March 2025 7.00 pm

March 25, 2025 View on council website
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Summary

The Planning Committee (Smaller Applications) was scheduled to meet on 25 March 2025 to consider two planning applications. The first concerned the refurbishment of an adventure playground in Peckham Rye Park, and the second, the construction of new sports facilities at Dulwich Sports Club.

Adventure Playground, Peckham Rye Park

The committee was scheduled to consider an application for the installation of new play equipment, safety surfacing, pathways, outdoor furniture, soft landscaping, and tree planting at the adventure playground in Peckham Rye Park.

The report pack noted that the application site is subject to several planning designations, including Metropolitan Open Land, Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Zone - CIL1, Green Chain Park, Parks and Gardens Register – Peckham Rye Park Grade II listed, Site of Importance Nature Conservation - Peckham Rye Park, Air Quality Management Zone and Critical Drainage Area.

The report pack noted that four letters of representation had been received, three of which were in support of the application, and one which was neutral. Concerns raised by the public included requests for monkey bars and additional seating, clarification on opening hours, and a request for accessible play equipment.

The report pack stated that the council's Urban Forester, Design and Conservation Team, and Ecology Officer had raised no objections, subject to conditions.

The report pack stated that the main issues to be considered were:

  • Principle of the proposed development in terms of land use
  • Design and layout
  • Heritage assets
  • Landscaping, trees and biodiversity
  • Impact of proposed development on amenity of adjoining occupiers and surrounding area
  • Ground conditions and contamination
  • Fire safety
  • Other planning matters
  • Mayoral and borough community infrastructure levy (CIL)
  • Community impact and equalities assessment
  • Human rights
  • Carbon concurrent; and
  • Positive and proactive statement.

The report pack recommended that planning permission be granted, subject to conditions.

Dulwich Sports Club, Giant Arches Road

The committee was scheduled to consider an application for the construction of outdoor playing facilities and a sports pavilion at Dulwich Sports Club on Giant Arches Road. The sports pavilion would include a croquet store, accessible WC, and an open plan kitchenette and social space. The proposals also included reducing the number of tennis courts from 11 to 10, increasing the number of floodlit tennis courts from 5 to 8, retaining the three croquet courts, and creating five new floodlit paddle courts. The existing 4m high cricket netting was also scheduled to be replaced with 10m high netting.

The report pack noted that the site is designated as Metropolitan Open Land and is adjacent to a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (Sydenham Hill and West Dulwich Railsides Site). It is also within a Conservation Area and adjacent to the Southwark Dulwich Village phase 2 Low Traffic Neighbourhood.

The report pack noted that 371 comments had been received, comprising 70 objections and 298 support comments. Objections raised included concerns about Metropolitan Open Land, over development, affecting local ecology, light pollution, noise nuisance, and parking. Letters of support cited adequate distance from other properties, high quality design, and the provision of community facilities.

The report pack stated that the main issues to be considered were:

  • Principle of the proposed development in terms of land use;
  • Affordable workspace
  • Environmental impact assessment
  • Housing mix, density and residential quality
  • Affordable housing and development viability
  • Amenity space and children’s play space
  • Design, including layout, building heights, landscaping and ecology;
  • Heritage considerations
  • Archaeology
  • Impact of proposed development on amenity of adjoining occupiers and surrounding area, including privacy, daylight and sunlight
  • Transport and highways, including servicing, car parking and cycle parking
  • Environmental matters, including construction management, flooding and air quality
  • Energy and sustainability, including carbon emission reduction
  • Ecology and biodiversity
  • Planning obligations (S.106 undertaking or agreement)
  • Mayoral and borough community infrastructure levy (CIL)
  • Consultation responses and community engagement
  • Community impact, equalities assessment and human rights

The report pack recommended that planning permission be granted subject to conditions and the applicant entering into an appropriate legal agreement. It also stated that if the requirements were not met by 25 September 2025, the director of planning and growth be authorised to refuse planning permission.

Attendees

Profile image for Councillor Cleo Soanes
Councillor Cleo Soanes  Labour •  Peckham
Profile image for Councillor Jane Salmon
Councillor Jane Salmon  Liberal Democrats •  Surrey Docks
Profile image for Councillor Sam Dalton
Councillor Sam Dalton  Deputy Cabinet Member for Supported Housing •  Labour •  London Bridge & West Bermondsey
Profile image for Councillor Sabina Emmanuel
Councillor Sabina Emmanuel  Labour •  Peckham
Profile image for Councillor Sam Foster
Councillor Sam Foster  Labour •  Faraday
Profile image for Councillor Adam Hood
Councillor Adam Hood  Liberal Democrats •  Surrey Docks
Profile image for Councillor Richard Livingstone
Councillor Richard Livingstone  Labour •  Old Kent Road
Beverley Olamijulo