The Local Planning Committee meeting on Tuesday 14 July 2026 discussed six planning applications, with decisions made on five of them. The committee granted planning permission for a new development of six dwellings at Land to the Rear of 39-50 Vicarage Park, Plumstead, SE18 7TG, despite significant objections regarding access, amenity, and biodiversity. Permission was also granted for a single-storey rear extension and an annex/office outbuilding at 16 Eastbrook Road, Kidbrooke, SE3 8BT, and for a change of use to a six-bedroom HMO at 73 Roydene Road, Plumstead, SE18 1PZ, with conditions attached. However, the committee refused a proposal for a six-bedroom HMO at 48 Welton Road, Plumstead, SE18 2JF, primarily due to concerns about parking and highway safety. The committee also granted permission for a six-bedroom HMO at 61 Shooters Hill, Plumstead, SE18 3RL, and a three-bedroom, six-person HMO at 74 Purrett Road, Plumstead, SE18 1JP, both with conditions.

Land to the Rear of 39-50 Vicarage Park, Plumstead, SE18 7TG

Full planning permission was granted for the construction of six dwellings on land to the rear of 39-50 Vicarage Park. The development includes associated landscaping, refuse and cycle storage, and improved pedestrian access. Despite numerous objections from local residents concerning flood risk, construction impacts, accessibility issues with the stepped access and proposed platform lift, loss of trees, harm to the conservation area, overdevelopment, and ecological concerns, the committee approved the application. Concerns about the adequacy of the ecological survey and the biodiversity net loss were noted, with the applicant required to purchase government credits to enhance biodiversity elsewhere. The committee also addressed issues regarding the access lane, with conditions imposed for its safety and lighting, and for boundary treatments to prevent overlooking. The proposal was deemed to maximise the site's potential without overdevelopment, providing much-needed family-sized accommodation.

16 Eastbrook Road, Kidbrooke, SE3 8BT

Planning permission was granted for a single-storey rear extension and the erection of an annex/office outbuilding at 16 Eastbrook Road. The decision was made after considering objections regarding the potential for the annex to become a self-contained dwelling, despite the applicant's assurances and a condition limiting its use to ancillary purposes. Concerns about overlooking were addressed by a condition requiring obscured glazing for the windows facing neighbouring properties. The committee also discussed the cumulative impact of previous extensions and the property's vacant status, but ultimately approved the application with the added condition.

73 Roydene Road, Plumstead, SE18 1PZ

Full planning permission was granted for the change of use of a single-family dwelling to a six-bedroom HMO, along with a single-storey rear extension, side and rear infill extension, and an L-shaped rear dormer. This decision followed a deferral from a previous meeting to allow for a revised HMO Management Plan to be submitted, addressing concerns about effective management and potential impacts on residential amenity. The revised plan was deemed robust, detailing management arrangements, a 24-hour contact number, tenant vetting, and regular inspections. Conditions were imposed to ensure the submission of further details regarding the 24-hour emergency contact number and the operational management plan.

48 Welton Road, Plumstead, SE18 2JF

The committee refused planning permission for the change of use of a dwelling to a six-bedroom HMO, along with a single-storey rear extension and a hip-to-gable loft conversion. Councillor Pat Greenwell moved for refusal on the grounds of lack of amenity for local residents, citing noise from lifts, lighting, loss of privacy, and a sense of enclosure. Councillor Jimmy Dawodu seconded the refusal, adding concerns about inadequate disability access and parking. Councillor George Edgar expressed unease about the robustness of the environmental assessment and the impact on the nature reserve. Despite the officers' recommendation for approval, the refusal motion was carried by five votes to three, with one abstention.

61 Shooters Hill, Plumstead, SE18 3RL

Full planning permission was granted for the erection of a rear dormer and single-storey rear extension to facilitate the conversion of an existing family dwelling into a six-bedroom HMO. The application received 58 objections, including from Councillor Tamasin Rhymes, citing concerns about parking, highway safety, noise, loss of family homes, and the impact on the historic character of the area. The agent for the applicant, Luke McBrattney, addressed these concerns, highlighting the property's use for vulnerable tenants, daily support visits, and a 24-hour contact line. Environmental Health requested an acoustic assessment, which the applicant agreed to. The committee also discussed the potential for the property to be used as a halfway house, but officers clarified this was not a planning consideration. The decision to grant permission was made, subject to conditions including an HMO Management Plan and an acoustic assessment.

74 Purrett Road, Plumstead, SE18 1JP

Full planning permission was granted for the change of use from a single-family dwelling to a three-bedroom, six-person HMO, with associated cycle and refuse storage. The application had received 46 objections, raising concerns about parking, highway safety, the concentration of HMOs, loss of family homes, noise, and waste management. The Highways Officer raised no objections after reviewing a revised parking survey, and waste management was deemed acceptable. The committee approved the application, subject to conditions including the provision of six cycle parking spaces and a revised HMO Management Plan.

The meeting also discussed applications for 16 Eastbrook Road, Kidbrooke, SE3 8BT, and 73 Roydene Road, Plumstead, SE18 1PZ, both of which were granted permission. An application for 48 Welton Road, Plumstead, SE18 2JF, was refused due to concerns about parking and highway safety. The committee also granted permission for 61 Shooters Hill, Plumstead, SE18 3RL, and 74 Purrett Road, Plumstead, SE18 1JP, both for HMO conversions.

The meeting also included the confirmation of minutes from a previous meeting and a discussion on applicants submitting incorrect forms regarding freeholders. The Chair noted that this issue would be addressed with officers to prevent future occurrences.