The Planning Committee of Bexley Council met on Thursday, 14 November 2024, to consider several town planning applications. The committee approved three applications: alterations to the entrance of Beths Grammar School, a change of use for a property in Hill Crescent to a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO), and a change of use for a property in Tenby Road to a children's care home.

Beths Grammar School Entrance Alterations

The committee approved plans for alterations to the east entrance of Beths Grammar School in Hartford Road, Bexley, Kent. The proposal includes the installation of new fencing, turnstiles, gates, lighting, and a CCTV pole, as well as a new pedestrian gate and turnstile to the west entrance. The Highway Authority raised no objections, noting that the proposals are likely to be beneficial to pedestrian movement and highway safety. Despite eight objections from local residents citing concerns about increased traffic, parking issues, and harm to residential amenity, the committee voted 10-1 to grant planning permission.

14 Hill Crescent - Change of Use to HMO

Plans to change the use of a detached bungalow at 14 Hill Crescent, Bexley, Kent, from a dwellinghouse (Use Class C3) to a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) for a maximum of seven people were approved by a vote of 7-4. The application received significant opposition, with 100 neighbouring addresses objecting, and was also addressed by the local Member of Parliament, Louie French MP, who formally objected. Concerns raised included the property being out of keeping with the residential nature of the area, strain on local services, increased traffic and parking stress, noise, anti-social behaviour, and loss of privacy. The Designing Out Crime Officer also raised concerns about security measures, recommending the incorporation of Secured by Design principles. The committee added a condition requiring further details on hard landscaping, including a route for bin transfer, to address concerns about the pebbled drive.

9 Tenby Road - Change of Use to Children's Care Home

The committee unanimously approved, by a vote of 10-0, the change of use of 9 Tenby Road, Welling, Kent, from a dwellinghouse (Class C3) to a Class C2 Residential Institution, specifically a children's care home. The facility will accommodate up to three children aged between 7 and 17, with two staff members on duty at any time. The Highway Authority raised no objections. While the Designing Out Crime Officer raised concerns about security and the allocation of rooms, the committee imposed a condition requiring the development to achieve at least a 'Bronze' Secured by Design award to address safety and crime prevention. Seven neighbouring addresses had objected, citing concerns about the site's suitability, safety, parking stress, disturbance from shift changes, and the property being a business in a residential area. The committee noted that the property's use as a care home for a limited number of children and staff would not be significantly different in impact from its use as a large family dwelling.