The meeting approved the making of an Article 4 Direction for the Great North Wood, as well as a planning application for the part-demolition and redevelopment of Chatelain House.

Proposed Article 4(1) Direction to withdraw Permitted Development Rights for operations within part of the Dulwich Wood Conservation Area, within and adjacent to Ancient Woodland

The committee approved the making of a non-immediate Article 4(1) direction for the area surrounding ancient woodland in the Dulwich Wood area. An Article 4 direction removes certain permitted development rights¹, meaning that people will have to apply for full planning permission for work they would usually be able to carry out without it.

The council is proposing this direction to protect ancient woodland, and other features that may be present near to it.

The categorisation of land as an ancient woodland does not itself provide any statutory protection. However, some features in ancient woods are protected and sites can also be designated for their wildlife value.

The direction relates to three areas:

Sub Area 1: Cox’s Walk, Sydenham Hill and the Woodland, the Golf Course, and the Allotments

This area covers the woodland itself, as well as the Dulwich and Sydenham Golf Club and the Grange Lane and Gunsite allotments. The direction aims to ensure that any development on these sites preserves the woodlands, their soils, vegetation and wildlife.

Sub Area 2: Crescent Wood Road and Great Brownings

This area covers housing developments in Crescent Wood Road and Great Brownings, which border the woodland. The direction will restrict the installation of hardstanding, inappropriate planting and new structures in gardens backing onto the woodland, to protect it from light pollution and encroachment.

Sub Area 3: Woodhall Drive and College Road

This area covers properties in Woodhall Drive and College Road, with back gardens bordering the woodland. As in Sub Area 2, the direction restricts the installation of hardstanding, inappropriate planting and new structures in gardens to prevent harm to the woodland.

The meeting heard that the council considered the Great North Wood to be an irreplaceable habitat, that deserved protection. The report noted that, although ancient woodland is not statutorily protected, it takes hundreds of years to establish, and provides a unique and irreplaceable habitat for plants and animals.

The committee discussed the rights of disabled residents to adapt their homes.

For older disabled people and disabled children and adults who may need home adaptations/ and additional build requirements, these will still be possible subject to any requisite mitigations which preserve the Ancient Woodland.

The council plans to consult with residents and stakeholders on this proposal before making a final decision.

24/AP/0892 Chatelain House, 182-202 Walworth Road, London, SE17

The committee voted to grant planning permission for the redevelopment of Chatelain House. The development involves the part-demolition and part-retention of the existing building, to provide student accommodation, residential accommodation, commercial, business and service floorspace, and community floorspace within two buildings of 6 to 7 storeys. The approval is subject to conditions and the signing of a Section 106 legal agreement².

The proposal retains a significant portion of the existing building, and reduces embodied carbon by removing the need for basement excavation.

Affordable Housing

The development will provide 283 student bedrooms and 23 affordable homes. These will all be let at social rent levels.

Originally the offer was 72% social rent / 28% intermediate rent, however, as the applicant was unable to provide any affordable student housing due to viabilit constraints, officers instead accepted an improved conventional affordable housing offer to compensate.

Community and Commercial Space

The development will provide a community space of 177 sqm, as well as two flexible commercial units of 475 sqm.

The expectation is that these units will provide retail, restaurant or café use, however in the context of the current economic climate there is a need for flexibility in this regard.

Transport and Servicing

The development will be car-free except for two disabled parking spaces. Servicing, waste collection and deliveries will take place from a loading bay on Manor Place. The applicant has also agreed to make contributions towards improved cycling infrastructure in the local area.

Design and Heritage

The development will retain the structure of the existing Walworth Road facade, which will reduce embodied carbon. The committee felt that the development would be appropriate for the surrounding area.

The prevailing height along Walworth Road is 3 to 5 storeys, with the majority of the 5 and 6 floors of the proposal being set back, creating a sculptural mansard.

There will be minor harm to the Tankard Public House. This locally-listed pub is considered a non-designated heritage asset, meaning that it is not statutorily protected.

There would be some minor harm to the significance of the locally listed building by the development and its dominant form.

Despite this harm, the committee felt that the development’s benefits outweighed its negative impacts.

The application was supported by a number of consultees, including the Environment Agency, the Metropolitan Police, and the Health and Safety Executive. The committee approved a number of conditions related to the development, including the preparation of a construction environmental management plan and the retention of landscaping for the lifetime of the development.