This meeting of the Local Planning Committee is scheduled to discuss applications for changes of use for properties and extensions to residential properties. One of the applications is for the change of use of a ground floor commercial property currently used as a cafe to a marketing suite. This has attracted significant opposition from local residents.

88 Corelli Road

An application for the change of use of 88 Corelli Road from a single dwelling house to a six bedroom House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) will be discussed. The application has been called into committee by Councillor John Fahy, one of the three Councillors representing the Kidbrooke Park ward in which 88 Corelli Road is located.

The report pack states that there have been 13 objections from neighbours to the proposals, as well as two petitions, one with 15 signatures and another with three. The objections relate to the potential impact of the new HMO on the character of the area, waste storage, the impact on the amenity of neighbouring properties, and fire safety.

The report states that the Council does not have a policy to protect the loss of family homes from conversion to HMOs. It says that the proposals would provide an acceptable quality of accommodation for residents.

it is important that the Royal Borough supports a range of homes in terms of size and tenure in order to meet a variety of housing needs. HMOs that are of a good standard form an important part of the provision of lower cost housing. However, unmanaged conversion of family housing stock to HMOs can undermine the Royal Borough’s objective to meet these varying needs and make it difficult to achieve mixed and balanced communities as set out in the Core Strategy.

Because the proposed HMO would only have a maximum of six residents, the report pack states that there would not be an unacceptable strain on local services as a result of the change of use. It also says that the proposals would preserve the amenity of neighbouring residents.

The report pack says the proposed rear extension would be acceptable in design terms, but that the rear dormer would not comply with the Council's Urban Design SPD. However, it goes on to say that a Certificate of Lawfulness has been granted for a similar dormer at the same location, so the proposed dormer is acceptable. It says the materials used in the proposed dormer and extension would match those of the existing house.

The report pack states that the development would be car free, in line with the requirements of the London Plan for developments with its PTAL rating. It says the developer is proposing to provide six cycle parking spaces. It also says the proposed waste storage would be acceptable, and that the Council's Waste Services Department is satisfied with the proposals.

Cafe Unit, 1 Oswald Gardens

An application for the temporary change of use of a ground floor commercial unit from a cafe to a sales and marketing suite will be discussed. This has attracted significant local opposition. The change of use would last for five years, or until 31 March 2030, whichever is later. The applicant, Greenwich Millennium Village Ltd, is developing the Greenwich Millennium Village, a large residential development near the O2 arena. The application has been called in by Councillor Nick Williams, one of the three Councillors representing the Peninsula ward.

The report pack records 372 objections from local residents to the application, with one letter of support being received. The objections related to the loss of the cafe, the length of time for which the change of use is being requested, and the impact on the vibrancy of the area. Some residents also expressed the belief that the developer did not intend to ever let the unit as a cafe, and that the application was therefore misleading. Some residents commented on the impact of the temporary loss of the cafe on the provision of social infrastructure in the area. Some quoted parts of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and the London Plan, saying that the proposals do not comply with them.

By creating a proper village life developer will add value to area then just having flats.

The report pack states that, while cafes are not usually considered to be social infrastructure, they do provide opportunities for people to socialise. Because there is a community centre nearby, it says the temporary loss of the cafe would be acceptable.

The report says that the cafe was marketed for 10 months, and no interest was received from potential tenants. It states that, because the proposed sales and marketing suite would be an employment generating use, even temporarily, it would be acceptable.

It is proposed that the Council's Planning Committee would impose a number of conditions on any approval of the change of use, including that a strategy for providing disabled car parking at the site, or pick-up and drop-off facilities for disabled visitors arriving by car, be submitted to the Council. The report also recommends that the Committee impose a condition requiring details of cycle parking provision for staff and visitors to be submitted to, and approved by, the Council. It also recommends the imposition of a condition requiring the developer to submit details of the waste storage and collection arrangements for the marketing suite for approval by the Council.

The report pack says that the development would be car free, in line with the London Plan's policy on car-free development.

61 Macoma Road

An application for the change of use of 61 Macoma Road from a single dwelling house to a five bedroom HMO will be discussed.

The report pack states that 18 objections were received from local residents. The objections relate to the suitability of a HMO in the area, the potential impact on the ability of other residents to sell their homes, parking and traffic, noise, anti-social behaviour, waste storage, the standard of accommodation in the proposed HMO, and the location of the proposed cycle storage.

The report pack states that, although there is no specific Council policy to protect family homes from conversion to HMOs, the Council does seek to ensure that HMOs are well managed and provide a good quality of accommodation.

The report pack says that the HMO would provide a good quality of accommodation, including adequate bedroom space, a sufficiently sized kitchen, and enough bathrooms and toilets. It says all habitable rooms in the proposed HMO would have acceptable floor-to-ceiling heights. It also says all of the proposed habitable spaces would have acceptable levels of daylight and sunlight.

Because the proposed HMO would only have a maximum of five residents, it is said that the impact on parking stress, traffic, and local services would not be unacceptable. The report pack also says that the impact on the amenity of neighbouring properties would be acceptable, and that any noise concerns would be a matter for the Council's Environmental Health team.

It says the developer is proposing to provide five cycle parking spaces in the rear garden. It is recommended that the Committee add a condition to any approval requiring details of cycle parking provision to be submitted to the Council. The report pack states that the plans show four waste bins at the front of the property, and that the Council's Waste Services team has said that five bins would be required. It recommends the Committee add a condition to any approval requiring five bins to be provided.