The Strategic Planning Committee met to discuss the redevelopment of Thomas Lane Yards in Catford. The committee voted to approve the application, referring it to the Mayor of London for final approval, after hearing concerns about the height of the buildings, the quality of accommodation, and the impact on nearby heritage assets and a music venue. The approval is subject to conditions and the completion of a legal agreement.

Thomas Lane Yard Redevelopment

The committee considered an application for the redevelopment of Thomas Lane Yard, involving the demolition of existing buildings and the construction of two new buildings, ranging from eight to 12 storeys. The development aims to provide 113 affordable residential units and flexible commercial floorspace.

Key aspects of the proposal:

• Affordable Housing: The development will provide 100% affordable housing, with a mix of social rent and shared ownership units.
• Commercial Space: The scheme includes 1,230 square meters of flexible commercial floor space, intended for retail, offices, or community-oriented businesses.
• Public Realm: The plans include new pedestrian routes, landscaping, and sustainable urban drainage systems¹.
• Car-Free Development: The development is designed to be car-free, with 210 cycle parking spaces provided.

Concerns and Objections:

• Building Height: Some public consultation responses raised concerns about the height of the buildings and their impact on the local skyline.
• Residential Amenity: Concerns were raised regarding internal space standards, storage space, and the proximity of balconies to the Sister Midnight venue.
• Heritage Assets: Objections were received regarding the potential adverse impact on the setting of heritage assets, including the Catford Bridge Tavern, Broadway Theatre, Catford Constitutional Club, and Holbeach Primary School.
• Transport: Concerns were raised about additional pressure on public transport, insufficient car parking provision, and increased congestion.

Committee Discussion and Decision:

• Councillor Liam Curran proposed refusing the application, citing concerns about the impact on the Livesey as an Asset of Community Value², the quality of design, and the lack of a masterplan for the area.
• The motion to refuse the application was rejected.
• Councillor Edison Huynh proposed a motion to agree to the recommendations in the report, which was seconded by Councillor John Paschoud and voted on, with a result of 4 in favour and 2 against.
• The Committee RESOLVED to agree to the proposals and refer the application to the Mayor of London, subject to conditions and the completion of a legal agreement.

Addendum Report:

A supplementary agenda was published to address issues that were either omitted from the original report or required correction or updating. The addendum:

• Set out the sustainability requirements applicable to the proposed commercial floor space, including BREEAM certification.
• Corrected factual errors in the original report.
• Provided an update on further comments received from Transport for London (TfL) and outlined the resulting additional planning obligations to be secured by legal agreement, including a financial contribution of £15,000 for a revised Active Travel Zone assessment.

Other Matters Discussed

• Declarations of interest - Councillors were asked to declare any personal interest they have in any item on the agenda.
• The minutes of the Strategic Planning Committee meeting held on 22 October 2024 were confirmed as an accurate record.
• The committee unanimously agreed to defer consideration of the application relating to Scott House, 185 Grove Street, to the next meeting.