The Bexley Council Planning Committee met to discuss several town planning applications for development, ultimately approving applications for 41 Burnt Oak Lane, 29 Ellison Road, 19A Melanie Close, 9 The Green, Land Adjacent to 309 Halfway Street, and 99 Bexley High Street. Councillors also approved an application to vary condition 2 of planning permission Ref: 21/01708/FUL for Land Adjacent To 1-18 Evans Court, and approved alterations to the Premier Inn at 51 Albion Road. Councillors refused an application for garages adjacent to 11 Black Horse Road.

Planning Applications

The committee reviewed several planning applications, with public addresses given for some.

Land at Bursted Woods, Erith Road

The committee considered application 23/03414/FULM for land at Bursted Woods, Erith Road. Ms C Marriott spoke against the application, while Councillor Rags Sandhu, a Bexleyheath Ward Councillor, voiced residents' concerns but recused himself from voting. Ms J Batrouney, representing the applicant, spoke in favour. The committee voted 6/5 to approve the application, in line with the report's recommendation as amended by the addendum, with the Chairman using his casting vote.

Garages Adjacent to 11 Black Horse Road

Application 25/00350/FUL for garages adjacent to 11 Black Horse Road was discussed, with Ms L Ellis and Mr G Norman objecting and Mr B Kelly (Agent) supporting the application. The committee voted to refuse the application by 9/0, citing poor design, particularly the flat roof, which would fail to respect the area's character, and a lack of car parking detrimental to highway safety.

19A Melanie Close

The committee considered application 25/01116/FUL for 19A Melanie Close, with Mr R Russell objecting and Mr A Adefeso (Agent) speaking in support. The committee voted 8/1 to approve the application as recommended in the report.

176 Slade Green Road

Application 25/00147/FULM for 176 Slade Green Road was withdrawn from the agenda after the member call-in was withdrawn.

9 The Green

The committee discussed application 25/00661/FUL for 9 The Green and voted 8/0 to approve the application in accordance with the report's recommendation.

Land Adjacent to 309 Halfway Street

Application 25/01004/FUL for land adjacent to 309 Halfway Street was discussed, and the committee voted 9/0 to approve the application as recommended in the report and addendum.

99 Bexley High Street

Councillor Kurtis Christoforides withdrew from the meeting for application 25/01227/FUL for 99 Bexley High Street, and Councillor Rags Sandhu took the chair. The committee voted 7/0 to approve the application as recommended in the report and addendum.

Planning Applications for Development

The committee reviewed several planning applications, focusing on the impact on the character of the area, neighbouring residential amenities, and highway considerations.

41 Burnt Oak Lane

The committee approved application 23/03407/FUL for the retention of a single-storey rear extension with a basement at 41 Burnt Oak Lane. The key issues were the extension's impact on the character of the property and surrounding area, and the amenities of neighbouring properties. The extension's dimensions are:

Three objections were received, citing concerns such as the roof height, loss of outlook, surface water run-off, groundwater problems, and workmanship. The Local Lead Flood Authority (LLFA) and Environmental Health raised no objections. The committee found that the extension was a proportionate addition that did not harm the area's character or neighbouring amenities. A Desktop Basement Impact Assessment concluded there would be no risks to slope stability or significant increase in groundwater flooding.

29 Ellison Road

The committee approved application 24/02944/FUL for a change of use from a residential dwelling to a House of Multiple Occupation (HMO) for up to six people at 29 Ellison Road. The key issues were the acceptability of the change of use, its impact on neighbouring dwellings, and the highway network. The Highway Authority initially raised no objections subject to conditions, and the Housing Standards (HMO Licensing Team) confirmed the bedrooms and kitchen complied with HMO standards. Objections were received from neighbouring addresses and the Bexley Civic Society, citing concerns about anti-social behaviour, traffic, parking, waste, and overdevelopment.

The committee found that the proposal would provide residential accommodation without significant impact and aligned with the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), the London Plan, and the Bexley Local Plan. The committee noted that there are 3 known HMOs and one registered provider within 300m of the application site, and one other known HMO along Ellison Road. The committee considered that the addition of an HMO in this area would not result in an over concentration of HMOs in the area.

The committee imposed conditions relating to parking, refuse storage, and cycle storage. The Met Police's Secured by Design Officer requested a condition relating to 'Secured by Design' to improve community safety and crime prevention, which was also approved.

Land Adjacent To 1-18 Evans Court, Sherman Close, Crayford

The committee approved application 25/00748/FUL, submitted under Section 73 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, to vary condition 2 of planning permission ref. 21/01708/FUL for land adjacent to 1-18 Evans Court. The application sought amendments to an approved residential scheme comprising eight units, including alterations to building footprints, internal layouts, fenestration, dormers, and fire escape arrangements. The Highway Authority raised no objection, subject to conditions restricting parking permit eligibility, requiring a car park management plan, and securing cycle and refuse storage arrangements. Objections were received from 14 neighbouring addresses, raising issues such as land ownership, structural concerns, loss of privacy, overdevelopment, and parking.

The committee found that the amendments were proportionate, did not materially alter the external scale or massing of the buildings, and preserved the established character of the development. The scheme continues to provide a high standard of accommodation, with all units meeting or exceeding relevant space standards.

Premier Inn, 51 Albion Road

The committee approved application 25/00774/FUL for alterations to the Premier Inn at 51 Albion Road, to provide additional hotel bedrooms and a reconfigured hotel restaurant. The key issues were the acceptability of the alterations, the impact on neighbouring dwellings, and the highway network. The Highway Authority raised no objections subject to conditions. Objections were received from four neighbouring addresses, citing concerns about increased noise, traffic, parking, privacy, and the loss of the restaurant.

The committee found that the proposal would provide additional hotel accommodation within an existing hotel without significant impact and aligned with the NPPF, the London Plan, and the Bexley Local Plan. The proposal would result in the net provision of 7 hotel bedrooms extending the existing hotel provision on the site taking the total hotel bedrooms from 92 to 99, and would result in the reduction of the restaurant offer on site to 60 covers which would be available to guests of the hotel only.

79 Church Road

The committee approved application 25/00940/FUL for the erection of a detached single-storey outbuilding in the rear garden of 79 Church Road to provide annexe accommodation. The key issues were the impact on the character and appearance of the local area, neighbouring occupier amenity, and trees. Objections were received from four neighbouring addresses, citing concerns about potential use as an HMO¹, overcrowding, noise, harm to a mature tree, and loss of privacy.

The committee found that the proposed works would not have a detrimental impact on the character and appearance of the area and would not be harmful to the occupiers of the adjoining neighbouring properties. The proposed outbuilding would be 2.5m tall, 7m deep and 5.67m wide, and would be 8m set forward from the rear boundary line of the 79 Church Road.

120 Northumberland Avenue

The committee approved application 25/01127/FUL for a change of use from a dwellinghouse to a House of Multiple Occupation (HMO) at 120 Northumberland Avenue. The key issues were the impact on the character of the area, neighbouring residential amenities, the quality of accommodation, and parking. Objections were received from neighbours and ward councillors, citing concerns about parking, loss of a family home, overdevelopment, antisocial behaviour, and lack of infrastructure.

The committee found that the development constituted a modest residential intensification that would not adversely impact the area, neighbouring amenity, or result in an overconcentration of HMOs. The internal layout complied with space standards, and highways impacts were considered acceptable.

47 Swanbridge Road

The committee approved application 25/01206/FUL for the erection of a part one/part two-storey side and rear extension at 47 Swanbridge Road, following the demolition of an existing side extension and the formation of hard standing to the front of the property. The key issues were the impact on the character and appearance of the property, street scene, and surrounding area, the amenities of neighbouring residential properties, and highways. Objections were received citing concerns about the development being excessive and intrusive, visually intrusive, overdevelopment, out of character, loss of light, overshadowing, and a detraction from the character of the terrace.

The committee found that the proposed development was acceptable in design and amenity terms and compliant with relevant planning policy.