A proposed two-storey, 20-flat extension of Elmers Lodge in Beckenham has been rejected by Bromley Council following a wave of local opposition.
The plans for Elmers Lodge – which is situated on Croydon Road – would have seen the current three-storey building become five-stories, with the creation of 20 new flats (6 studios, 12 one-bedroom flats and 2 two-bedroom flats). The proposals did not include access to on-site parking as part of the development.
Bromley Council refused planning permission on the grounds that the proposals “fail to address the parking needs of the proposed development, along with insufficient information provided to establish that the proposal would not result in an unacceptable increase in on-street parking demand or parking inconvenient to existing residents and road-users, as well as its impact on public transport, delivery and servicing, and impact of the proposed works during construction.”
It also stated that the height and design of the new flats would have “a detrimental impact on the appearance of the host building and in the context of the street scene” and thus the external appearance was deemed “unacceptable”. Additionally, it “has not been demonstrated that habitable rooms within the proposed units would have adequate levels of natural light”.
The developer can appeal to the Planning Inspectorate within six months.
More than 75 local residents had submitted objections to the plans and in excess of 200 signed an online petition opposing the move, with many citing concerns over the scale of the development as well as increased traffic and disruption.
Following the decision, Denise, a resident of Elmers Lodge, told News in Beckenham: “We’re not free yet. Although we are immensely relieved that Bromley refused planning at this point, we live under the threat of appeal. He [the developer] could even reapply in 12 months, for free. Since this change in development law any lease-only flat owners are at risk of similar plans. We are thankful that our councillors and MP were so helpful and responsive.”
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