The Planning Committee (Smaller Applications) of Southwark Council met on Wednesday 24 April 2024 to discuss three planning applications. These included a proposal for a new dwelling at 70 Croxted Road, flood alleviation and landscaping works at Peckham Rye Park and Common, and the temporary installation of sculptures at Dulwich Picture Gallery.

70 Croxted Road, London SE21 8NP

The committee was scheduled to consider a full planning application for the demolition of an existing detached side garage and the construction of a two-storey detached dwellinghouse with a basement at 70 Croxted Road, London SE21 8NP. The report pack indicated that the application had been called into the committee due to a high number of neighbour objections. The proposed development included a basement and two storeys, with private amenity space to the rear and a parking space to the front. Officers noted that while there were numerous objections concerning design, neighbouring amenity, flooding, ecology, and inaccuracies in the submission, they were satisfied that the proposed development would be compliant with the development plan and would not result in harm to the surrounding character of the area or the amenity of surrounding occupiers. The development was also noted to provide a 35% financial contribution towards affordable housing.

The report pack detailed the site's location and description, noting it was between numbers 70 and 68 Croxted Road and subject to several planning policy designations, including being within the Dulwich Area Vision Boundary, a Critical Drainage Area, and adjacent to a Conservation Area. The proposal involved the demolition of an existing garage and the construction of a two-storey dwelling with a basement, including refuse and cycle storage. The report outlined the internal minimum space standards for the proposed dwelling, confirming it would provide generously proportioned spaces and a substantial private outdoor amenity area. It also detailed considerations for outlook, privacy, and internal daylight and sunlight, as well as fire safety regulations in line with Policy D12(A) of the London Plan 2021.

The assessment of the design, layout, and heritage assets noted the site's location within the Dulwich Village Conservation Area and its proximity to Grade II listed buildings. The proposed building was described as a simple design, moderately set back from the general building line and lower in height than its period neighbours, with a modest width that retained reasonable space to either side. The report also addressed landscaping and trees, with conditions recommended to ensure mitigation for the loss of trees and the planting of new ones. The impact on the amenity of adjoining occupiers was assessed, with no windows proposed in the side elevations of the new dwelling to preserve privacy. The report also covered transport and highways, refuse storage, energy and sustainability, ecology and biodiversity, air quality, ground conditions, and water resources and flood risk. Planning obligations, including a Section 106 undertaking for an affordable housing contribution, and Mayoral and borough community infrastructure levy (CIL) were also detailed. The report summarised extensive consultation responses from members of the public, internal and divisional consultees, and external consultees, noting 55 letters of objection and no letters of support. The officer's recommendation was to grant planning permission subject to a Section 106 Legal Agreement.

Peckham Rye Park and Common, Southwark SE15 3UA

The committee was scheduled to consider a full planning application for flood risk, landscaping, environmental, and public access improvements at Peckham Rye Park and Common, SE15 3UA. The proposal included the construction of two earthworks bunds along the northern and western boundaries of the common and park, along with associated underground drainage chambers. The aim of the scheme was to alleviate flood risk by collecting surface water and discharging it, while simultaneously providing improvements to landscaping and biodiversity. The report indicated that this proposal was a re-submission of a previously granted planning application that had expired.

The site is designated as Metropolitan Open Land (MOL), a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC), and falls within a Green Chain Park and an Air Quality Management Area. The southern part of Peckham Rye Park is a Grade II listed registered Park and Garden, and the area is within the Dulwich Village Conservation Area. The proposal involved the creation of southern and northern bunds for storage, the installation of underground drainage chambers, and flow control devices. It also included landscaping and biodiversity works, such as enhancing green space, improving park connections, and providing education boards about the 'Lost River Peck'.

The report detailed consultation responses from members of the public, including two objections raising concerns about the impact on the park's openness, the practical use of bunded areas, harm to character and appearance, and tree removal. Neutral comments raised queries about construction length, noise, and parking impacts. The report also summarised responses from internal and divisional consultees, including the Archaeologist, Environmental Protection Team, Ecologist, Urban Forester, and Parks department. The officer's recommendation was to grant planning permission, subject to conditions.

Dulwich Picture Gallery, Gallery Road, London SE21 7AD

The committee was scheduled to consider a planning application for temporary permission for the installation of six sculptures within the gardens of Dulwich Picture Gallery, SE21 7AD, from April 2024 to October 2026. The proposal involved the installation of sculptures requiring concrete slabs to be buried below ground level. The site is designated as Metropolitan Open Land (MOL) and is within the Dulwich Village Conservation Area, with the Dulwich Picture Gallery itself being a Grade II* listed building.

The report indicated that the installation of the sculptures would require a bespoke arboriculture condition to protect tree root areas and local ecology. A further condition was recommended to restrict the temporary duration of the display and ensure the land is made good afterwards. The report summarised the details of the proposed sculptures, including 'To Find A Way Home' by Li Li Ren and 'Material (SG IV)' by Yinka Shonibare. It also detailed the consultation responses, including one objection that raised concerns about expansion plans, staff marginalisation, and structural problems, to which the case officer responded that these were not material planning considerations for this application. The report confirmed that the proposal was not anticipated to have a harmful impact on heritage assets, neighbouring amenity, transport infrastructure, trees, or local ecology, subject to planning conditions. The officer's recommendation was to grant planning permission, subject to conditions.