The Planning Committee B of Lewisham Council met to consider a number of planning applications. These included applications for developments at Lewisham High Street, Catford Police Station, Chilthorne Close, Breakspears Road, Dartmouth Road, Gillian Street and Perry Hill.

363-365 Lewisham High Street

The committee was scheduled to discuss an application for 363-365 Lewisham High Street SE13 6NZ.

Catford Police Station

The committee was scheduled to discuss an application concerning Catford Police Station, SE6 2RP.

14 Chilthorne Close

The committee was scheduled to discuss an application concerning 14 Chilthorne Close SE6 4YW.

Adoption of minutes from previous meeting

The report pack included the minutes from the meeting held on 18 September 2025. Councillor John Muldoon declared an interest in item 3, concerning Robins Court, Chinbrook Road, SE12 9QW, and stated that he would recuse himself during the discussion of the application.

The minutes recorded that the committee:

• heard from a Principal Planning Officer who recommended that permission be granted for the removal of the existing roof and construction of an additional storey and a new roof at Robins Court, Chinbrook Road SE12, to form 24 self-contained duplex flats, together with car parking, refuse and cycle storage and associated landscaping.
• noted that the application had been deferred at a previous meeting on 11 March 2025, pending a full structural survey.
• heard that an updated structural survey and fire statement had been submitted.
• heard that permission would be subject to a condition requiring the submission and approval of a construction logistics plan, and that neighbours would be consulted on submission of the documents.
• heard that the applicant's representatives advised that a structural survey had been completed, and that construction methods had been designed so residents could remain in their homes.
• heard from two residents of Robins Court who objected to the application, stating that the structural survey was incomplete and that the extension could increase the building's vertical load, risking structural safety.
• heard from Councillor Mark Jackson, Member for Grove Park ward, who stated that the new submission was largely unchanged from the earlier feasibility study and lacked robust new evidence, and that there were significant worries about the impact of construction on residents.
• were asked to grant planning permission for the development, subject to conditions and an additional informative for the applicant to liaise with the residents prior to submission of the Construction Management plan.

The minutes also recorded that the committee:

• heard from a Senior Planning Officer who recommended that planning permission be granted for demolition of two existing outbuildings and construction of a single storey detached dwelling at land to the rear of 2 Breakspears Road SE4, together with cycle/refuse storage and amenity area.
• heard that legal rights of access and land ownership were not material planning considerations[^2]. [^2]: Material planning considerations are matters that should be taken into account when making a planning decision. These can include things like the size, layout and appearance of a proposed development, its impact on the surrounding area, and any representations made by members of the public.
• heard from the applicant who stated that there was walk-in access to the property via a single gate, and that vehicular access was not needed.
• heard from two residents of Breakspears Mews, who objected to the application, stating that the applicant had no legal access along the proposed access route, and that the committee report incorrectly stated that the only current access to the proposed site was on the residential part Breakspears Mews.
• were asked to grant planning permission for the demolition of two existing outbuildings and construction of a single storey detached dwelling, together with cycle/refuse storage and amenity area.

The minutes also recorded that the committee:

• heard from a Principal Planning Officer who recommended that planning permission be granted for the construction of 3, two storey houses in the rear garden of 113 Dartmouth Road SE23.
• heard that the bedrooms all met the size standards for the type of bedrooms proposed, that the width of the access was sufficient to walk down to the back garden of the site and to pull a normal bin through, and that disabled access would be feasible for the houses 1 and 2 as served by ramps.
• heard from the applicant's agent, who stated that the Dartmouth Road project had evolved over time, reducing from four to three dwellings, with feedback from pre-applications and public consultation incorporated.
• heard from a Chartered Planning Consultant who was commissioned by local residents to speak in objection, who stated that the 29 objections to the application were about access and safety, and that the alleyway was narrow and unsuitable for mobility-impaired users.
• were asked to grant planning permission for the construction of 3, two storey houses in the rear garden of 113 Dartmouth Road SE23 subject to conditions.