The Planning Committee A meeting on 12 March 2026 considered three planning applications, ultimately granting permission for a new artificial grass pitch at Whitefoot Lane Playing Field and an extension to a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) at 31A Crescent Way. The committee also approved a change of use for a property at 42 St John's Vale to become a children's home.

Whitefoot Lane Playing Field, Whitefoot Lane BR1 - DC/25/142280

Permission was granted for the creation of a 97m x 61m 3G Artificial Grass Pitch (AGP) at Whitefoot Lane Playing Field. The development includes perimeter fencing, hardstanding, 15-metre high floodlights, a storage container, new footpaths, a topsoil bund, and a 3.25-metre high acoustic barrier. The application was recommended for approval subject to planning conditions.

Concerns were raised by objectors regarding residential amenity, particularly the impact of light overspill and pollution, overbearing appearance, increased noise, and potential for anti-social behaviour. There were also objections concerning the design, scale, and character of the development, its impact on the playing fields, insufficient parking, insufficient cycle parking, and the need for a Travel Plan. Ecological concerns included impacts on wildlife and biodiversity, lack of detail on Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) measures, impact on ancient woodlands, ponds, and local ecosystems, and environmental and health impacts of rubber crumb infill. Drainage and flood risk were also raised, as were questions about the need for the facility, alternative options, and the loss of natural green space. Issues with the consultation process during the holiday period were also noted.

Supporters highlighted the increase in capacity for football in the south of the borough, encouraging healthy activity and sports for local people, and improving health benefits in an area of multiple deprivation.

Internal consultees raised no objections subject to conditions. The Council's Ecology team initially had concerns about microplastic pollution from rubber crumb infill but raised no objection after clarifications and subject to conditions. The Lead Local Flood Authority also raised no objection after further information was provided. Sport England raised no objection, subject to conditions ensuring the pitch meets FIFA Quality standards, is registered with the FA, and has a community use agreement and management plan. The Greater London Archaeological Advisory Service raised no objection subject to a condition.

The officer's report concluded that the proposal accords with national and local policy, retains the land in active recreational use, and delivers a qualitative enhancement to local sports provision, meeting an identified borough need. The development would support the Lewisham Physical Activity Strategy and Action Plan. The principle of development was considered acceptable, subject to detailed assessment of design, impact on neighbours, biodiversity, drainage, transport, and management.

The decision to grant permission was made subject to numerous conditions, including those relating to construction environmental management, sustainable drainage, infill containment and pitch management, landscaping, hours of operation, noise management, acoustic barriers, lighting management, flood lighting lux levels, certification of the pitch, community use agreements, management and maintenance schemes, visitor cycle parking, and a written scheme of investigation for archaeological purposes.

42 St John's Vale, London, SE8 4EN - DC/25/141053

Permission was granted for a change of use from Use Class C3 (dwellinghouse) to Use Class C2 (residential institution – Children's Home) at 42 St John's Vale. The proposal is for a children's home accommodating a maximum of four children, with 24-hour staffing. No external or internal structural alterations are proposed.

Objections were received from residents, amenity societies, and the ward councillor, primarily concerning the principle of development, the loss of family housing, the suitability of the property for a children's home due to its size, limited outdoor space, and internal layout, and concerns about disabled access. Objections also raised issues regarding increased parking stress, vehicle movements, waste management, increased noise and disturbance, potential for future incidents, and a lack of operational information. Neutral comments were raised regarding the operator's identity, Ofsted registration, consultation processes, tenant displacement, and the C2a designation.

The Council's Children and Young People – Care Resources department supported the proposal in principle, highlighting an identified sufficiency gap for residential care and the benefits of reducing reliance on out-of-borough placements.

The officer's report concluded that the proposal would meet an identified need for supported and specialised accommodation in accordance with Lewisham Local Plan (LePP) Policy HO6. While acknowledging the loss of a family-sized dwelling as a harm, this was weighed against the significant public benefit of providing a children's home to meet local need. The report found no harmful impacts on neighbouring amenity, transport, servicing, heritage, or local character.

The decision to grant permission was made subject to conditions restricting the use to a children's home only and capping the maximum number of children to four.

31A Crescent Way, London, SE4 1QL - DC/25/142280

Permission was granted for the construction of a part single-storey and part two-storey rear extension at 31A Crescent Way. The property is currently used as a Use Class C4 small HMO for up to six occupants. The proposed extension includes a single-storey element of approximately 3m in depth and a two-storey element extending approximately 1.5m from the rear elevation. The proposal also includes a new bin enclosure in the front garden and a bike storage unit in the rear garden.

Objections were received from residents and ward councillors, raising concerns about the lack of dimensions for the bike storage and bin enclosure (which were later provided), the lawfulness of the C4 HMO use, conflict with local plan policies regarding heritage and the conservation area, loss of garden space, refuse management, increased pressure on parking, increased enclosure, impact on privacy and overlooking, impact on daylight/sunlight, and increased noise and disturbance. Objections also raised concerns about the failure to provide a Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) calculation, procedural inaccuracies in the submitted statements, and the potential for an HMO enclave.

The officer's report clarified that the property has a lawful C4 HMO use, and the proposal does not involve a change of use or an increase in the number of residents beyond the established lawful use. Therefore, policies relating to the loss of family housing and the intensification of HMO use were deemed not material to this application. Concerns about historical anti-social behaviour, internal layout, room sizes, and licensing standards were also addressed as non-material planning considerations.

The report concluded that the proposed extension is of a scale and form consistent with previous assessments and would not harm the host building or the wider Brockley Conservation Area. It was also found that the proposal would not result in unacceptable impacts on neighbouring amenity, transport, or the natural environment.

The decision to grant permission was made subject to conditions, including a time limit for commencement, adherence to approved plans, and standard conditions.

The meeting also included the confirmation of the minutes from the previous Planning Committee A meeting held on 20 January 2026. No declarations of interest were made by the committee members.