On 20 July we attended Sutton Council’s Planning Committee to give our objections regarding the changes to the approved outline planning application. (Read our speech)
These changes were approved unanimously. We were unimpressed with our local ward councillors, as one sent their apologies and the other didn’t ask any questions before approving the application.
We were told that most of our questions related to the reserved matters application. It was suggested that rather than having to apply to talk at the committee again, that our questions had been recorded.
We stated how confusing the application has been, as the council allowed Barratt Homes to also submit two reserved matters applications before these changes had been approved. We also mentioned that the planning portal is not user friendly and that residents should not be expected to go through hundreds of documents online, which automatically puts people off from commenting.
The Chair of the committee confirmed that the reserved matters application would be going out for consultation again, for a hearing at committee in September.
We requested that a liaison group is set up between Barratt Homes, residents and ward councillors, providing a forum to discuss any concerns about the work onsite and more recently noise happening out of hours. We were pleased that the Chair of the committee asked for this to be part of the conditions for approving the application.
As well as representation from the NDG, two residents also asked to speak about concerns of reduced daylight to the victorian houses on London Road with the proposed assisted living block and issues with cracks in the Grade II Listed cottages on The Green from demolition work and constant vibrations.
Hackbridge & Beddington Corner Neighbourhood Development Group 