The inquiry, set to last five days, will examine planning appeals by Churchfields Road BR3 Ltd and Mr Luke Osborne concerning the London Electricity Board depot on Churchfields Road.
The first appeal challenges the enforcement notice regarding the “unauthorised material change of use” from an electricity depot to a combined use of a scaffolding equipment storage yard and the existing electricity depot.
The site has also reportedly seen the installation of two single-storey cabins and CCTV/lighting without the required planning permission.
The second appeal disputes the refusal to grant planning permission for the temporary, five-year change of use of the site to the combined functions of a scaffolding equipment storage yard and the existing electricity depot.
This appeal also includes the retrospective installation of single-storey cabins and CCTV/lighting.
The planning inquiry will take place on August 19, 20, 21, 27, and 28 at 10am in the committee rooms at the Civic Centre on Westmoreland Road.
It comes after more than 250 people objected to the retrospective bid to operate a scaffolding business in the former electricity depot in April 2024.
The proposal was made to Bromley Council from Masons Scaffolding to provide a scaffolding equipment storage and distribution yard in Churchfields Road, Beckenham, in an application form submitted in April 2024.
Two purposes were proposed: to use the site for scaffolding storage and distribution, and to keep the existing electricity undertaker’s depot.
The site is located behind the Churchfield reuse and recycling centre, a 30mph zone, between Churchfield Primary and Nursery School and Churchfield Recreation Playground.
Objections included concerns about increased traffic congestion, greater safety risks for pedestrians – particularly children – and higher noise pollution.
Roi Perez, a parent who lives just minutes away from the nearby school, opposed the plans because he frequently uses the playpark next to the depot with his toddler.
He told the News Shopper: “The road and entrance to the site is heavily congested and puts children at risk.
“We’re very aware of the amount of traffic going in and out of the site area.
“During term time, there is an unbelievable amount of traffic there – buses go onto the kerb and huge bin lorries and heavy machinery go in and out of the site every day,” he claimed.
“Given the potential consequences for our community, we strongly urge that this matter be thoroughly reviewed, and that the application be rejected to preserve the wellbeing and safety of our neighbourhood.”
An inspector appointed by the Secretary of State will attend to decide the appeals.
The inspector’s decision will be published on the planning portal website within seven weeks of the inquiry.
Members of the public and interested parties are invited to attend the inquiry and share their views on the development, subject to the inspector’s discretion.
Luke Osborne, of Urban & Provincial/Masons Scaffolding, previously told the News Shopper that the objections related to the household recycling site, and the issue this creates for people in the area.
He explained: “We have read the vast majority of the objections and note that these comments, including Mr Perez’s, mainly relate to the ongoing use of the household recycling site and the issues this creates for local people.
“Operation of the scaffolding yard hasn’t commenced, and our application has nothing to do with the existing users of the adjoining sites.
“A transport statement and noise impact assessment accompany the planning submission, and we urge anyone interested in the application to read these carefully.”
The inquiry will be a hybrid event, allowing for either in-person or online attendance.
Anyone wishing to attend is asked to register their attendance by emailing planningappeals@bromley.gov.uk or by calling 02084643737 or 0208 461 7731.
The London Borough of Bromley asks those who are disabled or know someone who is disabled and wishes to attend the inquiry to contact the council in advance.
This will allow for proper arrangements to be made, such as parking and access.
The appeal documents can be viewed online on the Bromley Council website using the references 23/00705/OPDEV for the planning enforcement appeal and 24/00815/FULL2 for the planning appeal.
The London Borough of Bromley planning notice states: “Members of the public and interested parties may attend the inquiry and at the inspector’s discretion give their views on the development.
“If you are disabled or anyone you know who wishes to attend the inquiry is disabled, please contact the council to advise so that proper arrangements can be made such as parking, access, etc.”
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