The latest planning list is available to download here.
October was a relatively quiet month, with fewer applications submitted than usual. Even so, several decisions were issued, some encouraging and others raising concern about the council’s ability to uphold good design standards.
Withdrawals: The proposals at 4 Bury Road were withdrawn.
Refusals: Positively, the larger scheme at 31A The Avenue was refused, along with several smaller applications such as those at 1 Avalon and 4 Chester Road.
Approvals: Several applications were approved, including those at 65 Compton Avenue, the land to the rear of 22 Balcombe Road, and 1 Links Road. Unfortunately, the council also approved the major proposals at 7 Oratory Gardens, which is disappointing given the scale and design concerns previously raised.
Overall, while incremental development across the area continues, this month’s decisions suggest a mixed approach from the council. Some decisions show encouraging scrutiny, while others fall short when it comes to assessing larger and more visually dominant schemes.
BPCCRA will continue to review all new applications carefully to ensure that planning decisions across the ward support design quality, coherence, and the preservation of local character.
