Update - 24 December 2017
The resubmitted planning application ref. No. DC/17/103830, for the construction of a single storey building on land at Ambleside, Bromley BR1 4BY (rear of 13 Calmont Road BR1) to provide a children’s crèche has been refused. The decision is available.

The proposed development of the back garden of a house in perimeter block typology is still unacceptable in principle and harmful to the character and appearance of the local area.

By reason of the insufficient information provided within the submitted transport plan, the lack of any information regarding potential noise impacts, together with the disparities between the submitted reports regarding the use of the building during weekends, it is still not possible for the planning service to comprehensively assess the impact of the proposal on neighbouring amenity.

Update - 3 November 2017

The application, ref. No. DC/17/102096, for the construction of a single storey building on land at Ambleside (at the rear of 13 Calmont Road, Bromley) to provide a children’s crèche was refused on 26 September 2017. However, a new planning application ref. No. DC/17/103830, was made on 29 September 2017 for the same venture.

As can be seen from the CGI visual, its appearance is unchanged. The planning design and access statement continues to reassure us that:

There are no windows on the side elevations that face onto neighbouring windows as to ensure that privacy levels are respected.

and:

The size of the building has been reduced in comparison to the recently refused scheme for a new dwelling ref. 16/098248.

However, as compared with the earlier application for a children’s crèche:

The proposal is different from the previous submission in that the opening hours requested are now as follows –

Monday to Friday – 8 a.m. to 3.30 p.m.
Not at all on Saturdays, Sundays or bank holidays.

Update - 29 September 2017
The application, ref. No. DC/17/102096, for the construction of a single storey building on land at Ambleside (rear of 13 Calmont Road BR1) to provide a children’s crèche has been refused. The decision is available.

The proposed development of the back garden of a house in perimeter block typology is unacceptable in principle and harmful to the character and appearance of the local area, contrary to the NPPF [National Planning Policy Framework], Spatial Policy 5 Areas of Stability and Managed Change, Policy 15: High Quality Design for Lewisham in the Core Strategy (2011) and DM [Development Management] Policy 30 Urban design and local character, and, particularly, DM Policy 33 Development on infill sites, backland sites, back gardens and amenity areas of the Development Management Local Plan (2014).

By reason of the lack of information provided regarding noise, transport plan, proposed number of children using the crèche, opening times of the building and type of activities when used as a community space, it is not possible for the planning service to comprehensively assess the impact of the proposal on neighbouring amenity in accordance with requirements set out in Policy 15 High quality design for Lewisham of the Core Strategy (June 2011) and DM Policy 26 Noise and Vibration, DM Policy 30 Urban design and local character, DM Policy 41 Innovative community facility provision and DM Policy 42 Nurseries and childcare of the Development Management Local Plan (November 2014).

This is also the first time we have been notified about any new search results on our saved searches or tracked applications by Lewisham Council since March, and only the second since the beginning of last year.

Update - 16 August 2017
The appeal on the application, reference No. DC/16/098248, for the construction of a two bedroom, single storey dwelling house on land to the rear of 13 Calmont Road fronting Ambleside, together with the provision of a one-car parking space with access on to Ambleside, was refused on 27 March 2017. A corrected version of the Appeal Decision dated 27 April 2017 is available.

We have asked Lewisham Council on various occasions to notify us via e-mail about new search results for planning applications, but they always fail to do so. Thus this has only just come to light.

Children’s crèche at Ambleside (rear of 13 Calmont Road) - 12 August 2017
A new application, ref. No. DC/17/102096, has been made for the construction of a single storey building on land at Ambleside, Bromley BR1 4BY (rear of 13 Calmont Road BR1), to provide a children’s crèche. The following are available:
  • Application form
  • Transport statement
  • Existing site plan
  • Planning, design
  • Proposed site plan
  • Proposed elevations
  • Proposed roof plan
  • Proposed ground floor plan
  • Proposed CGI visual
It does seem rather prominent to anybody in Ambleside – see the CGI visual. This is in spite of the Planning Design and Access Statement saying:

There are no windows on the side elevations that face onto neighbouring windows as to ensure that privacy levels are respected.

We are also told:

The size of the building has been reduced in comparison to the recently refused scheme for a new dwelling ref. 16/098248.

We have asked Lewisham Council on various occasions to notify us via e-mail about new search results for planning applications, but they always fail to do so. Maybe this makes life easier for them, as our residents do not get to hear about planning applications until it is too late to do anything. Thankfully, one of the neighbours of the proposed development spotted this one and kindly let us know.

Update - 28 March 2017
An application, reference No. DC/16/098248, was made on 12 September 2016 for the construction of a two bedroom, single storey dwelling house on land to the rear of 13 Calmont Road fronting Ambleside, together with the provision of a one-car parking space with access on to Ambleside. This was refused on 15 December 2016.

The appeal with a start date of 10 January 2017 has also been refused. The Appeal Decision dated 27 March 2017 is attached.

The proposal would conflict with the Council’s development plan policies to always seek to secure high quality design and to take account of the different roles and character of different areas. There is no permission to subdivide the back garden to No 13, where the dwelling proposed would be harmfully out of keeping with the prevailing residential character of the area.

Update - 21 February 2017
The planning application, reference DC/15/92547, for the construction of a two-bedroom, single-storey dwelling house at the rear of 13 Calmont Road was refused in October 2015. On the other hand, the planning application, reference DC/15/92970, for the construction of a part one / part two storey extension to the side of 13 Calmont Road was granted.

A new application. reference DC/16/098248, was made on 12 September 2016 for the construction of a two bedroom, single storey dwelling house on land to the rear of 13 Calmont Road fronting Ambleside, together with the provision of a one-car parking space with access on to Ambleside. This was again refused for similar reasons on 15 December 2016. The Decision is available.

An appeal has been received with a start date of 10 January 2017. Interested party comments were due by 14 February 2017.

Update - 25 October 2015
The planning application, reference DC/15/92547, for the construction of a two-bedroom, single-storey dwelling house at the rear of 13 Calmont Road has been refused. See the decision.

The proposed development, involving the back garden of a traditional terrace is considered unacceptable in principle owing to the harmful effect to the urban perimeter block typology in which the site is located. The proposal is considered an incongruous form of development, unacceptable in principle and harmful to the character and appearance of the wider locality.

The proposed development, by reason of the limited outlook provided to the living area and rear bedroom and overlooking of these rooms and the rear garden from neighbouring properties, would also result in an unacceptable impact on the amenity of future occupiers.

On the other hand, the 
planning application, reference DC/15/92970, for the construction of a part one / part two storey extension to the side of 13 Calmont Road has been granted. See the decision.

Update - 31 August 2015
The following documents are also available in connection with the planning application, reference DC/15/92547, for the construction of a two-bedroom, single-storey dwelling house at the rear of 13 Calmont Road:
Update - 18 August 2015
The following document is also available in connection with the planning application, reference DC/15/92547, for the construction of a two-bedroom, single-storey dwelling house at the rear of 13 Calmont Road:
A further application, reference DC/15/92970, has also been made for the construction of a part one / part two storey extension to the side of 13 Calmont Road.

Update - 6 July 2015
A further planning application, reference DC/15/92547, for the construction of a two-bedroom, single-storey dwelling house at the rear of 13 Calmont Road, together with associated boundary treatment and the provision of 1 car parking space with access on to Ambleside, has been made. The following documents are available:
Update - 16 April 2015
The application for the construction of a two-bedroom, single-storey dwelling house at the rear of 13 Calmont Road, Bromley, has been refused. See the Decision.

The development of back gardens in this way would not be acceptable and is contrary to policy on infill sites, backland sites, back gardens and amenity areas of the Development Management Local Plan (2014).

The design of the proposed dwelling is of poor quality and would be in direct contrast to
the established pattern of development, appearing as a highly incongruous addition to the streetscene and contrary to policy on high quality design for Lewisham of the Core Strategy (2011); contrary to policy on urban design and local character; policy on housing design, layout and space standards; and policy on infill sites, backland sites, back gardens and amenity areas of the Development management local Plan (2014); and contrary to the London Plan (2015).

13 Calmont Road, Bromley - 12 March 2015
A planning application, reference DC/14/90379, has been made to Lewisham Council relating to the construction of a two-bedroom, single-storey dwelling house at the rear of 13 Calmont Road, Bromley, together with associated boundary treatment and the provision of 1 car parking space with access on to Ambleside. The following documents are available:
The application site is located on the north-east side of Calmont road at the junction with Ambleside. The main features of the proposed development are these:
  • The house would be low key: low-profile and plainly detailed;
  • The roof would be flat; and
  • The external walls would be finished in cream-painted render.
  • The windows and doors would be white finish UPVC windows.