Development Intent
Planning AtlasLewishamSydenhamApplication
Planning Application

DC/25/141252

357-359 SYDENHAM ROAD, LONDON, SE26 5SL

Full / Other PlanningSydenham wardPublic Transport Accessibility Level - 3: PTAL 3
Submission
27 Aug 2025
Target
10 Nov 2025
Decision
26 Jan 2026
Outcome
Refused
Delegated decisionRefused
26 Jan 2026
Decided by Amanda Ghani under delegated powers
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Scheme description

Alterations and conversion of 357-359 Sydenham Road SE26, change of use of vacant ground floor unit to a self-contained flat (Use Class C3), construction of extensions to the front and 2 additional storeys at roof level with terrace areas to provide 7 self-contained flats, together with the provision of bin and cycle storage and all associated works at 357-359 Sydenham Road SE26. (Amended description)

Why it was refused
Reason 1

The quality of accommodation by reason of bedroom 1 in Flat 1 having a poor outlook due to being single aspect and the close proximity of the flank wall of the adjoining building and both private outdoor spaces for this flat would be entirely overlooked by upper flats on site. It has also not been demonstrated that all habitable rooms of Flat 1 would receive adequate levels of daylight resulting in substandard living conditions for this unit, contrary to Paragraph 135 of the NPPF (2024), Policies D3 and D6 of the London Plan (2021), Policies QD8 and QD2 of the Lewisham Local Plan (2025) and the London Plan Housing SPG (2026).

Reason 2

The proposed development, by virtue of the excessive scale and mass and siting, would lead to unacceptable harm to the living condtions of neighbouring occupants in terms of significant overlooking, loss of privacy and outlook, and significant sense of overbearing enclosure to the property at No. 4 Kirtley Road, contrary to Paragraph 135 of the National Planning Framework (2024), Policy D3 of the London Plan (2021) and Policy QD9 of the Lewisham Local Plan (2025) and the provisions of the Council's Small Sites SPD (2021)

Reason 3

The proposed development, by reason of underprovision of cycle storage at No.359 Sydenham Road, would not promote sustainable modes of transport over the private motor vehicle, contrary to Chapter 9 of the NPPF (2024), Policy T5 of the London Plan (2021)

Reason 4

The proposed development, by reason of contradictory statements, plans and drawings, lack of a robust analysis of local context, does not enable officers to make a proper and accurate asssessment of the development proposal contrary to Paragraphs 131 and 135 of the National Planning Policy Framework (2024); Policies D3 and D4 of the London Plan (2021); Policy QD1 of the Lewisham Local Plan (2025) and the provisions of the Council's Small Sites SPD (2021)

Reason 5

Due to the under provision and poorly sited bin storage at Nos.357 and 359 Sydenham Road the proposal would result in bins being stored on the adjacent highway which would prejudice the safe and uninterrupted flow of pedestrains using this section of Sydenham Road contrary to Policy D6 of the London Plan (2021) and Policy SD13 of the Lewisham Local Plan (2025)

Reason 6

The failure to enter into a legal agreement to secure affordable housing provision, a car free development and off-site play space provision would fail to foster mixed, sustainable communities in meeting the housing needs of the Borough and add to parking stress within the local highway network which would conflict with Policies H01, H03, TR4, QD8 and CI3 of the Lewisham Local Plan (July 2025).

Reason 7

Due to its lack of set back at ground floor, excessive height, poor window and parapet alignment in relation to adjacent building the proposal fails to achieve a high quality in design standards, resulting in an incongruous addition that would be detrimental to the character of the site and street scene, contrary to Paragraphs 131, 135 and 210 of the National Planning Policy Framework (2024), Policy D3 of the London Plan (2021), Policies QD1, QD8, QD10 of the Lewisham Local Plan (July 2025) and provisions of the Council's Small Sites SPD (2021)

Policies cited
D3
D6
QD8
QD2
NPPF
National Planning Framework 135
QD9
T5
National Planning Policy Framework 131
National Planning Policy Framework 135
D4
QD1
SD13
H01
H03
TR4
CI3
QD10
Parties
Applicant
E. Coomes Holdings C/O Colberg Mana
Timeline
27 Aug 2025
Application submitted
15 Sep 2025
Application validated
26 Jan 2026
Delegated decision: Refused
Supporting documents · 12
Delegated report26 Jan 2026View ↗
Decision notice26 Jan 2026View ↗
Existing ground floor plan28 Aug 2025View ↗
Air quality neutral statement28 Aug 2025View ↗
Planning statement28 Aug 2025View ↗
Proposed ground floor plan28 Aug 2025View ↗
Existing location & block plans28 Aug 2025View ↗
Proposed location & block plans28 Aug 2025View ↗
Location plan28 Aug 2025View ↗
Material pallete28 Aug 2025View ↗
Schedule of accomodation28 Aug 2025View ↗
Redacted28 Aug 2025View ↗
View Application Page ↗
Data from the Lewisham planning register.
Summary
Reference
DC/25/141252
Type
Full Planning Permission
Applicant
E. Coomes Holdings C/O Colberg Mana
Submitted
27 Aug 2025
Decision date
26 Jan 2026
Council
Decision
Refused
Decision route
Delegated (officer)
How long, really
22
wks · this application
Submission → decision · 14 wks over the 8-week target
Public response
Objections
0
In support
0
Total comments
0