Paul Basham Associates assisted Chancerygate in securing planning consent for two commercial development options on the same site adjacent to the A20 in Sidcup.
The Brief
We were asked to support Chancerygate’s proposals for the vacant site, consisting of over 11,000sqm of employment floorspace across use classes B1c/B2/B8. With one development option being solely accessed from Edgington Way and a second option with an additional access from Sandy Lane, a robust assessment was required to determine the impact the proposals would have on important local and strategic road networks. This required modelling of key junctions such as Ruxley Corner roundabout and Crittall’s Corner gyratory.
Our Approach
As the site was in LB Bromley and the access in LB Bexley, not to mention TfL’s interest in the nearby A20, extensive stakeholder engagement was high on the agenda to ensure the right balance was struck between differing pressures from the highway authorities whilst delivering the client’s preferred scheme.
In addition to the usual Transport Assessment and Travel Plan requirements, extensive modelling assessments were required with a wide range of sensitivity tests to reflect not only the flexible use class permission sought, but also multiple traffic distributions arising from the dual scheme approach and finally to test the impact of vastly different policy positions taken by the authorities on the level of parking provision.
In addition, to overcome concerns relating to impact on the local road network, a monitoring protocol was negotiated, requiring payment by the applicant if certain worst-case trip generation thresholds are exceeded. Modest off-site mitigation works were also identified, and secured through contribution.
The Result
With the single access scheme receiving a first-time consent at planning committee and the dual access scheme being approved at the following committee, we are delighted to have supported Chancerygate and to see the site fully occupied.