The purpose of the Development Committee in relation to planning applications and observations on other matters is as follows.

1. Planning applications

a) To refuse, approve or approve subject to conditions, informatives and/or the completion of a legal agreement (under section 106 of the Town and County Planning Act 1990 and/or section 16 of the Greater London Council (General Powers) Act 1974 and/or other appropriate powers including highway legislation) as appropriate, any application for planning permission, listed building consent, conservation area consent, advertisement consent, certificates of lawfulness of existing or proposed use or development, or any other application under the Town and Country Planning legislation, for the following:

Ø      Proposals involving the erection, alteration or change of use of buildings, structures or land with more than 35 residential or live–work units;

Ø      Proposals involving the erection, alteration or change of use of buildings, structures or land with a floor area of more than 10,000 square metres;

Ø      Retail development with a gross floor space exceeding 5000 square metres; and

Ø      Where the number of written objections received is more than 20 (or petitions with more than 20 signatures), or where 20 or more written objections have been received and the nominated officer(s) consider that these objections cannot be overcome by conditions and/or the completion of a legal agreement

b) To consider listed building or conservation area consent applications made by or on sites/ buildings owned by the Council;

c) To consider any application referred to the Committee by the Corporate Director Development and Renewal where s/he considers it appropriate to do so, for example, if a proposal raises significant issues of local or borough –wide interest.

2. Observations

a) Make formal representations to Government departments, statutory undertakers and similar organisations on proposals submitted by those organisations for comments which would be contrary to policies in the adopted development plan or for especially significant applications or proposals.