This application is the consequence of a complaint in respect to a previously granted permission, 10/02828/FUL due to the development as built not being in accordance with the approved plans. The proposal sought retention of a single storey rear extension, balcony & first floor extensions to north & south elevations. Change of fenestration. Retention of double garage with room above, dormer windows, external staircase and air source heat pumps.

Officers considered that the development would not have an unacceptable impact on the residential amenities of nearby dwellings.  Whilst the development had been carried out without permission and could not be condoned the development as constructed needed to be assessed on its merits;  account taken of the previous planning approval;  consideration of the variations to the approved scheme needed to be considered in respect to whether it had an adverse impact and if so whether sufficient to justify the constructed scheme being regarded as unacceptable when the original scheme was considered acceptable.  The principal issues were impact on amenities and street scene, and trees.  The Case Officer reported that since the site meeting that morning he had investigated the noise from the air source heat pumps with Environmental Health and they had confirmed that it was within acceptable limits.

The Committee was addressed by the following speakers:

Against the Application:   Mrs. S. Wandless

     For the Application:          Mr. S. Toms

     Parish Representative:     Mrs. B. Ide

     Local Member:                  Cllr. J. London

Some Members expressed concern that the development had managed to progress so far without the correct permission.  There was concern with regards to the height of the roof garage, impact on the street scene, and over development.

It was MOVED by the Vice-Chairman and duly seconded that planning permission be refused as the proposal represented an over development of the site, was detrimental to the street scene, particularly due to the large two storey garage at the front of the site. The development would also result in an unacceptable loss of privacy to the adjoining property, The Beeches. As a result the proposal was contrary to Policy EN1 of the Sevenoaks District Local Plan, relevant provisions of the Sevenoaks Residential Character Area Assessment and the design policies of the National Planning Policy Framework, notably paragraph 64. 

A Member asked that the acceptability of the access and egress arrangements to the garage be investigated. The motion was put to the vote and unanimously -

Resolved: That the planning application be REFUSED as the proposal represented an over development of the site, was detrimental to the street scene, particularly due to the large two storey garage at the front of the site. The development would also result in an unacceptable loss of privacy to the adjoining property, The Beeches. As a result the proposal was contrary to Policy EN1 of the Sevenoaks District Local Plan, relevant provisions of the Sevenoaks Residential Character Area Assessment and the design policies of the National Planning Policy Framework, notably paragraph 64.