The proposal sought permission for the erection of a new detached farmhouse to be sited adjacent to existing farm buildings at Home Farm. 

The Officers considered that the re-organisation of the Chevening Estate had resulted in the expansion of the dairy unit to the point where a second residential unit was required in close proximity to the farm.  The Council’s Rural Planning Consultant had advised that this unit would meet the tests of relevant guidance such as to demonstrate a functional and financial need for this dwelling within ‘sight and sound’ of the farmyard. The siting and design of the revised scheme was considered to minimise the effects upon the surrounding Green Belt and AONB.  The site lies within registered park and garden of the Chevening Estate and with the revised location in closer proximity to the adjacent farm buildings it was considered that the impact upon the parkland was also reduced to an acceptable level such that the house would sit comfortably within its surroundings.

The Committee was addressed by the following speakers:

Against the Application:        -

For the Application:               Mr. G. Back

            Parish Representative:          Mr. M. Stokes

Local Member:                       -

Members were concerned as to the impact on the green belt and AONB but had mind to the Rural Consultant’s advice.

It was MOVED by the Vice-Chairman and duly seconded that the recommendations in the report subject to an amendment to Condition 7 to lower the ground floor slab level to 1m lower than existing surrounding land levels, to grant planning permission be approved.

The motion was put to the vote and there voted –

8 votes in favour of the motion

2 votes against the motion

Resolved: That planning permission be GRANTED subject to the following conditions:

1)         The development hereby permitted shall be begun before the expiration of three years from the date of this permission.

In pursuance of section 91 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

2)         No development shall be carried out on the land until details of the materials to be used in the construction of the external surfaces of the dwelling hereby permitted have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Council. The development shall be carried out using the approved materials.

To ensure that the appearance of the development is in harmony with the existing character of the site as supported by Policy EN1 of the Sevenoaks District Local Plan.

3)         No development shall be carried out on the land until full details of soft landscape works have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Council.  Those details shall include:-planting plans (identifying existing planting, plants to be retained and new planting);-a schedule of new plants (noting species, size of stock at time of planting and proposed number/densities); and-a programme of implementation.-materials for all hard landscaping-  boundary treatment. The scheme shall be implemented in accordance with the approved details. Any plants that are damaged, become diseased, die or are removed within 5 years of the implementation of the scheme shall be replaced with species of a size and in a location to be agreed in writing  by the Local Planning Authority.

To ensure a satisfactory appearance upon completion.

4)         The occupation of the dwelling shall be limited to a person solely or mainly working, or last working, in the locality in agriculture, or in forestry or a dependant of such a person residing with him or her, or a widow or widower of such a person.

This permission is granted specifically because of the special circumstances of this case; as the proposal is contrary to the policies of the development plan.

5)         Prior to the commencement of development, details shall be submitted in writing to and be approved by the Local Planning Authority of proposed wheel washing facilities.  The approved facilities shall be maintained throughout the duration of the works.

To ensure that the nearby public highway remains clear of mud and debris.

6)         Before the use or occupation of the development hereby permitted, the car and lorry parking and turning areas and servicing areas shown on the approved plan shall be provided and shall be kept available for the parking of cars and lorries and for servicing at all times.

In the interest of highway safety.

7)         No development shall take place until details of the existing levels of the site, the proposed slab levels and any changes in levels within the site, have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.  The finished ground floor slab level shall be 1m lower than existing surrounding land levels.  The development shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details.

To ensure a satisfactory appearance upon completion.

8)         The ecological enhancements referred to in paragraph 4.11 of the report Bats Buildings and Barn Owls shall be implemented during the construction of the development hereby approved and shall be permanently retained thereafter.

To ensure compliance with the objectives of the National Planning Policy Framework.

9)         The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved plans: 02011/PL/160C,02011/PL/223, 02011/PL/307A, 02011/PL/400B.

For the avoidance of doubt and in the interests of proper planning.

The works would preserve and protect the setting of the Registered Parkland.

The following very special circumstances exceptionally outweigh any harm by reason of inappropriateness and any additional harm to the Metropolitan Green Belt by reason of other factors: Need for a new agricultural dwelling.