The Portfolio Holder for Planning and Improvement introduced a report presenting the finalised post-consultation Residential Character Area Assessment for Sevenoaks which had been prepared to identify the distinctive local characteristics of the residential areas in different parts of the Sevenoaks urban area and included guidance on achieving high quality design that responded to local character, in line with policies in the Council’s adopted Core Strategy.  The Assessment had been revised to incorporate comments received during consultation.  The report sought approval to adopt the Residential Character Area Assessment  as a Supplementary Planning Document, which would form part of the SDC Local Development Framework.  It would then be a material consideration in determining planning applications in the part of Sevenoaks to which it applies.

Members approved a minor amendment to pages 435, 492, 495 and 499 of the document that had been requested by Chevening Parish Council:

“Landmark Buildings can lift a design from the ordinary and may be justified on the basis of a sound urban design appraisal of their context and a perceived environmental uplift to the quality of the area.  Any landmark building would need to be consistent with the scale and character of the surrounding residential area.”

The Portfolio Holder for Planning and Improvement reported that positive feedback had been received from Resident’s Associations and the Sevenoaks Town Forum.

A Member noted that there was a minor typing error on page 68 of the report.  The quarry cottages had been built in the early 1900s for railway workers.

            Resolved: that

(a)   the revised Sevenoaks Residential Character Area Assessment be adopted as a SPD and that it be printed and published; and

(b)   copies be made available for sale at a price to be agreed by the Portfolio Holder.