To approve the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 1 April 2015, as a correct record.

Resolved: That the minutes of the Development Control Committee held on 1 April 2015 be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

Including any interests not already registered

Cllr. Raikes declared a pecuniary interest in minute items 123, 124 and 125 -Wildernesse House, Wildernesse Avenue Sevenoaks TN15 0EB  (SE/14/01562/OUT, SE/14/01563/LBCALT and SE/14/01531/FUL).   Upon their consideration he left the Chamber and did not take part in the debate or voting thereon.

Cllr. Raikes also declared that he was a Member of Sevenoaks Town Council for minute item 126 - SE/14/02434/FUL 10 The Drive, Sevenoaks TN13 3AE and had been party to decisions of Sevenoaks Town Council but remained open minded.

Cllr. Miss. Thornton declared that she was the Local Member for minute items 123, 124 and 125 -Wildernesse House, Wildernesse Avenue Sevenoaks TN15 0EB  (SE/14/01562/OUT, SE/14/01563/LBCALT and SE/14/01531/FUL)  and that she had communication with local residents but remained open minded.

Cllr. Miss. Thornton also declared that she knew an immediate neighbour of the  property in minute item 126 - SE/14/02434/FUL 10 The Drive, Sevenoaks TN13 3AE.

All Members declared that they had been lobbied in respect of minute items 123, 124 and 125 - Wildernesse House, Wildernesse Avenue Sevenoaks TN15 0EB (SE/14/01562/OUT, SE/14/01563/LBCALT and SE/14/01531/FUL).

There were no public speakers against the following item and no Member reserved the item for debate. Therefore, in accordance with Part 7.3(e) of the constitution, the following matter was considered without debate:

Demolition of existing detached dwelling and garage and erection of a replacement detached dwelling with basement, including introduction of new garage outbuilding currently permitted by lawful development certificate. Introduction of outdoor swimming pool in rear garden. (Amended proposal reduced in size and height to that refused planning permission under SE/14/02079/FUL).

The proposal was for demolition of existing detached dwelling and garage and erection of a replacement detached dwelling with basement, including introduction of new garage outbuilding currently permitted by lawful development certificate; introduction of outdoor swimming pool in rear garden (Amended proposal reduced in size and height to that refused planning permission under SE/14/02079/FUL).  It had been referred to Committee in the absence of a Ward Member for the Cowden and Hever Ward and the Officer's recommendation being contrary to that of the Parish Council.

Members’ attention was brought to the main agenda papers and the late observation sheet which proposed amendments and changes to the recommendations before the Committee. 

Resolved:  That 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 samples of the materials to be used in the construction of the external surfaces of the replacement 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 locality as supported by policy EN1 of the Sevenoaks Allocations and Development Management Plan.  The Local Planning Authority is satisfied that it is fundamental to the development permitted to address this issue before development commences and that without this safeguard planning permission should not be granted

3)    No development shall take place until details of the: existing levels of the land; any proposed slab levels and any changes in levels have been submitted for approval.  The development shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details.

To safeguard the visual appearance of the area as supported by policy EN1 of the Sevenoaks Allocations and Development Management Plan.  The Local Planning Authority is satisfied that it is fundamental to the development permitted to address this issue before development commences and that without this safeguard planning permission should not be granted

4)    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.

To preserve the visual appearance of the area as supported by policy EN1 of the Sevenoaks Allocations and Development Management Plan.  The Local Planning Authority is satisfied that it is fundamental to the development permitted to address this issue before development commences and that without this safeguard planning permission should not be granted

5)    If within a period of five years from the completion of the development, any of the trees  ...  view the full minutes text for item 122.

The Committee considered the following planning applications:

Development comprising (a) detailed permission for the demolition of existing buildings and structures and the construction of new/replacement floorspace, extra care accommodation for older people (sui generis use). Conversion of the existing grade II listed Wildernesse House to provide extra care accommodation (sui generis use) to comprise extra care units, staff accommodation and communal facilities, including a kitchen, restaurant/bar, a gym and treatment rooms, communal lounge/library and storage facilities. Car parking for up to 118 cars for residents, visitors and staff of the extra care community. The creation of a new vehicular access onto Park Lane and an access driveway. A comprehensive landscape strategy comprising communal and private spaces and gardens for use by residents of the proposed extra care community and the provision of new/replacement storage structure to house plant, maintenance equipment, mobility scooters and cycles and (b) outline permission, with all matters reserved, for the erection of three residential units (class C3). Description amended 12th Dec 2014 and 6th Feb 2015.

The proposal was for a development comprising of: (a) detailed permission for the demolition of existing buildings and structures and the construction of new/replacement floorspace, extra care accommodation for older people (sui generis use);  conversion of the existing grade II listed Wildernesse House to provide extra care accommodation (sui generis use) to comprise extra care units, staff accommodation and communal facilities, including a kitchen, restaurant/bar, a gym and treatment rooms, communal lounge/library and storage facilities; car parking for up to 118 cars for residents, visitors and staff of the extra care community; the creation of a new vehicular access onto Park Lane and an access driveway; a comprehensive landscape strategy comprising communal and private spaces and gardens for use by residents of the proposed extra care community and the provision of new/replacement storage structure to house plant, maintenance equipment, mobility scooters and cycles;  and (b) outline permission, with all matters reserved, for the erection of three residential units (class C3) description amended 12 December 2014 and 6 February 2015. 

It had been referred to Committee as the Officer's recommendation was at variance to the view of the Parish Council and at the request of Councillor Hogarth who was of the view that the proposal would potentially result in a detrimental impact on the Metropolitan Green Belt, highways safety, the listed building and the conservation area.

Members’ attention was brought to the main agenda papers and the late observation sheet which proposed amendments and changes to the recommendations before the Committee. 

The Committee was addressed by the following speakers:

Against the Application:        -

For the Application:               Guy Flintoft

Parish Representative:          Parish Cllr. Tony Bulleid

Local Member:                       Cllr. Hogarth

Members asked questions of clarification from the speakers and officers. 

It was moved by the Chairman and duly seconded that the recommendation in the agenda papers as amended by the late observations, to grant planning permission subject to conditions be agreed.

Members considered the Parish Council’s concerns with regards to the construction traffic and it was suggested that the informative could be strengthened as the word ‘endeavour’ was not strong enough. 

Subject to the amendment to the second informative by the deletion of the words ‘ endeavour to’,  the motion was put to the vote and it was

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

1)    The development hereby permitted (with the exception of the three residential units) 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)    Details relating to the layout, scale and appearance of each of the proposed three residential units, the means of access, and the landscaping associated with each residential unit (hereinafter called the "reserved matters") shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the District Planning Authority before the development of each residential unit is commenced.

3)    Application for approval of the reserved matters relating to the three residential units shall  ...  view the full minutes text for item 123.

The partial demolition of and alterations to the grade II listed Wildernesse House.

The proposal was for partial demolition of and alterations to the grade II listed Wildernesse House.  It had been referred to Committee at the request of Councillor Hogarth who was of the view that the proposal should be considered in conjunction with planning application SE/14/01562/OUT so that the development could be considered as a whole.

Members’ attention was brought to the main agenda papers and the late observation sheet which added planning history and clarification to the report but did not change the recommendations before the Committee. 

The Chairman asked whether the speakers wished to address the Committee again and they confirmed that they were all satisfied that their points had already been made when speaking to minute 123 - SE/14/01562/OUT Wildernesse House, Wildernesse Avenue, Sevenoaks  TN15 0EB.

It was moved by the Chairman and duly seconded that the recommendation in the agenda papers as amended by the late observations, to grant planning permission subject to conditions be agreed.

The motion was put to the vote and it was

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

1)    The works to which this consent relates shall begin before the expiration of three years from the date of this consent.

In pursuance of section 18 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990.

2)    The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved plans: 5433/P/002, 234852-140-B Revision A, 234852-140-LG Revision A, 234852-140-00 Revision A, 234852-140-01 Revision A, 234852-140-02 Revision A, 234852-140, 234852-141, 234852-142, 234852-143, 234852-144, 234852-145, 234852-146, 234852-147, 234852-148, 234852-14L, 234852-150-B Revision A, 234852-150-LG Revision A, 234852-150-00 Revision A, 234852-150-01 Revision A, 234852-150-02 Revision A, 234852-160, 234852-161, 234852-162, 234852-163, 234852-200-B Revision P2, 234852-200-LG Revision P2, 234852-200-00 Revision P2, 234852-200-01 Revision P2, 234852-200-02 Revision P2, 234852-200-04 Revision P2 234852-220, 234852-221, 234852-222, 234852-223, 234852-2LG, 234852-450, 234852-451, A211-A-Z1-E-(01)P101, A211-A-Z1-E-(01)P102, A211-A-Z1-E-(01)P103, A211-A-Z1-E-(01)P201, A211-A-Z1-E-(01)P202, A211-A-Z1-E-(01)P203, A211-A-Z1-E-(01)P301, A211-A-Z1-E-(01)P302, A211-A-Z1-E-(01)P303 and A211-A-Z1-E-(01)P304.

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

3)    No works shall take place until full details of the making good of the main house where demolition works are hereby granted consent have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Council. The works shall be carried out using the approved details.

To conserve the significance of the listed building as supported by policy EN4 of the Sevenoaks Allocations and Development Management Plan.4)   No works shall take place until samples of the materials to be used in the construction of the external surfaces of the new extension hereby granted consent have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Council. The works shall be carried out using the approved materials.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 124.

Planning permission for demolition of existing buildings and structures in a conservation area.

The proposal was for planning permission for demolition of existing buildings and structures in a conservation area.  It had been referred to Committee at the request of Councillor Hogarth who was of the view that the proposal should be considered in conjunction with planning application SE/14/01562/OUT so that the development can be considered as a whole.

Members’ attention was brought to the main agenda papers and the late observation sheet which proposed an amendment but did not change the recommendation before the Committee. 

The Chairman asked whether the speakers wished to address the Committee again and they confirmed that they were all satisfied that their points had already been made when speaking to minute 123 - SE/14/01562/OUT Wildernesse House, Wildernesse Avenue, Sevenoaks  TN15 0EB.

Members asked questions of clarification from the speakers and officers concerning potential noise and dust nuisance from any rock grinding and demolitions plans.  It was confirmed that this was covered within the conditions.

It was moved by the Chairman and duly seconded that the recommendation in the agenda papers as amended by the late observations, to grant planning permission subject to conditions, and in light of Members’ concerns subject to discussing the matter of controlled demolition either through a condition or informative with the Local Members, be agreed.

The motion was put to the vote and it was

Resolved:  That That planning permission be GRANTED subject to discussing the matter of controlled demolition either through a condition or informative with the Local Members and the following conditions:

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)    The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved plans: 5433/P/001 and A211-A-Z0-(00) P101.

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

3)    The demolition hereby permitted shall not be undertaken before a contract agreement for the carrying out of the works of redevelopment of the site has been made and planning permission has been granted for the redevelopment for which the contract provides.

(Cllr. Raikes left the room for this item and did not take part in the debate or voting thereon)

Demolition of existing garage, lean to shed and greenhouse, to facilitate a two storey rear extension single storey front extension and alterations to fenestration to the former garage and mews cottage at the rear of 10 The Drive into a small three bedroom house.

The proposal was for the demolition of existing garage, lean to shed and greenhouse, to facilitate a two storey rear extension single storey front extension and alterations to fenestration to the former garage and mews cottage at the rear of 10 The Drive into a small three bedroom house.  It had been referred to Committee by Councillor on the basis of overdevelopment, impact upon the Conservation Area and the change in use class.

Members’ attention was brought to the main agenda papers and the late observation sheet which added a condition but did not change the recommendations before the Committee. 

The Committee was addressed by the following speakers:

Against the Application:        Roy Walker

For the Application:               Richard Reid

Parish Representative:          -

Local Members:                     Cllr. Fleming

                                                Mrs. Dawson

Members asked questions of clarification from the speakers and officers concerning why it was not back land development and concerning distances and obscured glazing.  It was confirmed that it was not back land development as the buildings were already there and that the first floor bathroom window in the south elevation was conditioned to be obscurely glazed. 

It was moved by the Chairman and duly seconded that the recommendation in the agenda papers as amended by the late observations, to grant planning permission subject to conditions be agreed.

Members discussed the issue of back land development, some Members thought it would enhance the area and liked the sympathetic design.

The motion was put to the vote and it was

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

1)    The development hereby permitted shall be begun before the expiration of 3 years from the date of this permission.

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

2)    The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved plans: PL.01A, PL.02A, PL.03A, PL.04A, PL.10B, PL.11B, PL.12B, PL.20, D.01, DIAG.01, S.03, SLP.01A

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

3)    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 enhances the character and appearance of the locality as supported by Policy EN1 of the Sevenoaks Allocations and Development Management Plan.

4)    Prior to occupation of the dwelling, the first floor bathroom window in the south elevation shall be obscurely glazed and shall be retained as such thereafter.

To safeguard the privacy of residents as supported by Policy EN2 of the Sevenoaks Allocations and Development Management Plan.

5)    The development shall achieve a BREEAM minimum rating of very good. Evidence shall be provided to the Local Authority –

i) Prior to the commencement of development, of how it  ...  view the full minutes text for item 126.

As it was the last meeting before the election, the Committee expressed their appreciation of all Mrs Dawson’s  years of dedication and service, by standing ovation.

The Chairman had agreed to take the following prior notification application as a matter of urgency as it had been submitted by a member of staff on 27 April 2015 and such applications must be determined within a given timescale or they benefit from an automatic permission.  As the application had been submitted by a member of staff it had to be determined by the Development Control Committee, and of the matter was not considered at the meeting the next Committee was on the 28 May which was 3 days after the application expired and automatic permission wold have to be granted.

There were no public speakers against the following item and no Member reserved the item for debate. Therefore, in accordance with Part 7.3(e) of the constitution, the matter was considered without debate:

The proposal was for an extension to an existing steel framed portal building.  It had been referred to Committee as the applicant's wife was a serving officer of the Council.

Resolved:  That the decision be delegated to the Chief Planning Officer, with any adverse comments received during the statutory consultation period being first discussed with Chairman of the Development Control Committee before the decision is issued. 

At this time and in the absence of comments, the Officer recommends that Prior Approval is Not Required.

Informatives

 1)   As cited by Schedule Two, Part 6 Class A, paragraphs (i) and (k), the extension hereby permitted will not be used for the storage of fuel or waste from biomass boilers or anaerobic digestion system, storage of slurry or sewage sludge or to be used for the accommodation of livestock except in circumstances described in Part 6 Class A, paragraph D.1(3) of the Town and Country Planning General Permitted Development Order 2015.