Change of use from A1 - retail, to D1 - developmental play classes between the hours of 09:00 - 17:00 for a maximum number of 14 children aged 0-5 years with their carers.

The application sought permission for the change of use from A1 – retail, to D1 – developmental play classes between the hours of 09:00 – 17:00 for a maximum number of 14 children aged 0-5 years with their carers.  The application had been referred to the Committee by Councillor Brown to discuss issues of parking and highways safety.

Members attention was brought to the main agenda paper and the Late Observation sheet which did not propose any amendments or changes to the recommendation before the Committee.  Members were also advised of the statement by the Local Members included in the Late Observations sheet.

The Committee was addressed by the following speakers:

Against the Application:        -

For the Application:               Colette Beard

Parish Representative:          -

Local Member:                       -

Members asked questions of clarification from the Speakers and the Officers.  Members were advised that the first class took place at 9.30am and the last class would finish at 4.14pm with each class lasting 45 minutes.  New attendees would be directed to park in the Tesco car park and current Members would be advised to do so.  In response to a question it was confirmed that condition 03 could be amended to include all public holidays.

It was moved by the Chairman and duly seconded that the recommendation in the report to grant planning permission subject to conditions be agreed.

Members were concerned with the parking issues but were pleased that a verbal agreement had been made between the applicant and Tesco for parking.  Short term parking restrictions were discussed and implemented could be longer than the classes.  It was mooted as to whether a condition could be included for monitoring the parking. Members noted that parking could only be enforced if there were restrictions in the area.

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 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 more than 14 children shall be on the premises at any one time with no more than 5 staff in attendance at the same time.

To prevent the intensification of the use such as to cause problems on the nearby public highways as a result for demand for on street parking spaces.

3)    The premises shall only be open between the hours of 8am - 6pm Mondays to Fridays and at no time on Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays.

To protect the amenities of nearby residents in accordance with the provisions of policy EN1 of the Sevenoaks District Local Plan and policy EN2 of the emerging Allocations and Development Management Plan.

4)    The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved plans: unnumbered site plans and floor plan - existing and proposed.

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

Informative

You are strongly advised to ensure that parents attending the premises park their vehicles in the nearby Tesco Car Park and not on the surrounding public highway

(Cllr. Miss. Stack requested that her abstention from voting be recorded).