Demolition of existing dwelling and outbuildings; erection of replacement dwelling with integral garaging facilities and timber decking to rear elevation.

The application sought permission for the demolition of existing dwelling and outbuildings; erection of replacement dwelling with integral garaging facilities and timber decking to rear elevation.  The application had been referred to Committee at the request of Councillor Lowe who wished for the appropriateness of the development within the Green Belt and the consistency in decision making to be discussed.

Members attention was brought to the main agenda papers and the late observation sheet which proposed amendments to the detailed wording of some of the conditions.

The Committee was addressed by the following speakers:

Against the Application:       -

For the Application:              Jacquie Andrews

Parish Representative:         Cllr. John Verrall

Local Member:                      Cllr. Miss. Lowe (submission read by Cllr. Miss Stack)

Members asked questions of clarification from Officers.

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 considered whether the proposed development was materially larger than the current dwelling and acknowledged that it was slightly smaller in height.  It was noted that the permitted development rights on the property would be removed and that there was a condition surrounding the uncovering of archaeological interests. 

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)    Prior to commencement of development samples 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 area as supported by Policy EN1 of the Sevenoaks District Local Plan.

3)    The development shall be carried out in accordance with the following plans 444 -PD-002 A, 4441-PD-003 A

For the avoidance of doubt and in accordance with proper planning as supported by policy EN1 of the Sevenoaks District Local Plan and the National Planning Policy Framework.

4)    Prior to commencement of development the applicant, or their agents or successors in title, shall secure the implementation of a programme of archaeological work in accordance with a written specification and timetable which has been submitted to and approved by the Local Planning Authority

To ensure that features of archaeological interest are properly examined and recorded in accordance with policy EN25 of the Sevenoaks District Local Plan and the National Planning Policy Framework.

5)    Notwithstanding the provisions of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 as amended no development falling within Class(es) A, B or E of Part 1 of Schedule 2 to the said Order shall be carried out on site.

To enable the Local Planning Authority to retain control over future development to preserve the openness of the Green Belt in accordance with policies H14A of the Sevenoaks District Local Plan and the National Planning Policy Framework.

6)    Prior to commencement of development full details of both hard and soft landscaping shall be submitted to and approved by the Local Planning Authority.  These details shall cover as appropriate: Proposed finished levels or contours; Boundary Treatments; Hard surfacing materials; Planting plans; Written specification (including cultivation and other operations associated with plant and grass establishment); Schedules of plants, noting species, planting sizes and proposed numbers/densities, and Implementation timetables.

To safeguard the visual appearance of the area as supported by EN1 of the Sevenoaks District Local Plan.

7)    Prior to commencement of development details of any existing land levels and proposed changes in land level, and cross sections too show how these relate to the proposed basement shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Council.  Any proposed scheme shall then be completed in accordance with the approved details prior to the commencement of development.

To safeguard the visual appearance of the area as supported by EN1 of the Sevenoaks District Local Plan and to preserve the openness of the Green Belt in accordance with policy H13 of the Sevenoaks District Local Plan and the National Planning Policy Framework.

8)    Prior to the commencement of development (including site clearance works), written evidence shall be submitted to and approved by the Local Planning Authority detailing the appointment of an appropriately qualified Code For Sustainable Homes Assessor. Prior to the first occupation of the dwelling(s) hereby approved, a written assessment, carried out by an appropriately qualified Code for Sustainable Homes Assessor upon the completion of the development and detailing a "Code For Sustainable Homes" rating of a minimum of 3 shall be submitted to and approved by the Local Planning Authority in writing.

To ensure the development contributes to the principles of sustainable development as outlined in policy

9)    Notwithstanding the provisions of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995  no works shall be carried out (lightwells, steps etc.) that will make the basement visible and means it is no longer completely submerged.

To enable the Local Planning Authority to retain control over future development and to preserve the openness of the Green Belt in accordance with policies H14A of the Sevenoaks District Local Plan and the National Planning Policy Framework.

10) Prior to commencement of development all existing outbuildings and structures on the site including the existing outbuildings shown as 1,2 and 3 on 4441-PD-002 REV A shall be demolished and all resulting materials removed from the site.

To protect the openness of the Green Belt and the character of the landscape as supported by Policies H13 of the Sevenoaks District Local Plan.

11)  The development shall achieve a Code for Sustainable homes minimum rating of level 3. Evidence shall be provided to the Local Authority

i) Prior to the commencement of development, of how it is intended the development will achieve a Code for Sustainable Homes Design Certificate minimum level 3 or alternative as agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority; and

ii) Prior to the occupation of the development, that the development has achieved a Code for Sustainable Homes post construction certificate minimum level 3 or alternative as agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

In the interests of environmental sustainability and reducing the risk of climate change as supported in Planning Policy Statement 1, policies CC2 & CC4 of the South East Regional Plan & Policy NR1 of the Kent & Medway Structure Plan.

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