Demolition of existing garden room and erection of a single storey rear extension. Conversion of existing garage to habitable space and erection of a detached garage resubmission of SE/13/03491/HOUSE.

The application sought permission for the demolition of the existing garden room and erection of a single storey rear extension. Conversion of existing garage to habitable space and erection of a detached garage resubmission of SE/13/03491/HOUSE.  The application had been referred to Committee by Councillor Firth to consider whether the proposal is acceptable in the Green Belt.

Members attention was brought to the main agenda papers and the Late Observation Sheet which did not propose any amendments or changes to the recommendation before the Committee.

The Committee was addressed by the following speakers:

Against the Application:        -

For the Application:               Helle Jacobsen

Parish Representative:          Cllr. Hocknell

Local Member:                       Cllr. Firth (submission read by Cllr. Piper)

Members asked questions of clarification from the Officers. The Planning Manager advised that legislation had allowed for small extensions to be built without planning permission the Government has over the years increased the size an extension could be without planning permission and this was classed as Permitted Development Rights.  Sometimes these were confirmed with a Lawful Development Certificate.  Under  Permitted Development Rights the Council would have no input on the design.

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 discussed the application and were pleased that a legal agreement had been signed for the Permitted Development Rights to be removed if planning permission was granted, it was noted that there was more hardstanding if planning permission was granted rather than Permitted Development Rights. Some Members questioned whether very special circumstances applied to the application.

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)    The materials to be used in the construction of the external surfaces of the development hereby permitted shall match those used on the existing building.

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

3)    The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved plans: 1893-13-Pl500 P5, PL502 P3, PL503 P1,P5

4)    No extensions or external alterations shall be carried out to the dwelling hereby approved despite the provisions of any Development Order

To prevent inappropriate development in the Green Belt as supported by the National Planning Policy Framework and policy H14A of the Sevenoaks District Local Plan.

5)    No building or enclosure other than those shown on the approved plans, shall be erected within the curtilage of the dwelling hereby approved, despite the provisions of any Development Order.

To prevent inappropriate development in the Green Belt as supported by the National Planning Policy Framework and policy H14B of the Sevenoaks District Local Plan.

6)    No development shall take place until a scheme of ecological enhancement such as bat roosting features and bird boxes has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Council. The approved scheme shall be implemented before first use of the garages.

To promote biodiversity as supported by Policy SP11 of Sevenoaks District Councils Core Strategy.

(Cllr. Walshe requested that his abstention from voting be recorded).