Erection of 2 storey house with garage and associated parking, and access from Bond Close.

The Chairman announced that he would not act as Chairman for the present item as he was a local Member for the item and intended to speak on the item during debate. With the agreement of the meeting he called on the Vice-Chairman, Cllr. Miss. Thornton, to chair the item.

(Cllr. Miss. Thornton in the Chair)

The proposal was for the erection of a two storey detached dwelling house with an attached single storey garage and associated parking, and access from Bond Close. The application had been referred to the Committee at the request of Councillor Williamson to consider the impact of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area in relation to policy EN1 of the Sevenoaks Local Plan.

Members’ attention was brought to further information contained within the late observations sheet, which amended recommended condition 2.It was noted that a Members’ Site Inspection had been held for this application.

The Committee was addressed by the following speakers:

Against the Application:       Tony Slinn

For the Application:              Ian Wyatt

Parish Representative:         Cllr. Mrs. Jones

Local Member:                      Cllr. Grint

Members asked questions of clarification from the Officers. The new development would have a height of 7.4m to the ridge and 5.3m to the eaves compared to 8m and 5.5m for no.8 Bond Close. Officers confirmed there was a landscaping condition which could protect trees on site. The Legal Services Manager confirmed to Members that despite the boundary contention, the Council had been told that all appropriate notices had been served and when he looked at the legal title as part of the Section 106 obligation it appeared that the applicant was correct. Although the Council had been informed part of the boiler house at no.8 may be removed, the Council had no control over this as it did not form part of the application site.

It was moved by the Chairman and was duly seconded that the recommendation in the report, as amended by the Late Observations Sheet, to grant permission subject to conditions be adopted.

Members noted that the site constituted previously undeveloped back garden. It was thought that the proposal was out of proportion with the plot in height size and mass. It would be detrimental to the defined streetscene as it would be the same size as the only other dwelling that was noticeably out of keeping. It would be overbearing and would affect the outlook and visual amenity of the kitchen at no.7 Bond Close.

The motion was put to the vote and it was lost. It was moved by the Chairman and duly seconded that planning permission be refused as The proposed development would result in an overdevelopment of the site by virtue of the dwelling’s size, scale, bulk and mass and would appear cramped form of development, out of character with the established pattern of development in the locality contrary to Policy EN1 of the Sevenoaks District Local Plan and SP1 of the Sevenoaks Core Strategy.

The motion was put to the vote and it was

Resolved: That planning permission be refused as the proposed development would result in an overdevelopment of the site by virtue of the dwelling’s size, scale, bulk and mass and would appear cramped form of development, out of character with the established pattern of development in the locality contrary to Policy EN1 of the Sevenoaks District Local Plan and SP1 of the Sevenoaks Core Strategy.

(Cllr. Williamson resumed the Chair)