Erection of single storey, timber clad modular building to be used as a pre-school and wraparound care for Lady Boswell's School.

The proposal was for the erection of a single storey, timber clad modular building to be used as a pre-school and wraparound care for Lady Boswell’s School. The application was referred to committee as the officer’s recommendation was contrary to that of the Town Council and Councillor Fleming who had requested that the item was brought to Development Control Committee to examine the case for very special circumstances.

Members’ attention was brought to the main agenda papers and the late observations 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:              Fiona Gruneberg        

Parish Representative:         -

Local Member:                      Cllr. Fleming

Members asked questions of clarification from the speakers and officers.

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

Members discussed whether the very special circumstances put forward by the applicant outweighed the harm to the Green Belt. Members discussed the importance of expanding an educational facility in the District. Some concerns were expressed at additional traffic and whether the current traffic management plan provided enough detail on children being taken to the pre-school and the parking facilities for staff.

The motion to refuse planning permission was put to the vote and it was lost.

It was moved and duly seconded that the application should be granted due to the very special circumstances outweighing the harm to the Green Belt and due to the educational need within the District and for a new traffic plan including details for access within the site in consultation with the local members 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 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: Site Location Plan received 15.07.15, SW/15/001 rev b, SW/15/002 rev b, SW/15/003 and SW/15/004.

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

3)     The materials to be used in the construction of the development shall be those indicated on the approved plan drawing number SW/15/004 and those specified on the planning application form submitted.

To ensure that the appearance of the development enhances the character and appearance of the area as supported by Policy EN1 of the Sevenoaks Allocations and Development Management Plan.

4)     Any lighting installed on or around the building shall not be directed to shine on the south-eastern boundary of the site shared with Knole Park.

To avoid impacting upon the adjacent Site of Special Scientific Interest as supported by policy SP11 of the Core Strategy.

5)     Notwithstanding the information submitted, no development shall be carried on the land until a travel plan has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The use of the building shall be then carried out wholly in accordance with the approved travel plan thereafter.

In the interests of highway safety and visual amenity 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.

6)     No development shall be carried out on the land until full details of hard and soft landscape works have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Council. Those details shall include:- existing and proposed areas of hard surfacing, and details of the finishing surface;

- 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 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.

7)     Hard and soft landscape works shall be carried out before first occupation of the building. The landscape works shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details. If within a period of five years from the completion of the development, any of the trees or plants that form part of the approved details of soft landscaping die, are removed or become seriously damaged or diseased then they shall be replaced in the next planting season with others of similar size and species.

To safeguard the visual appearance of the area as supported by policy EN1 of the Sevenoaks Allocations and Development Management Plan.

8)    No development shall be carried out on the land until a plan indicating the positions, design and materials of all means of enclosure to be retained and erected has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Council.

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.