Proposed change of use of the existing car park to a vehicle rental business (sui generis) including erection of small office and the provision of a car valet area.

The application sought consent for the proposed change of use of the existing car park to a vehicle rental business (sui generis) including erection of a small office and the provision of a car valet area. The application was referred to Development Control Committee by Councillor Raikes on the grounds that the proposal would potentially impact parking provision locally.

Members’ attention was brought to the main agenda papers and the late observations which provided further information.

The Committee was addressed by the following speakers:

Against the Application:   -

For the Application:          Juliet Heap (Agent)

Parish Representative:      Oliver Schneider (Town Councillor)      

Local Member:                 -

Members asked questions of clarification from the speakers and officers. In response to questions, members were advised that the applicant would be happy with conditions relating to the retention of clear access over and along the entrance road into the existing car park and properties and would also accept less stringent valeting hours. Therefore, if so minded, conditions 5 and 6 could be amended.

It was moved by the Chairman and duly seconded that the recommendations within the report to grant change of use, be agreed.

Members discussed operating hours for the valeting service and access for the neighbouring properties.

The Chairman moved an amendment to motion 5, that the valeting hours be amended to Monday – Friday 9am – 6pm and Saturday 9am – 1pm and condition 6 to include provisions for the retention of access in the site management plan.

The amended 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, Site Plan - Proposed, Building Plan, Building Elevations and Wash-bay Canopy.

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

3)   The vehicle rental business hereby permitted is for a sui generis use only and for no other purpose.

In the interests of highway safety as supported by policies EN1 and T2 of the Sevenoaks Allocations and Development Management Plan.

4)   No customer or potential customer and no activities associated with the approved use, including servicing, vehicle parking or the manoeuvring of vehicles, shall take place on the site between 1900hrs and 0700hrs daily.

To safeguard the amenities of nearby residents as supported by Policy EN2 of the Sevenoaks Allocations and Development Management Plan.

5)   The valeting of vehicles shall only be carried out on the premises between 0900hrs and 1800hrs Monday to Friday and on Saturday 0900hrs and 1300hours.

To safeguard the amenities of nearby residents as supported by Policy EN2 of the Sevenoaks Allocations and Development Management Plan.

6)   Prior to the operation of the approved car rental use being commenced a site management plan for the operation of the use shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority. The use shall operate in accordance with the approved site management plan and the plan shall include measures to control the number of private vehicles arriving at the site as well as ensuring that there would be no obstruction to access through the site.

In the interests of highway safety as supported by policy EN1 of the Sevenoaks Allocations and Development Management Plan.

7)   Prior to the operation of the approved car rental use being commenced details of suitable surface water drainage system for the site and management of the drainage system shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority. The development shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details.

To ensure the site is appropriately drained in accordance with the National Planning Policy Framework.

8)   Prior to the operation of the approved car rental use being commenced details of a sound reducing cabinet to house the jet wash equipment suitable shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority. The development shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details and maintained thereafter.

To safeguard the amenities of nearby residents as supported by Policy EN2 of the Sevenoaks Allocations and Development Management Plan.