The proposal was for an amendment to extant planning permission SE/11/00120/FUL. The changes included altered height, width and position of both the front and rear dormers to the side facing roof slope, the enlargement of the first floor side facing window to the small bedroom and an amended design to the single storey rear element, omitting in particular the ground floor glazing to the flank.

The application site was located within the urban area of Sevenoaks and within the Hartslands Conservation Area. The dwelling was not listed and there were no Tree Preservation Orders in force on the site.

Officers considered that the proposal was in accordance with the policies of the Development Plan. The development would respect the context of the site and would not have an unacceptable impact on the street scene. Any potentially significant impacts on the amenities of nearby dwellings could be satisfactorily mitigated by way of the conditions imposed.

Members’ attention was drawn to the tabled Late Observations sheet.

The Committee was addressed by the following speakers:

            Against the Application:        Nichola Williams

            For the Application:               -

            Parish Representative:          -

            Local Member:                       Cllr. Mrs. Purves

A representation from Cllr. Walshe was read out as he was unable to attend the meeting.

Members were concerned that they were again considering a matter where significant construction work had taken place contrary to the permission which had been granted. Members strongly believed that the Planning Enforcement Team should be more pro-active.

In response to a question Officers confirmed that the previous decision had been made under delegated authority and they were unaware of other dormers on neighbouring properties.

The Committee commented that the white plastic cladding on the dormers was out of keeping with the surrounding area. Under the amended proposals the dormers would also increase in volume by approximately 41%.

It was MOVED and was duly seconded:

“That planning permission be refused on the following grounds:

1) The dormers due to their size and through the use of inappropriate materials results in harm to the character of the Conservation Area as well as being visually detrimental to the streetscene. The dormers also have an overbearing impact on the residential amenity of the neighbouring property.  As such the proposal is contrary to the saved policies EN1 and EN23 of the Sevenoaks District Local Plan.”

The motion was put to the vote and it was unanimously

Resolved: That planning permission be REFUSED on the following grounds:

1) The dormers due to their size and through the use of inappropriate materials results in harm to the character of the Conservation Area as well as being visually detrimental to the streetscene. The dormers also have an overbearing impact on the residential amenity of the neighbouring property.  As such the proposal is contrary to the saved policies EN1 and EN23 of the Sevenoaks District Local Plan.