The proposal sought retrospective permission for the erection of a wooden shed to be used for the storage of straw bedding, animal feed and mowing equipment. The shed was positioned on an existing concrete base on which a water tank was previously situated.

The site was rural in nature, bordered by mature trees along the eastern and western boundaries, with the surrounding land-uses being agricultural. The nearest residential dwellings were located approximately 70m to the west.

Officers considered that the wooden shed (to be used for agricultural purposes) was appropriate development within the Green Belt and was in accordance with the National Planning Policy Framework. The shed was no bigger than necessary and was acceptable in terms of design, scale and bulk. Any potentially significant impacts on the amenities of nearby dwellings could be satisfactorily mitigated by way of the conditions imposed.

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:       -

For the Application:              -

Parish Representative:         Andrew Michaelides

Local Member:                      Cllr. Miss. Thornton

No drainage details had been supplied but there were no such facilities from its previous usage.

The Committee considered the proposal modest when compared to some buildings which could be permitted as agricultural and there were trees nearby to obscure the view. Several Members stated they would have no objection to the proposal if the structure were painted green. They noted that the present site was a working small holding and the shed would be in use.

It was MOVED by the Chairman and was duly seconded that the recommendation in the report to grant permission subject to conditions be adopted together with an additional condition requiring soft landscaping including hedging of indigenous species, not poisonous to livestock and mostly green, and that the walls of the shed be stained green.

The motion was put to the vote and it was unanimously

Resolved: That planning permission be GRANTED subject to the following conditions:-

1)      The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved plans:- Block Plan, dated July 2012, stamped 22 August 2012;- Drawing Number EL01, dated 07/08/2012, stamped 9 August 2012;- Drawing Number EL02, dated 03/09/2012, stamped 4 September 2012;- Drawing Number SK03, dated 17/08/2012, stamped 20 August 2012;

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

2)      No external lighting shall be installed on the application site or on the wooden shed.

To protect the amenity of the area and the residential amenities of nearby dwellings as supported by policy EN1 of the Sevenoaks District Local Plan, policies SP1 and LO8 of the Sevenoaks Core Strategy and the National Planning Policy Framework.

3)      The wooden structure hereby approved shall be used for agricultural purposes only.

To prevent inappropriate development in the Green Belt as supported by the National Planning Policy Framework.

4)      Within one month of the permission hereby approved, full details of soft landscape works specifying hedging of indigenous species not poisonous to livestock shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Council. Those details shall include:
- planting plans (identifying existing planting, plants to be retained and new planting);
- a scheme of new plants noting species, size of stock at time of planting and proposed number / densities); and
-a programme of implementation.

To ensure that the appearance of the development is in harmony with the existing character of the area as supported by Policy LO8 of the Sevenoaks District Core Strategy.

5)      Within one month of the date of this permission, the wooden shed shall be treated with a dark green wood stain and maintained thereafter unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

To safeguard the appearance of the area as supported by Policy LO8 of the Sevenoaks District Core Strategy.