To approve the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 16 January 2020, as a correct record.

Resolved: That the Minutes of the Development Control Committee held on 16 January 2020, be signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

Including any interests not already registered

Councillor Ball declared that for Minute 62 – 19/02951/HYB White Oak Leisure Centre, Hilda May Avenue, Swanley Kent BR8 7BT, he had previously considered the matter when it was discussed by Swanley Town Council, but remained open minded.

Councillor Barnett declared that for Minute 63 - 19/01682/FUL - Land East of Bray Road, Four Elms Road, Edenbridge Kent TN8 6AD, it was in his ward and had previously considered the matter when it was discussed by Swanley Town Council, but remained open minded.

Councillor Coleman declared that for Minute 62 – 19/02951/HYB White Oak Leisure Centre, Hilda May Avenue, Swanley Kent BR8 7BT, she had considered provision at White Oak as a member of the People & Places Advisory Committee, but remained open minded.

Councillor P Darrington declared that for Minute 62 – 19/02951/HYB White Oak Leisure Centre, Hilda May Avenue, Swanley Kent BR8 7BT, it was in his ward and he used the facilities, but remained open minded.

Councillor Layland declared that for Minute 63 - 19/01682/FUL - Land East of Bray Road, Four Elms Road, Edenbridge Kent TN8 6AD, it was in his ward and had previously considered the matter when it was discussed by Swanley Town Council, but remained open minded.

Councillor Raikes declared that for Minute 60 – 19/03106/LDCPR - 41 Bradbourne Park Road, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN13 3LJ, it was in his ward and had previously considered the matter when it was discussed by Sevenoaks Town Council, but remained open minded.

Councillor Reay declared that for Minute 59 – Objection to Tree Preservation Order (TPO) 13 of 2019 - The Laurels, Greenlands Road, Kemsing, TN15 6PH, it was in his ward, but remained open minded.

All Councillors declared that they had been lobbied in respect of Minute 62 -

19/02951/HYB White Oak Leisure Centre, Hilda May Avenue, Swanley Kent BR8 7BT.

Councillors Barnett, Cole, Coleman, Layland and Raikes had been lobbied in respect of Minute 64 – 19/02474/FUL Claydene Farm, Hartfield Road, Cowden Kent TN8 7HF.

Councillor Reay had been lobbied in respect of Minute 59 - Objection to Tree Preservation Order (TPO) 13 of 2019 - The Laurels, Greenlands Road, Kemsing, TN15 6PH.

With the agreement of the Committee, the Chairman brought forward consideration of the Tree Preservation Orders.

TPO 12 of 2019 has been served in response to 19/02554/WTCA to fell a pine tree within the Farningham Conservation Area.

The Arboricultural and Landscape Officer brought Members’ attention to the main agenda papers.  TPO 12 of 2019 has been served in response to 19/02554/WTCA to fell a pine tree within the Farningham Conservation Area. Two objections had been received however the issues raised could be dealt with by alternative means to removal and the report therefore sought to confirm the TPO without amendment.

Resolved:  That TPO 12 of 2019 be confirmed without amendment.

TPO 13 of 2019 has been served in response to a report of mature trees about to be felled.

The Arboricultural and Landscape Officer brought Members’ attention to the main agenda papers and late observations. TPO 13 of 2019 had been served in response to a report of mature trees about to be felled.  Following objections received the report sought to amend TPO 13 of 2019 to remove tree numbers 1,2 and 4 and that the remaining Oak (T3) be confirmed.

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

Members discussed visual amenity and other types of amenity such as ecological amenity and the ecological benefits of the trees.

Councillor Hunter moved an amendment to only remove tree number 1 and confirm tree numbers 2, 3 and 4.

The amendment was put to the vote and was won.

The substantive motion was then put to the vote and it was

Resolved:  That TPO 13 of 2019 be amended to remove tree number 1 and that the remaining trees 2, 3 and 4 be confirmed.

UNRESERVED PLANNING APPLICATIONS

There were no public speakers against the following items and no Member reserved the item for debate, therefore, in accordance with Part 7.3(e) of the constitution, the following matters were considered without debate:

Replacement windows and doors.

The proposal sought the Lawful Development Certificate for replacement windows and doors at 41 Bradbourne Park Road, Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 3LJ.   The application had been referred to Development Control Committee as the applicant was a member of staff.

Resolved: That the Lawful Development Certificate be granted for the following reason

‘The proposals would constitute permitted development as it conforms to Schedule 2, Part 1, Class A of the Town and Country General Permitted Development (England) Order 2015 as amended. Therefore, no planning application is required for these works.’

Details pursuant to condition 3 (external finishes) subject to 19/02078/HOUSE.

The proposal sought approval of details reserved by condition under planning permission 19/02078/HOUSE.  The application had been referred to Development Control Committee as the applicant was a member of staff at Sevenoaks District Council at the time the application was submitted.

Members’ attention was brought to the main agenda papers and late observation sheet which amended the recommendation.

Resolved: That the details are approved and condition 3 discharged.

RESERVED PLANNING APPLICATIONS

The Committee considered the following planning applications:

Hybrid application comprising, in outline: residential development of between 35 and 40 residential units - residential mix to be either 2 or 3 bed units with either integral or on-street parking. Units to be either 2 or 3 storey high. In detail: demolition of existing leisure centre building and erection of replacement leisure centre and associated car park.

The hybrid application sought: outline planning permission for the residential development of between 35 and 40 residential units - residential mix to be either 2 or 3 bed units with either integral or on-street parking - units to be either 2 or 3 storey high; and planning permission for the demolition of the existing leisure centre building and the erection of replacement leisure centre and associated car park.

The application had been referred to Development Control Committee because Sevenoaks District Council was the applicant.

Members’ attention was brought to the main agenda papers and late observations sheet which advised of further letters of representation and a statement from the applicant with an assessment of alternative provision for sports provision the site would no longer be able to accommodate and an amendment to condition 24.

The Committee was addressed by the following speakers:

Members asked questions of clarification from the speakers and officers which included whether certain clubs would be able to relocate or have to close; whether those clubs were local to the district or were external clubs displaced by their own areas losing such provision; what was demonstrably the better quality provision as quantity was not equivalent, and loss of open space.  Members were signposted to the relevant paragraphs of the report and the late observations.  The main clubs that would suffer were the ones that wanted deep water the loss of which was an economic viability consideration.  The late observations referred to the arrangements underway for alternative provision for other sports affected.  Proposed provision was not like for like but would be newer, enhanced and more up to date, with greater accessibility amongst other benefits, and the old facilities required replacement. With regard to Sport England’s objections Members were advised that alternative provisions could not be required under planning policies and that Sport England had not been re-consulted since the new information supplied in the late observations.  They were not a statutory consultee but their views should be considered along with all other bodies and individuals that were consulted.  When making a judgement on Policy SP10 it was not just a question of what could or could not be provided and the facilities were not like for like, however as set out in paragraph 96 the current facilities were unsustainable and therefore the policy would support the need for replacement. Thus with the current position as unsustainable and replacement required, it became a question of looking at the enhanced provision of what would be offered. With regard to access to the alternative Sports Hall provision, the Sevenoaks Sports Facility Strategy evidential base showed peak hours of use as 9-10am and 5-10pm, whilst information provided by the applicant was silent on the proposed times of use, the evidence would suggest that the peak evening hours would not interfere with school use.  An alternative plan was mentioned  ...  view the full minutes text for item 62.

At 9.10 p.m. the Chairman adjourned the Committee for the convenience of Members and Officers. The meeting resumed at 9.23 p.m.

A full planning application for a health and wellbeing centre on land to the south of Four Elms Road, Edenbridge, with appropriate car parking and landscaping.

The proposal sought planning permission for a health and wellbeing centre on land to the south of Four Elms Road, Edenbridge, with appropriate car parking and landscaping.  The application had been referred to Development Control Committee by the Chief Planning & Regulatory Services Officer due to the significance of the proposal as major development within the Green Belt.

Members’ attention was brought to the main agenda papers and late observation sheet which amended the recommendations and condition 23 as set out in the main agenda papers.

The Committee was addressed by the following speakers:

Members asked questions of clarification from the speakers.

It was moved by the Chairman and duly seconded that the recommendations within the report as amended by the late observations,be agreed.

Resolved: That

A)   provided the application was not recovered by the Secretary of State, that planning permission be granted subject to the completion of an acceptable legal agreement securing a financial contribution to monitor the travel plan and 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)     Prior to above ground works of the main medical building hereby permitted commences further details of the external materials/surfaces to be used in its construction have been submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority.  The development shall be carried out using the approved materials.

      To ensure that the appearance of the development is in harmony with the existing character of the area as supported by Policy EN1 of the Sevenoaks Allocations and Development Management Plan.

3)     Prior to the first occupation of the development hereby permitted, further details that shall include the use of external finishes and scaled 1:100 elevations of the storage buildings/enclosures shall have been submitted to and approved by the local planning authority.  The development shall accord with the approved details and maintained thereafter.

      To maintain the integrity and character of the development as supported by Policy EN1 of the Sevenoaks Allocations and Development Management Plan.

4)     The development hereby approved shall achieve a BREEAM minimum rating of 'Very Good' or alternative as agreed in writing by the local planning authority. Evidence shall be provided to the Local Authority in the following format and at the following times:

i)    Prior to the above ground works of the main medical building hereby permitted, a pre-assessment report (or design stage certificate with interim rating if available) indicating that the development will achieve a BREEAM minimum rating of 'Very Good' or alternative as agreed, shall be submitted to and agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority; and

ii)   Prior to first use of the development, a final post-construction certificate certifying that the development has achieved a BREEAM minimum rating of 'Very Good' or alternative as agreed, shall  ...  view the full minutes text for item 63.

Conversion of redundant agricultural Buildings to form 9 new residential units. Demolition of outbuildings. Landscaping works with new access and access alterations.

The proposal sought planning permission for conversion of redundant agricultural Buildings to form 9 new residential units; demolition of outbuildings; and landscaping works with new access and access alterations.  The application had been referred to Development Control Committee by Councillor Dickins so Members could assess the impact of the development on the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Members’ attention was brought to the main agenda papers.

The Committee was addressed by the following speakers:

Members asked questions of clarification from the officer. 

It was moved by the Chairman and duly seconded that the recommendations within the report, be agreed.

Members discussed the application and it was

          Resolved: That

A)     That planning permission be granted subject to the following conditions and a legal agreement to secure the contribution to affordable housing for either:

a)  An onsite policy compliant provision, or

b)  A payment in lieu of affordable housing for provision of affordable housing elsewhere, calculated in accordance with the Affordable Housing SPD 2011.

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)     Notwithstanding the provisions of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 (or any Order amending, revoking and re-enacting that Order) no enlargement, improvement or other alteration permitted by Class A, B, D or E of Part 1 of Schedule 2 of the 2015 Order (as amended), or any enclosure other than those approved shall be permitted by Class A of Part 2  of the 2015 Order (as amended) shall be carried out or made to the dwellings and development hereby approved without the grant further planning permission by the local planning authority.

      To prevent inappropriate development in the Green Belt as supported by GB7 of the Sevenoaks Allocations and Development Management Plan.

3)     No development shall take place until details of tree protection measures for all retained trees have been submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority. Development shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details and the approved protection measures retained throughout the course of the development.

      To prevent damage to the retained trees during the construction period of the dwelling as supported by Policy EN1 of the Sevenoaks Allocations and Development Management Plan.

4)     Prior to bringing the development hereby approved into first use details of a scheme to show the provision of electric vehicle charging points, including the proposed location, type and specifications shall be submitted to and approved by the Local Planning Authority. The charging point shall be installed in accordance with the approved details prior to first occupation of the development.

      To ensure the sustainability of the site in accordance with policy T3 of the Allocations and Development Management Plan.

5)     Prior to the installation of glazing on the residential dwellings,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 64.