To approve the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 30 November 2022, as a correct record.

Resolved: That the minutes of the meeting held on 30 November 2022 be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

Including any interests not already registered

Cllr Hogarth declared for Minute 49 - 22/02482/FUL - Lyndhurst Cottage , Holly Bush Lane, Sevenoaks Kent TN13 3UN and Minute 50 - 22/02482/FUL - Lyndhurst Cottage , Holly Bush Lane, Sevenoaks Kent TN13 3UN and Minute 51- 22/02608/MMA - Site Of , 60 Bethel Road, Sevenoaks Kent TN13 3UE that they were a Member of Sevenoaks Town Council.

Cllr Raikes declared for Minute 49 - 22/02482/FUL - Lyndhurst Cottage , Holly Bush Lane, Sevenoaks Kent TN13 3UN and Minute 50 - 22/02482/FUL - Lyndhurst Cottage , Holly Bush Lane, Sevenoaks Kent TN13 3UN and Minute 51- 22/02608/MMA - Site Of , 60 Bethel Road, Sevenoaks Kent TN13 3UE that they were a Member of Sevenoaks Town Council.

Cllr Purves declared for Minute 49 - 22/02482/FUL - Lyndhurst Cottage , Holly Bush Lane, Sevenoaks Kent TN13 3UN and Minute 22/02608/MMA - Site Of , 60 Bethel Road, Sevenoaks Kent TN13 3UE that they were the Ward Member.

Cllr Purves declared that she had been lobbied in respect of Minute 49 - 22/02482/FUL - Lyndhurst Cottage , Holly Bush Lane, Sevenoaks Kent TN13 3UN and Minute 50 - 22/02482/FUL - Lyndhurst Cottage , Holly Bush Lane, Sevenoaks Kent TN13 3UN and Minute 51- 22/02608/MMA - Site Of , 60 Bethel Road, Sevenoaks Kent TN13 3UE.

Cllr Williams declared that he had been lobbied in respect of Minute 49 - 22/02482/FUL - Lyndhurst Cottage , Holly Bush Lane, Sevenoaks Kent TN13 3UN.

Demolition of existing dwelling and replacement with 4 no. bedroom dwelling.

The proposal sought planning permission for demolition of existing dwelling and replacement with 4 no. bedroom dwelling. The application had been referred to the Committee by Councillor Purves and Councillor Clayton to consider whether the bulk, scale, form and design would fail to preserve the Conservation Area, in accordance with policies EN1 and EN4 of the Allocations and Development Management Plan.

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

The Committee was addressed by the following speakers:

Members asked questions of clarification from the speakers and officer.

It was clarified that the trees that would replace the two that would be removed would be semi-mature. The Juliette balcony would not lead to more overlooking compared with the full length window it replaced. The South elevation was stepped and had an angled window, and so would not be overbearing despite a window being removed. 

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

Members discussed the application. The Committee noted the Planning Inspector’s comments on and reasons for refusal for the previous application, and that the new design had addressed the concerns regarding the neighbour’s privacy. They further discussed sustainability, and the character of the road.

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 and details: RF77/15A, RF77/14, RF77/13A, RF77/12A, RF77/11, RF77/10A, RF77/09A, RF77/08A, RF77/07B, RF77/06A, RF77/05, RF77/04, RF77/03, RF77/02, RF77/01 and Undated Material Schedule.

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

3) Prior to the commencement of works to the external walls, specifications (including, where applicable, size, colour, texture, profile, finish, bonding and pointing) and samples of the external surface materials of the development hereby granted consent will 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 development respects the character and appearance of the area and sits comfortably within the context of the nearby locally listed buildings and the Conservation Area, to comply with policies EN1 and EN4 of the Allocations and Development Management Plan.

4) Prior to the commencement of works at roof level, specifications (including, where applicable, size, colour, texture, profile, finish, flashing and pointing) of the external roofing materials of the development hereby granted consent will be submitted and approved in writing by the local planning authority. The development shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details.

To ensure the development  ...  view the full minutes text for item 49.

Change of use from commercial offices to 3 new dwellings with rooflight. New roof level to create new storey and external alterations. Partial demolition. Associated works including hard and soft landscaping. Alterations to fenestration.

The proposal sought planning permission for a change of use from commercial offices to 3 new dwellings with rooflight, new roof level to create new storey and external alterations, partial demolition, associated works including hard and soft landscaping, and alterations to fenestration. The application had been referred to the Committee by Councillor Fleming on grounds of impact to neighbour amenity and parking.

Members’ attention was brought to the main agenda papers and late observation sheet which proposed an additional condition.

The Committee was addressed by the following speakers:

Members asked questions of clarification from the speakers and the officer.

It was clarified that the condition to obscure the first floor window included a requirement for it to be maintained, and that removing it would invite enforcement action. There would be a reduction in demand for street parking, as per Kent County Council guidelines, the offices required 8 parking spaces, and the proposed dwellings required 3. The location of the proposal meant that parking would not need to be provided on site.

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

Members discussed the application, giving consideration to parking, the height of the development, and the designs of the other houses in the area.

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 and details: 21-15 P01, P02A, P03A, P04A, P05, P06, P07A, P08A, P09, P10, P11A, P12A, and the Design and Access Statement.

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

3) No development shall be carried out on the land until samples of the materials to be used in the construction of the external surfaces of the development hereby permitted have been submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority. The development shall be carried out using the approved materials.  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.

To ensure that the appearance of the development enhances the character and appearance of the area as supported by Policy EN1 and EN4 of the Sevenoaks Allocations and Development Management Plan.

4) Notwithstanding drawing number P08 RevA, the first floor window in the south elevation of the development hereby permitted shall be glazed with obscure glass of no less than obscurity level 3 and permanently fixed shut, unless the parts of the window/s which can be opened are more than 1.7 metres above  ...  view the full minutes text for item 50.

Amendment to 18/00313/FUL.

The proposal was an Amendment to 18/00313/FUL. The application had been referred to the Committee by Councillor Clayton and Councillor Purves on grounds of impact on the conservation area and neighbour amenity.

Members’ attention was brought to the main agenda papers.

The Committee were addressed by the following speakers:

Members asked questions of clarification to the officers.

It was clarified that conditions could be applied to make the patio steps descended immediately and to obscure the overlooking dormer window, but that setting the dormer further back in the roof would require a separate application.

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

Members discussed the application, giving consideration to the loss of amenity to the neighbours at 62 Bethel Road, and the loss of the descending roof scape of the road.

The motion was put to the vote and it was lost.

It was moved and duly seconded that planning permission be refused on the grounds of design and height contrary to policies EN1 and EN4, and the loss of amenity for the neighbouring occupiers of 62 Bethel Road, contrary to policy EN2.

The motion was put to the vote and it was:

Resolved: That planning permission be refused for the following reasons:

1. The proposed amendment to 18/00313/FUL detrimentally impacts the character and design of the street scene and will result in a less than substantial harm to the character of the Hartslands Conservation Area, with no demonstrable public benefits to outweighed the harm. In addition to this, the incongruous design of the dormer window diminishes the quality of the approved proposal. The proposed amendment is therefore contrary to paragraphs 135 and 202 of the National Planning Policy Framework and policies EN1 and EN4 of the Sevenoaks Allocations and Development Management Plan.

2. The proposed amendment will result in a significant loss of amenity for the neighbouring occupiers of 62 Bethel Road. The proposed development is therefore contrary to the Sevenoaks Residential Extensions SPD, the National Model Design Code and policy EN2 of the Sevenoaks Allocations and Development Management Plan.