To approve the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 30 January 2025, as a correct record.

Resolved: That the Minutes of the Development Management Committee held on the 30 January 2025 be signed and approved by the Chairman as a correct record.

Including any interests not already registered

Cllr Barnett declarted for Minute 57 – 24/02734/FUL - Land East Of 34 & 36 Wildernesse Mount, Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 3QS that the agent was a member of the local Conservative group that he was also a member of but he remained open minded.

Cllr Camp declared for Minute 57 - 24/02734/FUL - Land East Of 34 & 36 Wildernesse Mount, Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 3QS that she chaired the Town Council Planning Committee where the item was considered but remained open minded.

Cllr Granville declared for Minutes 57 - 24/02734/FUL - Land East Of 34 & 36 Wildernesse Mount, Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 3QS that she was a Member of the Town Council and attending the Planning Committee where the item was considered but remained open minded.

Cllr Purves declared for Minutes 57 – 24/02734/FUL - Land East Of 34 & 36 Wildernesse Mount, Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 3QS that she was a Ward Member but she remained open minded.

Cllr Shea declared for Minute 57 - 24/02734/FUL - Land East Of 34 & 36 Wildernesse Mount, Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 3QS that she was a Member of the Town Council and attending the Planning Committee where the item was considered but remained open minded.

Cllr Barnett declared he had been lobbied in respect of Minute 57 - 24/02734/FUL - Land East Of 34 & 36 Wildernesse Mount, Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 3QS.

The proposal sought planning permission for the erection of 2 detached dwellings with associated parking, ev chargers and landscaping.

The application had been referred to the Development Control Committee Councillor Clayton due to concerns that the Inspector's first reason for refusal still stood in terms of the impact on the character and appearance of the area.

Members attention was brought to the main agenda papers.

The Committee was addressed by the following speakers:

Members asked questions of clarification of the speakers with a focus on the ecology reports. The speaker confirmed it was a substantial report which highlighted the impact the development would have on biodiversity.

Questions of clarification were asked of the officers with a focus on the amended plans, the impact on biodiversity and permitted development rights. The Principal Planning Officer explained the current application had taken into account the previous harmful aspects of the development. A number of amendments had been made which had a large cumulative effect. The proposals also incorporated design features that were present on existing properties in the road whilst maintaining the plots individuality. The Applicant would also purchase habitat units from an offsite provider, which would replicate the removed habitat.

With regards to permitted development rights, the Principal Planning Officer advised against restricting the rights, noting the tests for the imposition of conditions. If the current application was approved, any further development of the plots would be assessed on its own merit.

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

Members discussed the proposal giving consideration to the reduced size and biodiversity measures. They noted the proposals incorporated similar features to other properties in the road and were inoffensive to the street scene. Members also discussed the increased front garden space, removal of the second access way and the purchase of habitat unit credits to offset the Biodiversity Net Gain.

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: 1684-PL-01, 02, 04A, 05A, 06A, 07, 08A, 09A, 10A.

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

3)   Prior to the development, hereby approved, reaching above damp-proof course, details and specifications of the external materials to be used in the construction of the dwellings shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The development shall be carried out in accordance with the approved material details.

To ensure that the appearance of the development is in harmony with the existing character of the area as supported by policies EN1 of the Sevenoaks Allocations and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 57.