Resolved:       That the minutes of the meeting of the Development Control Committee held on 19 January 2012 be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

Cllr. Dickins declared that he intended to speak as the local Member on item 5.01 - SE/11/03008/OUT:  48 The Moor Road, Sevenoaks. He did not take part in the debate or votes on the item.

Cllr. Piper declared personal interests in items 5.01 - SE/11/03008/OUT:  48 The Moor Road, Sevenoaks, 5.02 - SE/11/02864/FUL: Denada, Solefields Road, Sevenoaks, 5.03 - SE/11/02774/FUL: 46 South Park, Sevenoaks and 5.06 - SE/11/03229/FUL: Sevenoaks District Council, Council Offices, Argyle Road as a dual hatted member of both the District Council and Sevenoaks Town Council, which had already expressed views on the matters.

Cllr. Davison declared a personal interest in 5.05 - SE/11/02650/VAR106: Graceful Gardens Ltd, Hever Lane, Hever.as the local Member.

Cllr. Scholey declared a personal interest in item 5.05 - SE/11/02650/VAR106: Graceful Gardens Ltd, Hever Lane, Hever.as a dual hatted member of both the District Council and Edenbridge Town Council, which had already expressed views on the matters.

All Members declared a personal interest in item 5.06 - SE/11/03229/FUL:  Sevenoaks District Council, Council Offices, Argyle Road as Members of the Council.

Cllr. Dickins declared that he had been lobbied in respect of item 5.01 - SE/11/03008/OUT:  48 The Moor Road, Sevenoaks.

All Members of the Committee except Cllrs. Gaywood, Brookbank and Cooke declared that they had been lobbied in respect of item 5.02 - SE/11/02864/FUL: Denada, Solefields Road, Sevenoaks.

The Chairman declared that he had been lobbied in respect of item 5.04 - SE/11/02698/FUL: High Will Hays, Main Road, Knockholt.

The Chairman ruled that additional information received since the despatch of the agenda be considered at the meeting as a matter of urgency by reason of the special circumstances that decisions were required to be made without undue delay and on the basis of the most up?to?date information available.

There were no public speakers against the following item and no Member reserved the item for debate. Therefore, in accordance with Part 7 3.5(e) of the constitution, the following matter was considered without debate:

5.06 - SE/11/03229/FUL:  Sevenoaks District Council, Council Offices, Argyle Road

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

It was MOVED and was duly seconded that the recommendation in the report be adopted.

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 materials to be used in the construction of the external surfaces of the development hereby permitted shall match those used on the existing building.

To ensure that the appearance of the development is in harmony with the existing character of the building as supported by Policy EN1 of the Sevenoaks District Local Plan.

3)         The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved plans: 1001/037/01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10.

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

The Committee considered the following planning applications:

5.01 - SE/11/03008/OUT:  48 The Moor Road, Sevenoaks  TN14 5ED

The proposal sought outline approval for the erection of an end of terrace property. Details included in the application were access, appearance, layout and scale. Landscaping was the only reserved matter.

Officers considered that the principle of development was acceptable. The proposed house would also preserve the character and appearance of the street scene, as it was similar in design, height, depth and width to the existing terrace. It preserved neighbouring amenity and highways safety. It provided sufficient off-street parking and a suitable financial contribution towards affordable housing. Even though it would be carried out on a greenfield site there was a significant amount of weight in favour of the development and therefore was acceptable.

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

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:       Ian Hart

            For the Application:              -

            Parish Representative:         Cllr. Baker

            Local Member:                      Cllr. Dickins

Officers believed that the application would result in a gain of 2 off-road parking spaces, disregarding the existing garage, and the loss of 2 informal on-road spaces due to the need for access to the off road spaces. Current parking on the street was uncontrolled and informal. The applicants had no obligation to other residents on the street.

Members considered that Kent Highways may not be aware of how problematic the parking could become and they commented that the situation would be exacerbated if there were more residents in the street. There were already difficulties for emergency and refuse vehicles in turning at the end. Officers reminded Members that the proposal provided off street parking for both the existing and proposed dwelling in a road where most properties had no off-street parking..

Members considered that the current occupant of no.48 could suffer an unacceptable loss of amenity. The proposed, retained garden was unacceptably small and smaller than others in the area, including other dwellings in the same terrace further north. There would also be a reduction in sunlight to that amenity area. Together these had a cumulatively unacceptable impact on amenity.

Members also expressed concern at the impact of the dwelling on the street scene.  They considered that adding an additional dwelling to the end of the terrace would extend and unbalance the terrace to the detriment of the street scene which was characterised in this area by a series of terraces each of six units. 

It was noted the s.106 agreement for affordable housing had not yet been completed and that without the agreement being signed there was no mechanism in place to secure the contribution required under Core Strategy Policy SP3.

It was MOVED and duly seconded that the recommendation in the report, as amended by the Late Observations Sheet, be adopted. The motion was put to the vote and there voted –

6 votes in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 67.