Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 16 February 2012.

Resolved:       That the minutes of the meeting of the Development Control Committee held on 16 February 2012 be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

Cllrs. Mrs Dawson and Piper declared personal interests in item 5.01 - SE/12/00024/FUL: Amity, Clenches Farm Lane, Sevenoaks  TN13 2LX as dual hatted members of both the District Council and Sevenoaks Town Council, which had already expressed views on the matter.

Cllr. Miss. Thornton declared a personal interest in items 5.04 – SE/11/01735/FUL: Kentish Yeoman, The Kentish Yeoman, 10-12 High Street Seal and 5.05 - SE/11/03105/LBCALT: Kentish Yeoman, The Kentish Yeoman, 10-12 High Street Seal  as the Local Member. She confirmed she would reserve her right to speak until the debate.

Cllr. Miss. Thornton declared she had general discussions with the applicant for items 5.04 – SE/11/01735/FUL: Kentish Yeoman, The Kentish Yeoman, 10-12 High Street Seal and 5.05 - SE/11/03105/LBCALT: Kentish Yeoman, The Kentish Yeoman, 10-12 High Street Seal.

The Committee considered the following planning applications:

Demolition of existing dwelling, and erection of replacement dwelling, with detached double garage, with room above.

The proposal was for the demolition of the existing property and detached garage and to replace it with a two storey (with further accommodation in the roof space), seven bedroom property. A detached garage was proposed to replace the existing detached garage sited in the south eastern corner of the plot.

The proposed dwelling was 3.3m taller than the current structure but there was significant boundary screening.

Officers considered that, on balance, the proposed replacement dwelling would not detract from the character and appearance of the street scene, or have a detrimental impact upon the amenities of the neighbouring properties. Any potentially significant impact on the amenities of nearby dwellings could be satisfactorily mitigated by way of conditions.

The Committee was addressed by the following speakers:

Against the Application:      Angus MacAskill

For the Application:              Fred Robinson

Parish Representative:        -

Local Member:                     Cllr. Mrs. Hunter

In response to questions Officers confirmed the proposal would create a density of between 6 and 7 houses per hectare. The floor levels of the proposed dwelling would be 3m below those of the neighbouring property, Martlets. It would be 31m from Martlets at its nearest point, 35m from the 1^st floor and 37m from the dormer window.

Noting the comments of the neighbour, some Members proposed that, if approved, a condition should be added to protect the roots of the boundary hedge during construction.

Members were concerned that the proposal would be overbearing as it was a small site for the area. The proposed building was considerably taller than the existing bungalow and would cause a significant loss of privacy to neighbours. It would have a significant impact on the outlook and perspective of Martlets, particularly as there could be 5 visible windows.

It was MOVED by the Vice-Chairman and was duly seconded that the recommendation in the report to grant permission subject to conditions be adopted together with an additional condition to protect the roots of the boundary hedge during construction. The motion was put to the vote and there voted –

4 votes in favour of the motion

10 votes against the motion

The Chairman declared the motion to be LOST.

It was then MOVED by the Vice-Chairman and duly seconded:

            “That planning permission be REFUSED for the following reason:

The proposal due to its height, scale and bulk would be inappropriate development for this site to the detriment of the local area. The height and scale of the proposal results in an overbearing impact on the residential amenities of neighbouring property Martlets. As such the proposal is contrary to saved policy EN1 of the Sevenoaks District Local Plan 2000.”

The motion was put to the vote and there voted –

            10 votes in favour of the motion

            4 votes against the motion

Resolved:       That planning permission be REFUSED for the following reason:

The proposal due to its height, scale and bulk would be inappropriate development for this site to the detriment of the local area. The  ...  view the full minutes text for item 72.

Enlargement of existing window to front of building.

Members were informed that this item had been WITHDRAWN from the agenda.

Enlargement of existing window to front of building.

Members were informed that this item had been WITHDRAWN from the agenda.

Conversion of existing public house into one 4 bedroom and one 3 bedroom dwelling.

It was noted that a Members’ Site Inspection had been held for this application.

The proposal was for approval of the conversion of the existing public house into one 4 bedroom and one 3 bedroom dwelling, the conversion of the detached summer house into a two bedroom dwelling, the construction of two new dwellings to incorporate one 4 bedroom, and one 3 bedroom unit adjacent to the public house building, together with associated parking facilities.

Neighbouring properties were Grade II listed and it was noted that design features of the proposed new dwellings drew design elements from other buildings in the Conservation Area.

Officers considered that the proposed development would be acceptable in principle and would not have a significant impact on the Listed Buildings, the Conservation Area, street scene, neighbouring amenity, the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty or highways safety. It would provide sufficient off-street parking and a provision for off-site affordable housing. Although the proposal would be deemed inappropriate development in the Green Belt, very special circumstances outweighed the harm from the proposal. An outbuilding would be removed form the rear of the site which was similar in floorspace to the extensions to the public house and summer house.

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

The Committee was addressed by the following speakers:

Against the Application:       -

For the Application:               Jamie Brady

Parish Representative:         -

Local Member:                      Cllr. Hogarth

Officers confirmed that Policy LO7 resisted loss of local services where possible but there was an exception when the services were no longer financially viable. The pub had been shut for more than a year and had closed 4 times in 10 years. The applicant had made significant investment but the business was unsustainable. Some Members of the Committee believed the site could still be viable for other different services.

The local Member on the Committee welcomed the amended condition in the Late Observation Sheet regarding parking provision. Members proposed a further, clarifying amendment so condition 8 referred to accessible parking “for no fewer than” 11 vehicles.

The Committee was concerned by access to the properties by road. They proposed that fencing be approved by the Council to ensure it was not so high as to obscure vehicle visibility. Additionally they proposed appropriate signs be added inside the development to discourage reversing onto the High Street.

It was MOVED by the Vice-Chairman and was duly seconded that the recommendation in the report to grant permission subject to conditions and subject to completion of a section 106 obligation be adopted. This was subject to the amendments for “no fewer than” 11 vehicles in condition 8, the amendments in the Late Observations Sheet and the additional conditions about fencing and signs. The motion was put to the vote and there voted –

10 votes in favour of the motion

4 votes against the motion

Resolved:      

RECOMMENDATION A:    That subject to the receipt of a signed and valid S106 Obligation to secure the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 75.

Conversion of existing public house into one 4 bedroom and one 3 bedroom dwelling.

The proposal was for listed building consent approval of the conversion and division of the existing public house into one 4 bedroom and one 3 bedroom dwelling and the conversion of the detached summer house into a two bedroom dwelling.

Officers considered that the proposed development would not significantly impact the Listed Buildings. Consequently the proposal was in accordance with the development plan.

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:    -

For the Application:            -

Parish Representative:      -

Local Member:                   Cllr. Hogarth

Officers clarified that there was not an absolute prohibition on works on listed buildings. Approval could be given after assessing the quality of the existing building against the proposals. Therefore the Conservation Officer was content with the modern outbuilding store being removed. All existing windows would be retained and refurbished.

It was MOVED by the Vice-Chairman and was duly seconded that the recommendation in the report to grant listed building consent subject to conditions be adopted. The motion was put to the vote and there voted –

12 votes in favour of the motion

3 votes against the motion

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

1)         The works to which this consent relates shall begin before the expiration of three years from the date of this consent.

In pursuance of section 18 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990.

2)         No works shall take place until samples of the materials to be used in the construction of the external surfaces of the development hereby granted consent have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Council. The works shall be carried out using the approved materials.

To maintain the integrity, character and settings of the Listed Buildings as supported by Planning Policy Statement 5: Planning for the Historic Environment.

3)         The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved plans: 3656-PD-02 Revision C, 05 Revision A, 06 Revision B, 07 Revision C and 3656-04 Revision A.

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