Resolved:       That the minutes of the meeting of the Development Control Committee held on 15 December 2011 be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

Cllr. Mrs. Dawson declared a personal interest in item 5.02 - SE/11/02684/FUL: Land to the Rear of Lynchets, Clarendon Road, Sevenoaks as she worked with a person who lived in close vicinity to the application site. She declared that this had not prejudiced her views.

Cllr. Brown declared a personal and prejudicial interest in item 5.02 - SE/11/02684/FUL: Land to the Rear of Lynchets, Clarendon Road, Sevenoaks as he had a close friend who lived in Clarendon Road. He left the room while the matter was debated and voted on.

Cllr. McGarvey declared a personal interest in item 5.05 - SE/11/01874/FUL:  The Red Barn, Stack Road, Horton Kirby, Dartford as he knew the applicant. He also clarified that the reasons given for referral to the Committee were the views of the Parish Council and not his own.

Cllr. Miss. Thornton declared that she intended to speak as the local Member on item 5.01 - SE/11/00282/FUL: The Oast House, Underriver, Sevenoaks. She left the room while the matter was debated and voted on.

All Members of the Committee except Cllrs. Brookbank, Davison and Williamson declared that they had been lobbied in respect of item 5.02 - SE/11/02684/FUL: Land to the Rear of Lynchets, Clarendon Road, Sevenoaks.

All Members of the Committee except Cllrs. Brookbank and Williamson further declared that they had been lobbied in respect of item 6.01 - Objection to TPO/14/2011: The Old Parsonage, 23 High Street, Otford.

Cllr. McGarvey declared that he had also been lobbied in respect of item 5.05 - SE/11/01874/FUL:  The Red Barn, Stack Road, Horton Kirby, Dartford.

The Chairman indicated that, with the approval of Members, she would deal first with the tree preservation orders at items 6.01 and 6.02 as the Officer concerned was not involved in any other matters on the agenda.

6.01 - Objection to TPO/14/2011: The Old Parsonage, 23 High Street, Otford

The Committee noted that the Order related to two Maple trees situated to the front of the property at The Old Parsonage. The order had been served following a notification request to fell the trees.

Members were advised that the tree was in need of reduction and that pruning would minimise future root growth. The Officer believed the loss of the trees would have a negative impact on the amenity of the local area as they were in quite an important location.

            Resolved:       That the Tree Preservation Order No. 14 of 2011 be confirmed without amendments.

6.02 - Objection to TPO/16/2011: 39 Wickenden Road, Sevenoaks

The Committee noted that the Order related to an oak tree situated at 39 Wickenden Road, Sevenoaks.

The order was served following a written request that the tree be protected. Fairly severe pruning had previously been carried out on one side of the tree and the Officer believed that further pruning, which would harm the tree, or its removal would have a negative affect on the amenity that the tree offered to the local area. The order was served to afford the tree continued protection as it was situated outside of a Conservation Area.

Resolved:       That the Tree Preservation Order No. 15 of 2011 be confirmed without amendments.

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:

5.03 - SE/11/02379/FUL:  1 Harrison Way, Sevenoaks TN13 3LF

The Chairman brought Members’ attention 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 development shall be those indicated on the approved plan as detailed on the application form.

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:  Site Plan, Block Plan, Drawing Nos. 20943.003 and 20943.004, received 06.10.11.

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

The Committee considered the following planning applications:

5.01 - SE/11/00282/FUL:  The Oast House, Underriver, Sevenoaks TN15 0SB

The proposal was for the retention of a concrete pad which Officers clarified measured 7.2m x 5.4m and a timber field shelter which measured 7.2m x 3.2m with a ridge height of 3.1m.

Officers considered that the concrete pad proposed constituted appropriate development in the Green Belt and would not have a detrimental impact on either the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty or on the amenity of neighbouring properties.

The Committee was addressed by the following speakers:

            Against the Application:       -

            For the Application:              -

            Parish Representative:         -

            Local Member:                      Cllr. Miss. Thornton

In response to a question Officers confirmed the structure had 2 compartments and would be suitable for 2 rather than 3 horses. Officers also confirmed this could be controlled by condition if necessary.

A Member noted a concern of the Local Member that there was no screening of the shelter to the north and wondered whether this could be amended.

Members enquired whether the structure was more similar to a stable block than a field shelter. Officers believed there was no distinction in planning terms but that field shelters tended to be more open and moveable. Officers had not presumed the structure would be moved around and had assessed the application as being more akin to a stable block than field shelter. If permission were tied to the plans submitted then the Committee could be more certain about what was proposed.

It was MOVED by the Vice-Chairman and was duly seconded that the recommendation in the report be adopted subject to additional conditions that the permission be tied to the plans submitted, that it be used for the stabling of 2 horses within the compartments and that landscaping be added to the north of the structure. The motion was put to the vote it was unanimously –

Resolved:       That planning permission be GRANTED subject the imposition of the following conditions:

1. The development shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved plans: block plan received on the 5 April 2011, site plan dated 8 September 2011 and drawing KL_0550_001.

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

2.  The hereby approved building shall only for the stabling of two horses, within the bays as detailed on drawing KL_0550_001.

Reason: In the interests of the openness of the Green Belt.

3. Within 3 months of the date of this permission, the applicant shall submit a detailed landscaping scheme of native hedging to screen the building from public vantage points.  The submitted details should specify the species and size of hedging proposed.   The approved landscaping scheme shall be implemented within 9 months of the date of this planning permission.

Reason: To safeguard the visual appearance of the area as supported by EN1 of the Sevenoaks District Local Plan.

5.02 - SE/11/02684/FUL: Land to the Rear of Lynchets, Clarendon Road, Sevenoaks  ...  view the full minutes text for item 61.