To approve the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 27 March 2014, as a correct record.

Resolved:  That the minutes of the Development Control Committee held on 27 March 2014 be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

Including any interests not already registered

Councillor. McGarvey declared an interest in SE/13/03718/FUL – Land West of Dairy House, Shoreham that he was an employee of the business users landscaping services.

Councillor Miss. Thornton declared that she had been lobbied in respect of Minute 131, SE/13/03131/FUL – The London Hire Stadium, Lower Road, Hextable BR8 7RZ. 

The Committee considered the following planning applications:

Installation of fencing to include 3 no. gates to the perimeter of the site. Installation of 2 no.100 seated spectator stands. Installation of 1 no. covered standing terrace. Installation of pitch floodlighting sourced by 6 no. 14m high pylons. Alteration to existing car park to allow for additional car parking spaces.

The proposal sought permission of the installation of fencing to include 3 no. gates to the perimeter of the site.  Installation of 2 no.100 seated spectator stands.  Installation of pitch floodlighting sourced by 6 no. 14m high pylons.  Alteration to existing car park to allow for additional car parking spaces.  The application had been referred to Committee at the request of Councillor Mrs. Morris for consideration of the impact of the proposed development on the openness of the Green Belt. 

Members’ attention was brought to the Late Observation Sheet and an update which had since been received from the Planning Inspector to the emerging  Allocations and Development Management Plan which advised that policy EN6 was now to be given moderate weight but this did not change the Officer’s recommendation on the application.  It was noted that a Members’ Site Inspection had been held for this application.

The Committee was address by the following speakers:

Against the application:     -

For the application:            Mr. John Ball

Parish Representative:       -

Local Member:                    Cllr. Mrs Morris

Members asked questions of clarification from the Speakers and Officers.  Officers clarified that if the Floodlights were reduced to four, it would be a material change and new plans would need to be submitted.  The current floodlights were lawful as there was no planning history for when they were originally put in.  It was confirmed that the flood lights would only be used for league and cup games by the first team and the reserves. 

It was moved by the Chairman and duly seconded that the recommendation in the report to refuse permission, be agreed.

Members discussed the material of the fencing. It would need to be secure to protect the ground but not be obtrusive within the Green belt.  The palisade fencing could be more secure than the welded mesh fence as the mesh could be cut, however the palisade fencing could also urbanise the area.  Concerns were raised over the visual appearance of the proposed car park and the material to be used.  Members discussed that the site could have a positive impact in the community and provide a place for the youth in Hextable.  It was also raised by a Member that the site could be one of the exceptions under paragraph 89 of the National Planning Policy Framework.

The motion was put to the vote and was lost. 

Officers were invited to indicate appropriate conditions for the development if approved.  These were presented to the Committee. 

The Development Control Team Leader confirmed that the material of the fencing did not have to be agreed at the meeting and further details could be submitted.  Car parking could also be a condition to be agreed.  Members confirmed that a decision on the fencing would not be made. 

The motion was put to the vote and was

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

            Informative

1)        That the car park surface materials be permeable so as not to cause too much run off.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 130.

Demolition of an outbuilding within the curtilage of Dairy House, subdivision of the plot and the erection of a four bedroom dwelling with two parking spaces. As amended by revised Location Plan received 13/2/2014.

The application sought permission for the demolition of an outbuilding within the curtilage of Diary House, subdivision of the plot and the erection of a four bedroom dwelling with two parking spaces.  As amended by revised Location Plan received 13/2/2014.  The application had been referred to Committee by Councillor Ms. Lowe due to concerns about the function, design and location of the proposed development and the absence of any very special circumstances. 

Members’ attention was brought to the late observation sheet which included an additional condition of provision of Electrical Vehicle Charging Points.

The Committee was addressed by the following speakers:

Against the Application:          -

For the Application:                  Mr. Andrew Montgomerie

Parish Representative:                        Noel Wills

Local Member:                          Cllr. Ms Lowe

Members asked questions of clarification from the Speakers and Officers.  Officers clarified that if there were less harm to the Green Belt it then meant that less very special circumstances would then usually be required to overcome that harm. 

It was moved by the Chairman and duly seconded that the recommendation in the report to grant planning permission subject to conditions be agreed.

Members expressed concerns over the harm to the Green Belt and that it could urbanise the Green Belt.  Concerns were also raised over the lack of special circumstances that the building was a new build, and that it could set a precedent in the District.  Members also expressed concerns at the increased size of the building and that the house would be a new build.  It was clarified by the Legal representative that the barn was currently equivalent to any outbuilding at a domestic premises and that a change of use was required for it to be a dwelling it its own right.

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

It was moved by Cllr. Mrs. Davison and duly seconded that the planning permission be refused on the ground that the site lays within the Metropolitan Green Belt where strict policies of restraint applied.  It would be harmful to its openness and the special circumstances put forward were not sufficient. 

The motion was put to the vote and it was:

Resolved:  that planning permission be REFUSED for the following reasons:

The land lies within the Metropolitan Green Belt where strict policies of restraint apply. The proposed dwelling would be inappropriate development harmful to the maintenance of the character of the Green Belt and to its openness and would not conserve or enhance the character and appearance of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The Council does not consider that the special circumstances put forward in this case are sufficient to justify development that would be contrary to the National Planning Policy Framework, policies SP1 and L08 of the Core Strategy (2011) and policy EN1 of the Sevenoaks District Local Plan (2008) and Policies EN1  and GB9 of the Allocations and Development Management Plan (Draft for Submission) November 2013.