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

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

Including any interests not already registered

Cllr. Edwards - Winser declared that he was a Member of Otford Parish Council for minute item 86, SE/14/02966/HOUSE – The Oast House, Shoreham Road, Otford, TN14 5RL but clarified that he would keep an open mind on the matter.

Cllr. Mrs. Parkin declared that she was a Member of Fawkham Parish Council and the Local Member for minute item 84, SE/14/02630/FUL – 1 & 2 Cross Cottages, Valley Road, Fawkham DA3 8LX.

Cllr. Mrs Parkin declared that the in respect of minute item 84 – SE/14/02630/FUL – 1 & 2 Cross Cottages, Valley Road, Fawkham DA 3 8LX the applicant had been to her property and enquired to the proceedings of the meeting.

There were no public speakers against the following items and no Member reserved the item for debate. Therefore, in accordance with Part 7.3(e) of the constitution, the following matter was considered without debate:

Demolition of existing garage to facilitate erection of a 2 storey end of terrace 2 bedroom dwelling with ancillary parking.

The proposal was for the demolition of existing garage to facilitate erection of a 2 storey end of terrace 2 bedroom dwelling with ancillary parking.

The application was referred to Committee at the request of Cllr. Mrs. Ayres so that the impact of the proposed development on the street scene and amenity could be considered.

Resolved: That planning 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: 3842-PD-12 and 3842-PD-12

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

3)    The development hereby approved shall achieve a minimum of Code for Sustainable Homes Level 3. Evidence shall be provided to the Local Planning Authority:

i) Prior to the commencement of development, of how it is intended the development will  achieve a minimum of Code for Sustainable Homes Level 3 or alternative as agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority; and
ii) Prior to the first occupation of the development, that the development has achieved a minimum of Code for Sustainable Homes Level 3 or alternative as agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

In the interests of environmental sustainability and reducing the risk of climate change in accordance with policy SP2 of the Core Strategy (2011).

4)      A landscaping scheme shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority prior to any superstructure works commencing on site. The landscaping scheme shall include the following details:
a)soft plantings, including trees, grass and turf areas, shrub and herbaceous areas; their location, species (use of native species where possible) and size;
b) enclosures: including types, dimensions and treatments of walls, fences, pedestrian and vehicular gates, screen walls, barriers, rails, retaining walls and location, species and size of hedges;
c) hard landscaping: including ground surfaces, kerbs, edges, ridge and flexible pavings, unit paving, steps and if applicable synthetic surfaces; and
d) any other landscaping feature(s) forming part of the scheme. 
All landscaping in accordance with the approved scheme shall be completed / planted during the first planting season following practical completion of the development hereby approved. The landscaping and tree planting shall have a two year maintenance / watering provision following planting and any existing tree shown to be retained or trees or shrubs to be planted as part of the approved landscaping scheme which are removed, die, become severely damaged or diseased within five years of completion of the development shall be replaced with the same species or an approved alternative to the satisfaction of the Local Planning Authority within the next planting season.

The development shall be carried out strictly in accordance with the details so approved and shall be maintained as such thereafter. To preserve and enhance the visual appearance of the area  ...  view the full minutes text for item 82.

The Committee considered the following planning applications:

Outline application for Erection of 5 x 4 Bedroom Terraced Houses and 2 x 3 Bedroom semi detached houses with associated access and parking on former Dairy Crest Milk depot & Devonia, residential dwelling site with some matters reserved

The proposal was for the erection of 5 x 4 Bedroom Terraced Houses and 2 x 3 Bedroom semi detached houses with associated access and parking on former Dairy Crest Milk depot and Devonia, residential dwelling site with some matters reserved.

The application was referred to the Committee by Cllr. Mrs. Davison on the grounds of design and dangerous access and by Cllr. Scholey on the grounds of inadequate parking, conflict between the site access and cars parked on Hillcrest Road, and the undesirable and unneighbourly impact on the position of the site access.

Members’ attention was brought to the main agenda papers and the late observation sheet which proposed an additional condition.

The Committee was addressed by the following speakers:

Against the Application:       -

For the Application:              James Cladwell

Parish Representative:         -

Local Member:                      Cllr. Scholey

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

It was noted that there was minimal lighting impact on the bungalow. Some Members expressed concern at there being unallocated parking and it was discussed whether additional conditions could be included to control this so that each property would have two spaces allocated. Members also discussed the access to the site and whether there would be a significant increase in vehicle users, and whether additional conditions could be added to ensure the proposed layout was adhered to. 

The motion was put to the vote and it was

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

1)      Details relating to the scale and appearance of the proposed building(s) and the landscaping of the site (hereinafter called the "reserved matters") shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority before any development is commenced.

In Pursuance of section 92(2) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

2)      The development to which this permission relates must be begun before:        

 - The expiration of three years from the date of this permission; or   -The expiration of two years from the final approval of the reserved matters whichever is the later.

In Pursuance of section 92(2) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

3)      Application for approval of the reserved matters shall be made to the District Planning Authority before the expiration of three years from the date of this permission.

In Pursuance of section 92(2) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

4)      The reserved matters shall incorporate an eaves height and ridge height for the proposed dwellings to be no higher than shown on the indicative elevation drawings submitted with this application (numbered 914:1010/PL105 and 914:1010/PL/204).

To protect the character and appearance of the locality, and the amenities of neighbouring properties, as supported by Policies EN1 of the Sevenoaks District Local Plan, SP1 of the Sevenoaks Core Strategy, and EN1 and EN2 of the emerging Sevenoaks Allocations and Development Management Plan.

5)      No development shall be carried out on the land  ...  view the full minutes text for item 83.

Demolition of existing dwellings and outbuildings, erection of two replacement dwellings, change of use of part of site to be incorporated as residential curtilage and creation of vehicular access on to Valley Road.

The application was for the demolition of existing dwellings and outbuildings, erection of two replacement dwellings, change of use of part of site to be incorporated as residential curtilage and creation of vehicular access onto Valley Road.

The application had been referred to Committee at the request of Cllr. Parkin on the unusual history of the site and the need to redevelop it.

Members’ attention was brought to the main agenda papers and the late observation sheet which did not propose any amendments or changes to the recommendation before the Committee. 

The Committee was addressed by the following speakers:

Against the Application:       -

For the Application:              Martin Hunt

Parish Representative:         Lawrence Moss

Local Member:                      -

Members asked questions of clarification from the Speakers and Officers.

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

Members discussed whether the proposal would amount to encroachment on the Green Belt and whether the very special circumstances of the site were sufficient for development.  The Planning Manager advised Members that the only brownfield land on the application site was the existing house and curtilage where plot 1 was proposed to be sited but the site of plot 2 was a greenfield site. Some Members thought that the proposal was an improvement and enhanced the site and that it was a necessary development.

The motion to refuse planning permission was put to the vote and it was lost

It was moved and duly seconded that planning permission be granted on the grounds that the history of a murder and suicides in the existing building, together with the potential of permitted development extensions and the improvement to openness due to the removal of existing structures constituted very special circumstances sufficient to outweigh the presumption against inappropriate development in the Green Belt. Conditions should include that permitted development rights on the site were removed and the submission of ecological details.

The motion was put to the vote and it was

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: P.11.2318, P.12.2318, P.13.2318, P.14.2318, P.15.2318, P.16.2318, P.17.2318, P.18.2318, Design and Access Statement.

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

 3)     Details of any external lighting shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Council before the first occupation of the development. Despite any development order, outside lighting shall only be provided in accordance with the approved details.

To mitigate the impact of development on nature conservation and to preserve the visual appearance of the area as supported by policies EN1 and EN17B; of the Sevenoaks District Local Plan.

 4)     Notwithstanding the provisions of the Town and Country Planning  ...  view the full minutes text for item 84.

The Proposed installation of 16 free standing solar panels and A Frames.

The application was for was installation of 16 free standing solar panels and A Frames.

The application was referred to by committee by Cllrs. Bosley and Mrs. Bosley to consider the acceptability of the proposal in the Green Belt.

The Committee was addressed by the following speakers:

Members’ attention was brought to the main agenda papers and the late observation sheet which did not propose any amendments or changes to the recommendation before the Committee. 

Against the Application:       -

For the Application:              -

Parish Representative:         - 

Local Member:                      Cllr. Mrs. Bosley

Members asked questions of Clarification from the Speaker and Officers.

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

Members discussed whether the proposal would amount to inappropriate development in the Green Belt and whether there were sufficient very special circumstances. Members discussed whether the location of the solar panels outside the curtilage of the dwelling was justified

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

It was moved and duly seconded that planning permission be refused as the proposal would constitute inappropriate development within the Green Belt and there were insufficient very special circumstances to outweigh the presumption against development.

The motion was put to the vote and it was

Resolved: That planning permission be refused for the following reason

The proposal constitutes inappropriate development in the Green Belt for which there are no 'very special circumstances' to clearly outweigh the harm in principle and the harm caused to the openness of the Green Belt. The development is therefore not in accordance with paragraphs 79, 89 and 91 of the National Planning Policy Framework.

Erection of a two storey side and rear extension.

The proposal was for the erection of a two storey side and rear extension. The application had been referred to committee by Cllr. Lowe who considered the proposal incorporated an acceptable design with limited additional bulk and materials which were in keeping with the existing property.

Members’ attention was brought to the main agenda papers.

The committee was addressed by the following Speakers:

Against the Application:       -

For the Application:              Carmen Austin

Parish Representative:         Martin Whitehead

Local Member:                      Cllr. Ms. Lowe

Members asked questions of clarification from the Speakers and Officers.

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

Members considered whether the proposed development would have a detrimental impact upon the street scene and acknowledged the other property designs in the surrounding areas. Members noted the comments made by Otford Parish Council who were in support of the application.

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

It was moved and duly seconded that planning permission be granted as the extension was in keeping with the existing property and would not be harmful to the street scene. It was also in keeping with the Otford Village design statement.

The motion was put to the vote and it was

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 103, 105, 201, 202,.

To ensure that the appearance of the development is in harmony with the existing character of the  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: 101, 102, 103, 105, 201, 202,

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