To approve the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 30 July 2015, as a correct record.

Resolved: That the minutes of the Development Control Committee held on 30 July 2015 be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

Including any interests not already registered

There were no declarations of interest or predetermination.

There were no declarations of lobbying.

Erection of a single storey extension.

This item had been withdrawn prior to the meeting as the applicant had withdrawn their planning application.

In accordance with Section 100B (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the Chairman advised the Committee he had agreed to accept two items as a matter of urgency.  Application SE/15/00216/OUT - Meeting Point Day Centre Rural Age Concern, 27-37 High Street, Swanley BR8 8AE needed to be considered at the present meeting as on 28 May 2015 the Development Control Committee resolved that planning permission be granted subject to conditions and subject to the completion of a S106 Agreement making provision for affordable housing within 3 months of the date of the meeting, else permission was to be refused. The resolution was to expire on 28 August 2015 and so the decision had to be taken at the meeting as it would have expired by the time of the next meeting. The report had only just been prepared in light of advice received from the Legal Services Team. This item was considered at Minute item 39.

Objection To Tree Preservation Order Number 04 of 2015 Located At Land to the South of Wells Place, Westerham, Kent needed to be considered for confirmation by the Development Control Committee and the report could not have been prepared sooner as consideration was being given to the objection and any alternative options. Whilst the deadline for the consideration of the TPO would have allowed for a report to the September Development Control Committee meeting (and no later), it was not practicable for the Arboricultural Officers to attend this later meeting and their specialist advice would be needed to assist Members in their decision making. This item was considered at Minute item 37.

With the Committee’s agreement the Chairman proposed to bring forward agenda item 5.1.

Reason for urgency: this TPO needs to be considered for confirmation by the Development Control Committee and the present meeting is the best practicable meeting for it to be considered. The report could not have been prepared sooner as consideration was being given to the objection and any alternative options. Whilst the deadline for the consideration of the TPO would have allowed for a report to the September Development Control Committee meeting (and no later), it was not practicable for the Arboricultural Officers to attend this later meeting, and their specialist advice would be needed to assist Members in their decision making.

The Tree Preservation Order related to several trees situated to the south of Wells Place, Westerham. The Arboricultural and Landscape Officer clarified that the map in the report referred to the road, incorrectly, as Wells Close.

The Arboricultural and Landscape Officer advised that the Order had been served following a notification to remove the trees. The trees were situated in a prominent location and could be seen from a public footpath situated to the rear of Wells Place. They also provided an effective screen between these properties and the footpath. Their removal would open the land and lead to urbanisation, having a negative impact on the amenity of the local area.

An objection to the serving of the TPO has been received from a nearby resident on the grounds including that T1 the trees could only be seen by the residents of Wells Place. The Officer considered them visible from the public footpath. He also noted the parcel of land between the footpath and Wells Place had been subdivided and sold to neighbours.

In response to a question, the Officer advised that the Town Council expressed support for the order but he did not have information relating to the local ward Members.

Resolved: That the tree preservation order No. 04 of 2015 be confirmed with the amendment that T7 be removed from the order.

The Committee considered the following planning applications:

Proposed workshop roof alterations and store extension.

The proposal was foralterations and extensions to the main roof of the existing workshop, demolition and replacement of the store to the south west elevation with an extended store and the replacement of the flat roof to the single storey addition to the south west with a lean-to roof.

It had been referred to Committee as it was an internal application relating to a site under the ownership of Sevenoaks District Council.

It was moved by the Chairman and duly seconded that the recommendation in the agenda to grant planning permission be agreed. Members considered that the application had been shown to be acceptable in planning terms.

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: amended plan 1039-004-03 date stamped received 30.7.15 and 1039-004-04.

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

3)    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 in accordance with amended drawing number 1039-004-03 date stamped received 30.07.15.

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 Allocations and Development Management Plan.

Reason for urgency: on 28 May 2015 the Development Control Committee resolved that planning permission be granted subject to conditions and subject to the completion of a S106 Agreement making provision for affordable housing within 3 months of the date of the meeting, else permission was to be refused. This resolution is to expire on 28 August 2015 and so the decision must be taken at this meeting as it would have expired by the time of the next meeting. This report has only just been prepared in light of advice received from the Legal Services Team.

The proposal was an outline application for the demolition of existing buildings and construction of a mixed use development to include 14 flats and retail premises with some matters reserved.

The report advised that the application had previously been considered by the Committee on 28 May 2015 at which the Committee granted permission subject to the completion of a Section 106 agreement within three months, failing which planning permission was to be refused. Since that meeting Sevenoaks District Council had retained ownership of this site. Sevenoaks District Council as landowner could not enter into a legal agreement with itself and so planning permission could not be granted in accordance with the resolution of the Committee. It was therefore proposed to amend the recommendation to remove the requirement for a Section 106 agreement for the affordable housing and to add a condition for affordable housing to avoid the need for unnecessarily refusing consent whilst ensuring that the delivery of affordable housing could be secured in a legal agreement at a later date.

The application had been referred to Development Control Committee because the application site was owned by the Council.

Members asked questions of clarification from the officers.

It was moved by the Chairman and duly seconded that the recommendation in the agenda to grant planning permission be agreed. Members noted it was important to secure the affordable housing provision.

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

1)    Details relating to the scale, layout 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 District Planning Authority before any development is commenced.

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

2)    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.

3)    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.

4)    Prior to commencement of work on site, details shall be submitted to and be approved in writing by the Council to demonstrate provision of on site parking facilities for personnel and visitors and for the storage of materials and plant. Such provision shall be retained for the duration of the building works.  The scheme shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details.

In the interests of highways safety and the free flow of traffic on the adjacent highway. "The Local Planning Authority is satisfied that it is fundamental to the development permitted to address this issue before development commences and that without this safeguard planning permission  ...  view the full minutes text for item 40.