To approve the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 7 November 2024, as a correct record.

Resolved: That the Minutes of the Development Management Committee held on the 7 November 2024 be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

Including any interests not already registered

Cllr Camp declared for Minute 33 - 24/01543/MMA - 63 Bosville Drive, Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 3JB that she was a member of Sevenoaks Town Council and had chaired the meeting where the item had been considered but remained open minded.

Cllr Bayley declared for Minute 35 - 24/00932/HOUSE - Midway, London Road, Dunton Green Kent TN13 2TA that she was a ward member.

Cllr Williams declared for Minute 36 - 24/01414/FUL - 14 Springshaw Close, Bessels Green, Kent TN13 2QE as he was a member of the Parish Council and he chaired the meeting where the item has been considered but remained open minded.

Cllrs Reay and Williams declared for Minute 36 -24/01414/FUL - 14 Springshaw Close, Bessels Green, Kent TN13 2QE.

Cllr Bayley declared for Minute 37 - 4/02027/HOUSE - Brownings, Knockholt Road, Halstead Kent TN14 7EU

UNRESERVED PLANNING APPLICATIONS

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 matters were considered without debate:

Amendment to 23/03542/HOUSE to amend fenestration.

The proposal sought planning permission for an amendment to 23/03542/HOUSE to amend fenestration.

The proposal was brought before the Committee at the discretion of the Chief Planning Officers as the applicant was related to a member of staff.

It was moved by the Chair that the recommendation set out within the late observation sheet be agreed.

Resolved: That the application be deferred to allow further re-consultation.

Partial demolition and conversion of the existing barn to form five self-contained dwellings, with associated parking, private amenity and landscaping.

The proposal sought planning permission for partial demolition and conversion of  the existing barn to form five self-contained dwellings, with associated parking, private amenity and landscaping.

The application had been referred to the committee by Cllr Waterton for a decision due to concerns regarding design, character of the area, highway impact and local infrastructure.

It was moved from the Chair that the recommendation as set out within the report and late observations be agreed.

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 and details: DHA/31905/11 B, 31905/12 A, 31905/13 A, 31905/14 A, 31905/15 A.

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

 3) No development including any works of demolition or preparation works prior to building operations shall take place on site until a Construction Management Plan has been submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority. The approved statement shall be adhered to throughout the construction period and shall include:

(a) parking for vehicles of site personnel, operatives and visitors;

(b) loading and unloading of plant and materials;

(c) storage of plant and materials used in constructing the development;

(d) programme of works (including measures for traffic management);

(e) measures to control the emissions of dust and dirt during construction;

(f) measures to control the emission of noise during construction;

(g) a scheme for the recycling/disposing of waste resulting from demolition and construction works;

(h) hours of operation.

To protect neighbouring amenity and to preserve highway safety in accordance with policies EN2 and T1 of the Sevenoaks Allocations and Development Management Plan.

4)   No development shall be carried out on the land until details of the materials to be used in the construction of the external surfaces of the dwellings hereby permitted have been submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority. The development shall be carried out using the approved materials.

To ensure that the appearance of the development enhances the character and appearance of the site and area as supported by Policy EN1 of the Sevenoaks Allocations and Development Management Plan.

5)   No development shall take place until full details, of both hard and soft landscape proposals, including a schedule of landscape maintenance for a minimum period of 5 years, have been submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority. The approved landscape scheme (with the exception of planting, seeding and turfing) shall be implemented prior to the occupation of the development hereby approved and thereafter retained.

To ensure the provision, establishment and maintenance of an appropriate landscape scheme in the interests of the visual amenities of the locality in accordance with Policy EN1 of the Sevenoaks Allocations and Development Management  ...  view the full minutes text for item 34.

Increase ridge height to accommodate room in the roof with gable to rear and single storey extension to front of recess.

The proposal sought planning permission to increase ridge height to accommodate room in the roof with gable to rear and single storey extension to front of recess.

The matter was referred to the Committee by Cllr Clack over concerns regarding the loss of parking and loss of privacy to neighbouring dwellings.

It was moved from the Chair that the recommendation as set out within the report be agreed.

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: 26CAS/2016-17-06, 26CAS/2916-17-05, 26CAS/2916-17-04, and 26CAS/2916-17-03.

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

 3)   The development hereby permitted shall be constructed entirely of the materials as detailed on the schedule of materials on the planning application form.

To secure a satisfactory appearance in the interests of the visual amenities and character of the locality in accordance with Policy EN1 of the Sevenoaks Allocations and Development Management Plan.

4)  The rooflights hereby permitted shall be sited at least 1.7 metres above the floor of the room in which the window is installed and shall thereafter be permanently retained as such.

To safeguard the privacy of the occupants of adjoining properties in accordance with Policy EN2 of the Sevenoaks Allocations and Development Management Plan.

5)  Access to the flat roof area of the development hereby permitted shall be for maintenance or emergency purposes only and the flat roof shall not be used as a balcony, roof garden, patio or similar amenity area.

To protect the privacy of neighbouring occupiers in accordance with EN2 of the Sevenoaks Allocations and Development Management Plan.

RESERVED PLANNING APPLICATIONS

The Committee considered the following planning applications:

Subdivision of existing plot and erection of a detached dwelling with associated access and landscaping.

The proposal sought planning permission for the subdivision of existing plot and erection of a detached dwelling with associated access and landscaping.

The application had been referred to the Committee by Cllr Williams for further consideration of over development and the impact of the development on the street scene, its impact on sunlight to neighbours and parking provision.

Members’ attention was brought to the agenda papers and late observation sheet which confirmed a re-consultation was undertaken on a revised plan which correct an omitted window on the proposed side elevation that was shown on the proposed floor plan.

The Committee was addressed by the following speakers:

Members’ asked questions of clarification of the speakers with a focus on ecology and Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG). It was explained that the presence of bats was not in itself grounds to refuse planning permission however, the applicant would need to provide mitigation and have them removed under licence. Ecological investigations and a BNG assessment had been carried out and it was necessary to achieve the BNG via offsite credits which was typical of this type of site. The speaker elaborated that other features of the garden were not protected and it was an uncommon type of garden for an urban area. Ecological factors and the BNG had been factored into the planning permission and that the BNG was a mandatory requirement and the mandatory conditions would still apply.

Members asked questions of clarification of the officers with a focus on size and environmental protection. Officers clarified that the development was not out of character for the road and there was no risk of terracing as other properties within the road were of a similar size, equally tightly packed and there was capacity for infill development in line with the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) whereby the development would be deemed an efficient use of underutilised land. Consideration of paragraph 11 of the NPPF should also be given, as the site was within the urban confines of Sevenoaks.

In respect of environmental protection, it was clarified the trees on the development were not covered by a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) but an amendment could be made to Condition 7 to ensure hard and soft landscaping was retained for five years and if any trees died they would be immediately replaced.

It was moved by the Chairman that the recommendations within the report, late observations and additional landscaping conditions at Condition 7, be agreed.

Members discussed the proposal giving consideration to the size and impact on biodiversity. Concerns were raised with regard to the impact on local wildlife and greenery however, it was noted that the comments made in respect of the BNG and NPPF were correct as BNG could be achieved offsite where necessary. Consideration was given to the local area neighbouring properties.

The recommendation and the additions to Condition 7 were put to the vote and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 36.

Side, rear, and front extensions, raise ridge height and include dormers at front and rear.

The proposal sought planning permission for side, rear, and front extensions, raise ridge height and include dormers at front and rear.

The application was referred to the Committee by Cllr Grint due to concerns over the proposed dwelling's design and form which the Councillor considered to be overbearing and out of character with the surrounding properties contrary to Policy EN1 of the Sevenoaks Allocations and Development Management Plan.

Members’ attention was brought to the agenda papers.

The committee was addressed by the following speakers:

Questions were asked of the officers with a focus on the blend of housing and parking spaces. It was clarified that the increase in ridge height would not be in excess of other properties within the local area any dwelling with four or more bedrooms would be required to have two independently accessible parking spaces.

It was moved by the Chairman that the recommendations within the report be agreed.

Members discussed the proposal giving consideration to Planning Policy.

The recommendation 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 external surfaces of the development hereby permitted shall match those used on the existing building.

To ensure that the appearance of the development is in harmony with the existing character of the area as supported by Policy EN1 of the Sevenoaks Allocations and Development Management Plan.

3) The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved plans and details: Browning-Pr-El-R3; Browning-Pr-Pl

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

4) Notwithstanding the approved drawings, the side facing ground floor windows and the rooflight on the east and west facing elevation of the development hereby permitted shall be glazed with obscure glass of no less than  obscurity level 3 and permanently fixed shut, unless the parts of the window/s which can be opened are more than 1.7 metres above the floor of the room in which the window is installed and shall thereafter be permanently retained as such.

To safeguard the visual amenity of the area as supported by Policy EN2 of the Sevenoaks Allocations and Development Management Plan.