Removal of existing garden building and the erection of a new detached house including access and relocation of existing garden shed.

The proposal sought planning permission for the removal of an existing garden building and the erection of a new detached house including access and relocation of an existing garden shed.

The application had been referred to the Development Control Committee by Councillor Firth due to concerns that the proposal failed to preserve the character and appearance of the Brasted High Street Conservation Area and failed properly to assess the adverse effects of increased parking along that particular stretch of Church Road during evening and weekends bearing in mind that Church Road was also the emergency access to the A25.

Members attention was brought to the main agenda papers and the late observations sheet which amended the conditions. 

The committee was addressed by the following speakers:

Against the Application:       -

For the Application:             Emma Gregson

Parish Representatives:        Cllr Rogowska

Local Members:                    Cllr Firth

Members asked questions of clarification from speakers and Officers. The agent for the applicant explained that the plan for the previously refused application and current plan were the same apart from foundation alterations which aimed to preserve the trees on site. The Parish Council was not aware of any instances where emergency vehicles were unable to drive down Church Lane however some difficulty had been reported on the A25 relating to vehicles trying to turn into the road.

It was moved by the Chairman and duly seconded that the recommendation within the report to grant planning permission be approved as amended by the late observations.

The motion to grant planning permission 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 application form.

To ensure that the appearance of the development enhances the character and appearance of the area as supported by Policy EN2 of the Sevenoaks Allocations and Development Management Plan.

3)   Prior to occupation of the dwelling, details for the provision of facilities for the safe charging of electric vehicles and an implementation timetable for the installation of the unit shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority. The facilities shall be installed in accordance with the details so approved and be retained, maintained thereafter and be available for use at all times.

In order to mitigate and adapt to climate change in accordance with policies EN1 and T3 of the Sevenoaks Allocations and Development Management Plan.

4)   The windows on the north facing and south facing elevations shall be obscure glazed to level 3 and non-opening at all times unless the windows are more than 1.7m above the floor of the room in which the windows are located and shall be retained and maintained thereafter.

To protect the amenities of the neighbouring property Rose Cottage as supported by policy EN2 of the ADMP.

5)   Prior to works commencing the detailed foundation design shall be submitted to and approved in writing to the Local Authority. The foundations shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details.

To ensure protection of the adjacent trees as supported by policy EN1 of the ADMP.

6)   The tree protection strategies shall be carried out as set out within the submitted Arboricultural Method Statement dated 10th January 2018.

To ensure protection of the adjacent trees as supported by policy EN1 of the ADMP.

7)   Prior to first occupation, the access and parking areas shown on the approved plan BCOT/4A shall be formed and brought into use and shall be retained for this purpose thereafter.

To ensure adequate parking provision is provided as supported by policy EN1 and T2 of the ADMP.

8)   Notwithstanding the provisions of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 (or any Order amending, revoking and re-enacting that Order) no enlargement, improvement or other alteration permitted by Class A, B, C, D or E of Part 1 of Schedule 2 or Class A of part 2 of Schedule 2 of the 2015 Order (as amended), shall be carried out or made to the dwelling without the grant of a further planning permission by the local planning authority other than the relocation of the shed hereby permitted as shown on plan BCOT/4A.

To prevent inappropriate development in the Green Belt as supported by Government guidance in the form of National Planning Policy.

9)   The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved plans and details: BCOT/1A, 2A, 3, 4A

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

10) No works shall take place until the applicant, agent or successors in title, has secured the implementation of a watching brief to be undertaken by an archaeologist approved by the Local Planning Authority so that the excavation is observed and items of interest and finds are recorded. The watching brief shall be in accordance with a written programme and specification which has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

In order to safeguard any remaining archaeological interest on the site in accordance with policies EN25 of the Sevenoaks District Local Plan.