Demolish existing barn with residential consent and construct a replacement dwelling.

The proposal sought planning permission for the demolition of existing barn with residential consent and construction of replacement dwelling. The application had been referred to Development Control Committee by Councillor Cheeseman to consider whether the proposals would represent inappropriate development harmful to the openness of the Green Belt and whether they would conserve and enhance the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Members’ attention was brought to the main agenda papers and the late observation sheet which amended condition 3. 

The Committee was addressed by the following speakers:

Members asked questions of clarification from the speakers and officers. In response to a question Officers confirmed that it would be possible to include the condition suggested by Kent County Council.

It was moved by the Chairman that the recommendations within the report, and the suggested condition as recommended by KCC Highways for the gates to open away from the highway and to be set back a minimum 5 metres from the edge of the carriageway be agreed.

Members debated the application.

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: 1617/A4/94, A1/500, A1/510, A3/SK410.

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

3)   Prior to the commencement of development (and vegetation clearance), the full Great Crested Newt mitigation strategy, as detailed within the GCN Developmental Impact & Mitigation Strategy by Lewis Ecology dated 28th May 2019, shall be undertaken in accordance with the specifications set out in the strategy and shall be implemented by an experienced ecologist.

To protect biodiversity as supported by the NPPF and Policy SP11 of Sevenoaks District Councils Core Strategy.

4)   Before any equipment, machinery or materials are brought on to the land for the purposes of the development, details of the means of protection of any trees located within the vicinity of the proposed works, in accordance with BS5837: 2012 Trees in Relation to Construction, are to be submitted to the District Planning Authority for approval in writing and the land so enclosed shall be kept clear of all contractors materials and machinery. The existing soil levels around the boles of the trees shall not be altered.  The means of protection shall be maintained until all equipment, machinery and surplus materials have been removed from the land.

To prevent damage to the trees during the construction period as supported by Policy EN1 of the Sevenoaks District Councils Allocation and Development Management Plan.

5)   The materials to be used in the construction of the development shall be those indicated on the approved plan 1617/A1/510.

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.

6)   No development shall be carried out above the damp proof course of the hereby approved dwelling until full details of both hard and soft landscaping have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. These details shall cover:  Proposed finished levels or contours;  Hard surfacing materials;  Planting plans;  Boundary Treatments;  Written specification (including cultivation and other operations associated with plant and grass establishment);  Schedules of plants, noting species, planting sizes and proposed numbers/densities where appropriate; and a timetable for implementation. Development shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details. Any trees or plants which within a period of 5 years from the completion of the development die, are removed or become seriously damaged or diseased shall be replaced in the next planting season with others of similar size and species, unless the local planning authority gives written approval to any variation.

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 and EN5 of the Sevenoaks Allocations and Development Management Plan and the NPPF.

7)   Notwithstanding the site area defined in red, no development shall take place until details of the curtilage to the dwelling hereby approved have been submitted to the Local Planning Authority for approval in writing. The curtilage shall be set out and retained in accordance with the approved details, before the dwelling is first brought into use and maintained as such at all times.

To prevent inappropriate development in the Green Belt as supported by GB9 of the Sevenoaks Allocations and Development Management Plan.

8)   No external lighting shall be installed on or around the new dwelling hereby permitted unless details have first been submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority. The approved lighting shall be installed in accordance with the approved details and retained as such.

To ensure the rural character of the area and Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is conserved in accordance with Policy EN1 and EN5 of the Sevenoaks Allocations and Development Management Plan and the NPPF.

9)   The parking spaces so shown on drawing 1617/A1/500 shall be made available prior to the first occupation of the new dwelling and retained as such thereafter.

To ensure the development provides sufficient parking in accordance with Policy T2 of the Sevenoaks Allocations and Development Management Plan and the NPPF.

10)   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, E or G of Part 1 of Schedule 2 of the 2015 Order (as amended), shall be carried out or made to the dwelling hereby permitted without the grant of a further planning permission by the local planning authority.

To prevent inappropriate development in the Green Belt as supported by GB9 of the Sevenoaks Allocations and Development Management Plan.

11)   No development shall be carried out above the damp proof course of the hereby approved development until a scheme to promote ecological enhancement has been submitted and approved in writing by the local planning authority with a scheme of implementation. The ecological enhancements shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details prior to first occupation of the dwelling and shall be maintained thereafter.

To enhance biodiversity as supported by Policy SP11 of Sevenoaks District Councils Core Strategy.

12)   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 approved details within 3 months of the date of approval and shall be retained thereafter.

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

13)   No gate shall be erected across the vehicular access/driveway within 5m of the carriageway or be installed other than to open into the site and away from the public highway.