Demolition of existing house at No.17 Egerton Avenue and clearance of commercial buildings at Former Egerton Nursery and development of 35no. 2, 3 & 4 bedroom houses with associated access and parking including on-site provision of 14no affordable homes.

The proposal sought permission for the demolition of existing house at No. 17 Egerton Avenue and clearance of commercial buildings at Former Egerton Nursery and development of 35no. 2, 3 & 4 bedroom houses with associated access and parking including on-site provision of 14no affordable houses. The application had been referred to the Committee by Councillor Kitchener so that the special circumstances regarding the shortfall of housing supply and the relevance of the emerging local plan can be considered.

Members’ attention was brought to the main agenda papers and late observation sheet.

The Committee was addressed by the following speakers:

Members asked questions of clarification from speakers and officers. It was clarified that agricultural buildings were not considered previously developed land and there was an ongoing enforcement investigation parts of the site.

It was moved by the Chairman and duly seconded that the recommendations within the report, be agreed.

Members discussed the application and expressed disapproval over the current commercial use of the site. Members expressed concerns that the development proposed was not necessary and instead the site could be restored with enforcement action. However, it was argued that the development was an opportunity to provide affordable housing as well as an improvement to the site. It was noted that the Council had failed to meet its five year housing supply target. Members considered the support of the application from local residents and Hextable Parish Council. It was suggested that if Members were minded to grant planning permission, that it be ensured that sufficient affordable housing be provided.

The motion was put to the vote and was lost.

It was noted that the granting of planning permission would require the application to be referred to the Secretary of State as the scheme was a major application within the green belt.

Councillor Williamson moved and it was duly seconded that planning permission be granted on the grounds that the benefits to the residential surroundings and provision of affordable housing outweighed the harm to the green belt. Furthermore, the Section 106 agreement would be completed within two months and if not, planning permission would be refused on the grounds that it does not provide sufficient affordable housing.

The motion was put to the vote and it was

Resolved:  That provided the application was not recovered by the Secretary of State

a)    planning permission be granted subject to the following

1)     delegated authority be granted to the Deputy Chief Executive and Chief Officer – Planning & Regulatory Services to draft planning conditions and informatives after consultation with local ward members, Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Development Control Committee

2)     an acceptable Section 106 agreement to secure affordable housing be completed within two months of the date of planning permission

b)   in the event the Section 106 is not completed within two months of 22 October 2020, planning permission be refused on the following grounds

1)    the proposal does not secure the provision of affordable housing as such proposal is contrary to policy SP3 of the Sevenoaks Core Strategy.