Erection of a pair of semi-detached dwellings of two-storey design with associated parking, amenity space, bicycle and bin storage.

The proposal sought planning permission for the erection of a pair of semi-detached dwellings of two-storey design with associated parking, amenity space, bicycle and bin storage. The application had been referred to the Committee by Cllr Clayton and Purves to assess whether the proposal was overdevelopment of the site, its impact upon the character and appearance of the street neighbouring amenities, wildlife and set a precedent.

Members’ attention was brought to the main agenda papers. The Committee was addressed by the following speakers:

Members asked questions of clarification from the Officer. It was confirmed that both dwellings would be required to each have an electric charging point.

It was moved by the Chairman and duly seconded that the recommendations within the report, and condition 6 be amended to include ‘each’ be agreed.

Members discussed the application and some concerns were raised in regards to flooding and surface water drainage being sufficient for additional properties. Members debated the principle of development on the site and amenity space.

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)  No development shall be carried out above damp proof course level of the development hereby approved until details of the external finish materials including rainwater goods to be used for the development shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority. The development shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details.

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)  A hard and soft landscaping scheme shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority prior to any works above damp proof course level. The landscaping scheme shall include the following details: a)soft plantings, including trees, grass and turf areas, shrub and herbaceous areas; their location, species (use of native species where possible) and size; b) enclosures: including types, dimensions and treatments of walls, fences, pedestrian and vehicular gates, screen walls, barriers, rails, retaining walls and location, species and size of hedges; c) hard landscaping: including ground surfaces, kerbs, edges, ridge and flexible pavings, unit paving, steps, driveway and if applicable synthetic surfaces; and d) any other landscaping feature(s) forming part of the scheme. All landscaping in accordance with the approved scheme shall be completed / planted during the first planting season following practical completion of the development hereby approved or in accordance with a programme agreed with the Local Planning Authority. If within a period of five years from the completion of the development, any of the trees or plants that form part of the approved details of soft landscaping die, are removed or become seriously damaged or diseased then they shall be replaced in the next planting season with others of similar size and species.

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.

 4)  Prior to completion of the development a schedule of biodiversity enhancements that includes a plan showing their locations have been submitted to and approved by the Local Planning Authority and completed in full prior to the occupation of the new dwelling hereby approved. The scheme shall be implemented in accordance with the approved details.

To ensure that the proposed development will enhance biodiversity value of the site, in accordance with Policy SP11 of the Core Strategy and guidance in National Planning Policy Framework.

 5)  No external lighting within the site until details of any form of external lighting has been submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority. Such details shall include location, height, type and direction of light sources, means of controlling light spillage and intensity of illumination. Any lighting, which is so installed, shall thereafter be maintained and operated in accordance with the approved details and shall not be altered other than for routine maintenance.

To maintain the integrity and character of the area as supported by Policies EN1, EN2 of the Sevenoaks Allocations and Development Management Plan.

 6)  The dwellings hereby permitted shall each provide an electrical socket with suitable voltage and wiring for the safe charging of electric vehicles within the residential curtilage prior to its first occupation and maintained 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.

 7)  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 Classes A, A-A, B, C, F of Part 1 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.

To ensure that development within the permitted Classes in question is not carried out in such a way as to prejudice the appearance of the proposed development or the amenities of future occupants of the development or the occupiers of adjoining property in accordance with Policies EN1, EN2 of the Sevenoaks Allocations and Development Management Plan.

 8)  The windows in the first floor, east facing elevation(s) 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 privacy of the occupants of adjoining properties in accordance with Policy EN2 of the Sevenoaks Allocations and Development Management Plan.

 9)  No building shall be occupied until details of permeable surfacing and any surface water drainage provision of the access and parking areas have been submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority.  All surfacing and any surface water drainage provision shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details and completed prior to the first occupation of the dwelling hereby permitted.

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

10)The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved plans: 593/A1/01 Rev. A, 593/A1/02 Rev. B, 593/A1/03 Rev. B, 593/A1/04 Rev. B, 593/A1/06 Rev. A.

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

Informatives

 1)  The proposed development has been assessed and it is the Council's view that the CIL is payable.  Full details will be set out in the CIL Liability Notice which will be issued with this decision or as soon as possible after the decision.

 2)  New build developments or converted properties may require street naming and property numbering.  You are advised, prior to commencement, to contact the Council's Street Naming and Numbering team on 01732 227328 or visit www.sevenoaks.gov.uk for further details.

 3)  The applicant should note that under the terms of The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010, Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, it is an offence to disturb nesting birds or roosting bats which are also European Protected Species.

You should note that the work hereby granted consent does not override the statutory protection afforded to these and other protected species and you are advised to seek expert advice if you suspect that the demolition would disturb any protected species. Please note that a European Protected Species Licence will be required to allow the proposed development to proceed lawfully. Further details can be found at:

https://www.gov.uk/environmental-management/wildlife-habitat-conservation