Construction of an in-ground swimming pool with associated filter / pump equipment cabinets and landscaping.

The proposal sought planning permission for the Construction of an in-ground swimming pool with associated filter/pump equipment cabinets and landscaping.

The application had been referred to the Committee by Councillor Roy due to the detrimental impact on residential amenity on neighbouring properties, contrary to policy EN2 of the Sevenoaks Allocations and Development Management Plan.

Members’ attention was brought to the main agenda papers.

The Committee was addressed by the following speakers:

Members asked questions of clarification from the speakers and officer.

It was confirmed by the Officer that the proposal before the Committee regarded its impact on the listed building and previous concerns from the arboricultural Officer and Conservation Officer.

Cllr Edwards-Winser declared that he was the local member for Shoreham and Otford but had not been involved with the proposal and would keep an open-mind.

The Chairman moved from the Chair that the recommendations within the report, be agreed.

Members discussed the application, giving consideration to points raised by the speakers in regards to the noise of the works

The Chairman moved from the Chair that the wording of condition 5 be changed to ‘no work to take place on Sundays or bank holidays’.

The motion was put to the vote and agreed.

Debate continued on the substantive motion.

The substantive 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 materials to be used in the construction of the external surfaces of the development hereby permitted shall match those stated on the application form.

To ensure that the appearance of the development is in harmony with the existing character of the area and Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty as supported by Policies EN1 and EN5 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: 030, 031, 100, 110, 111, VR10, Longitudinal plan, proposed garden planting plan.

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

4)     No development shall take place until the applicant has secured the implementation of a programme of archaeological work in accordance with a written scheme of investigation which has been submitted by the applicant and agreed in writing with the local planning authority. The development shall be carried out in strict accordance with the detailed scheme of investigation and any archaeological works shall be carried out by a suitably qualified investigating body acceptable to the local planning authority.

The site is of high archaeological potential and it is important that the archaeological information should be preserved as a record before it is destroyed by the development in accordance with Policy EN4 of the Sevenoaks Allocations and Development Management Plan.

5)      No demolition/construction activities shall take place other than from 08:00 hours until 18:00 hours (Monday to Friday) and from 08:00 hours until 13:00 hours (Saturday) with no work on Sunday or Bank/Public Holidays.

To protect the residential amenity of neighbouring properties, as supported by Policy EN2 of the Sevenoaks Allocations and Development Management Plan.

6)     No development shall take place until a Tree Protection Plan in accordance with British Standard 5837:2012 (or later revision) has been submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority. The development shall be carried out in accordance with the agreed details and no equipment, machinery or materials shall be brought onto the site for the purposes of the development until the measures have been implemented in accordance with the Tree Protection Plan. The protection measures shall be maintained in accordance with the approved details, until all equipment, machinery and surplus materials have been moved from the site.

To protect the trees on site which are to be retained in the interests of the visual amenities of the locality in accordance with Policy EN1 of the Sevenoaks Allocations and Development Management Plan.

7)     Notwithstanding the landscaping proposed, the addition of native hedging shall be installed along the northern, eastern and western boundaries of the application site prior to first use of the proposed development.

To enhance the biodiversity on the application site, as supported by Policy SP11 of the Sevenoaks Core Strategy.