Single storey rear extension, 1st floor extension above garage, loft conversion, internal alterations & conversion of outbuilding to annexe.

The proposal sought planning permission for a single storey rear extension, 1st floor extension above garage, loft conversion, internal alterations & conversion of outbuilding to annexe. The application had been referred to the Committee by Councillor Fleming for the following reasons:

1) Loss of screening vegetation and trees

2) Overlooking and Loss of privacy

3) Effect on the Conservation Area

Members’ attention was brought to the main agenda papers and late observation sheet which did not amend the recommendation

It was moved by the Chairman that, in accordance with rule 16.1 Part 2 of the Constitution, Members extend the meeting beyond 10.30 p.m. to enable the Committee to complete all the business on the agenda. The motion was put to the vote and it was agreed.

The Committee was addressed by the following speakers:

Members asked questions of clarification from the speakers and officer.

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

Members discussed the application and some Members raised concern as to the use of the annexe.

It was moved and duly seconded that condition six be amended to prevent the annexe from being ‘rented out nor used as a separate dwelling’.

The amendment was put to the vote and it was agreed.

Discussion 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)     Prior to development above the damp proof course layer of the development hereby approved, full details of both hard and soft landscape proposals to the front and rear of the site, including a schedule of landscape maintenance for a minimum period of 5 years, shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority. The landscape scheme shall include vegetation to the south boundary of the site and details of any trees to be planted to the front and rear of the site. The approved landscape scheme (with the exception of planting, seeding and turfing) shall be implemented prior to the occupation of the development hereby approved and thereafter retained.

To ensure the provision, establishment and maintenance of an appropriate landscape scheme in the interests of the visual amenities of The Vine Conservation Area and to safeguard the privacy of neighbours to the south of the development, in accordance with Policies EN1, EN2 and EN4 of the Sevenoaks Allocations and Development Management Plan, as well as The Vine Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan

3)     All planting, seeding or turfing approved shall be carried out in the first planting and seeding season following the occupation of the development or the completion of the development, whichever is the sooner. Any trees or plants which, within a period of five years after planting, are removed, die or become seriously damaged or diseased in the opinion of the local planning authority , shall be replaced in the next available planting season with others of similar size, species and number, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the local planning authority.

To ensure the provision, establishment and maintenance of an appropriate landscape scheme in the interests of the visual amenities of The Vine Conservation Area and to safeguard the privacy of neighbours to the south of the development, in accordance with Policies EN1, EN2 and EN4 of the Sevenoaks Allocations and Development Management Plan, as well as The Vine Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan.

4)     All new windows proposed at first floor level and above to the east and west-facing elevations of the dwelling (including the west-facing dormer windows) 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 neighbours of the development, in accordance with Policy EN2 of the Sevenoaks Allocations and Development Management Plan.

5)     The south-facing window proposed to the annexe hereby approved 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 occupants and neighbours of the development, in accordance with Policy EN2 of the Sevenoaks Allocations and Development Management Plan.

6)     The annex hereby approved shall remain of a function which is ancillary to the dwelling and shall not be subdivided, rented out nor used as a separate dwelling.

To preserve the residential amenities of neighbours and existing parking provision for the site, in accordance with Policies EN1, EN2 and T2 of the Sevenoaks ADMP.

7)     The materials to be used in the construction of the external surfaces of the development hereby permitted shall match those used on the existing dwelling and annexe, in accordance with drawings 200 C, 201 and 111.

To conserve the visual amenity and character of built form across The Vine Conservation Area, in accordance with Policy EN4 of the Sevenoaks Allocations and Development Management Plan.

8)     The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved plans and details: 2021-727 (P) 001, 2021 - 727 (P) 005 Rev B, 200 Rev C, 201.

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