Change of use from commercial offices to 3 new dwellings with rooflight. New roof level to create new storey and external alterations. Partial demolition. Associated works including hard and soft landscaping. Alterations to fenestration.

The proposal sought planning permission for a change of use from commercial offices to 3 new dwellings with rooflight, new roof level to create new storey and external alterations, partial demolition, associated works including hard and soft landscaping, and alterations to fenestration. The application had been referred to the Committee by Councillor Fleming on grounds of impact to neighbour amenity and parking.

Members’ attention was brought to the main agenda papers and late observation sheet which proposed an additional condition.

The Committee was addressed by the following speakers:

Members asked questions of clarification from the speakers and the officer.

It was clarified that the condition to obscure the first floor window included a requirement for it to be maintained, and that removing it would invite enforcement action. There would be a reduction in demand for street parking, as per Kent County Council guidelines, the offices required 8 parking spaces, and the proposed dwellings required 3. The location of the proposal meant that parking would not need to be provided on site.

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

Members discussed the application, giving consideration to parking, the height of the development, and the designs of the other houses in the area.

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 and details: 21-15 P01, P02A, P03A, P04A, P05, P06, P07A, P08A, P09, P10, P11A, P12A, and the Design and Access Statement.

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

3) No development shall be carried out on the land until samples of the materials to be used in the construction of the external surfaces of the development hereby permitted have been submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority. The development shall be carried out using the approved materials.  The local planning authority is satisfied that it is fundamental to the development permitted to address this issue before development commences and that without this safeguard planning permission should not be granted.

To ensure that the appearance of the development enhances the character and appearance of the area as supported by Policy EN1 and EN4 of the Sevenoaks Allocations and Development Management Plan.

4) Notwithstanding drawing number P08 RevA, the first floor window in the south elevation 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 amenities of the occupiers of properties Lime Tree Walk as supported by Policy EN2 of the Sevenoaks Allocations and Development Management Plan.

5) No development including any works of demolition or preparation works prior to building operations shall take place on site until a Construction Transport Management Plan has been submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority. The approved statement shall be adhered to throughout the construction period and shall include:(a) parking for vehicles of site personnel, operatives and visitors;(b) loading and unloading of plant and materials;(c) storage of plant and materials used in constructing the development;(d) programme of works (including measures for traffic management);(e) measures to control the emissions of dust and dirt during construction;(f) a scheme for the recycling/disposing of waste resulting from demolition and construction works;(g) hours of operation.

To preserve neighbour amenity and highway safety in accordance with policy EN2 and T1 of the Sevenoaks Allocations and Development Management Plan.

6) No development shall be carried out on the land until details of the materials to be used in the construction of the external surfaces of the development hereby permitted have been submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority. The development shall be carried out using the approved materials.

To ensure that the appearance of the development enhances the character and appearance of the area as supported by Policy EN1 of the Sevenoaks Allocations and Development Management Plan.

7) Details of how the boundary wall is make good post demolition of the rear element of the building shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority prior to first occupation. The works shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details.

To preserve the existing boundary wall in the interest of public safety and amenity.

8) The existing hanging clock on the East Elevation shall be retained unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority.   

To ensure that the appearance of the development conserves the character and appearance of the area as supported by policies EN1 and EN4 of the Sevenoaks Allocations and Development Management Plan.

Informatives

1) Where a new development/or property changes use within or on the boundaries of a residential parking scheme, the inclusion of the new properties within the permit scheme cannot be taken for granted, and often would not be possible. Unless there is equal opportunity for existing permit holders of the highway to park in the area applying to join the scheme, permits should not be issued to the residents of the development or property that has changed.

National Planning Policy Framework

In dealing with this application we have implemented the requirements in the National Planning Policy Framework to work with the applicant/agent in a positive, proactive and creative way by offering a pre-application advice service; as appropriate updating applicants/agents of any issues that may arise in the processing of their application and where possible and if applicable suggesting solutions to secure a successful outcome. We have considered the application in light of our statutory policies in our development plan as set out in the officer’s report.