Reserved matters (Access, Appearance, Landscaping, Layout and Scale) pursuant to condition 2 of SE/11/02471/OUT - Proposed demolition of the former police station and erection of up to approximately 52 residential units.

The application was for reserved matters pursuant  to outline permission. There would be 55 residential units across 4 buildings, 40% of which would be Affordable Housing.

The application had been deferred from the meeting of the Committee held on 18 April 2013 to seek changes to the scheme in consultation with the Local Members. Members had been concerned about the design, particularly of Block A fronting London Road and considered the building to be monolithic, lacking in distinctive features and did not make a positive impact on its surroundings. Members also considered the use of materials, including the choice of brickwork and timber cladding, to be inappropriate to the town.

There would now be cream rendered finish at ground level and on the recessed top floors of block A, B and C. Windows were designed larger to emphasise the glazing rather than brickwork. Block A was shown to have its design broken up by projections and recesses.

The Committee was addressed by the following speakers:

Against the Application:       -

For the Application:              Mr. Meader

Parish Representative:         -

Local Member:                      -

In response to a question Officers confirmed there was no policy to require a signature building as requested by Sevenoaks Town Council. Members sought to ensure the conditions would cover the nature of the timber cladding that it was not similar to that found at the Railway and Bicycle.

It was MOVED by the Chairman and was duly seconded that the recommendation in the report to grant permission subject to conditions be adopted.

Several Members of the Committee raised concern at the proposed design and felt that more significant changes should have been made from the design as deferred. The v-shaped front was too subtle and the timber cladding was undesirable. It was suggested that in design terms it was a missed opportunity to make use of the site.

It was felt the enlarged windows an improvement.

The motion was put to the vote and it was –

Resolved: That planning permission be GRANTED subject to the following conditions:-

1)         The southernmost portion of the turning head to the rear of Block B shall be hatched with "keep clear" markings or other similar measures, in accordance with a scheme that shall be submitted to and approved writing by the Local Planning Authority prior to the first occupation of Block B or Block D. The approved details shall be maintained as such thereafter.

To ensure suitable provision for the turning of refuse vehicles, in accordance with policy EN1 of the Sevenoaks District Local Plan.

2)         The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved plans: 5827 01C, 10D, 11D, 12D, 13B, 14C, 15C, 16C, 17E, 18A, 19 21C, 22C, 23C, Bir.4175_01 and Bir.4175_02

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

3)         The material samples required under condition 4 of SE/11/02471 shall include a sample panel measuring a minimum of 300mm x 300mm in area of the timber cladding to be used in the external elevations of the development, and shall demonstrate how the individual timbers will join with one another, and details of any staining proposed to the timber cladding.

To ensure a satisfactory appearance to the development, in accordance with Policy SP1 of the Sevenoaks Core Strategy and Policy EN1 of the Sevenoaks District Local Plan.

Informatives

1)         The refuse bins that are depicted on the approved plans appear to be 1,100L wheeled bins, and if so each refuse storage area has the required no. of bins.  The 1,100L bins must be of the drop-front variety as outlined in the Sevenoaks District Council guidance to developers.   Further, the bins should be allocated as follows:

a.         Refuse Block A: 3 bins for general waste (black sacks) & 3 bins for recyclable waste (clear sacks and large cardboard)

b.         Refuse Block B: 2 bins for general waste (black sacks) & 2 bins for recyclable waste (clear sacks and large cardboard)

c.          Refuse Block C: 2 bins for general waste (black sacks) & 2 bins for recyclable waste (clear sacks and large cardboard)

d.         Refuse Block D: 1 bin for general waste (black sacks) & 1 bin for recyclable waste (clear sacks and large cardboard)

2)         The surfacing materials for the access and roadways hereby approved and as shown on the plans, shall be constructed to accommodate the weight of a 26 tonne refuse collection vehicle.

3)         You are advised that the drainage details required as part of condition 12 of the outline planning permission remain outstanding and will need to be subject to a separate details submission.

4)         Any gate installed on the boundary between the dry access route to Block D and the adjacent public footpath must be designed to open inwards into the site, to avoid obstruction of the public footpath.