The erection of a new detached single car garage

The proposal was for the erection of a detached single-bay garage outbuilding. The building would be located to the front of the site, in the south-east corner, adjacent to the boundary of the neighbouring property to the south, Thornwood.

The site was to the north of Seal Hollow Road with a bank and mature vegetation to the front. It was within the built confines of Sevenoaks.

The report advised that the proposed garage building would preserve the character and appearance of the area, neighbouring amenity and highways safety, and would provide sufficient parking.

Members’ attention was drawn to the tabled Late Observations sheet. It was noted that a Members’ Site Inspection had been held for this application.

The Committee was addressed by the following speakers:

Against the Application:       Mrs. Dally

For the Application:              Mr. James

Parish Representative:         Cllr. Clayton

Local Member:                      -

Members were directed to a statement submitted by Cllr. Mrs. Purves.

In response to a question Officers confirmed the garage would be open-fronted. Kent Highways Service would be consulted on any landscaping works, so that they could consider whether there was sufficient space to the front of the property to accommodate a further vehicle without having to access the main road in reverse gear.

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

The local Member, on the Committee, felt that the proposal could be considered as overdevelopment contrary to the Residential Character Area Assessment. He felt there would be insufficient screening from the road.

Members noted the garage was parallel to the front of neighbouring Thornwood.

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 on the land until samples of the materials to be used in the construction of the external surfaces of the garage hereby permitted have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Council. The development shall be carried out using the approved materials.

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 District Local Plan.

3)         No development shall be carried out on the land until full details of both hard and soft landscape works have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Council.  Those details shall include:-layout of areas of hard standing (identifying existing areas of hard standing to be retained, new hard standing and the finish of new hard standing);-planting plans (identifying existing planting, plants to be retained and new planting);-a schedule of new plants (noting species, size of stock at time of planting and proposed number/densities); and-a programme of implementation. The extent of the hard standing shall be sufficient to enable vehicles to turn and exit the site in a forward gear and to provide for a second parking space.

To preserve the visual appearance of the area as supported by policy EN1 of the Sevenoaks District Local Plan.

4)         Hard and soft landscape works shall be carried out before first use of the outbuilding.  The landscape works shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details.

To preserve the visual appearance of the area as supported by policy EN1 of the Sevenoaks District Local Plan.

5)         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 preserve the visual appearance of the area as supported by policy EN1 of the Sevenoaks District Local Plan.

6)         No development shall be carried out on the land until full details of the tree protection measures for the existing trees along the front of the site have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Council. The development shall be carried out using the approved details.

To secure the retention of the trees and to safeguard their long-term health as supported by Policy EN1 of the Sevenoaks District Local Plan.

7)         No development shall be carried out on the land until a plan indicating the positions, design and materials of all means of enclosure to be retained and erected has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Council.

To preserve the visual appearance of the area as supported by policy EN1 of the Sevenoaks District Local Plan.

8)         The garage and area of hard standing to the front of the site shall be provided and kept available for such use at all times and no permanent development shall be carried out on the land so shown or in such a position as to preclude vehicular access to the garage and area of hard standing to the front of the site.

In the interest of highway safety as supported by policy EN1 of the Sevenoaks District Local Plan.

9)         Notwithstanding the information submitted, no development shall take place until details of the proposed slab level of the approved garage and any changes in levels on the front of the site have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The development shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details.

To safeguard the amenities of the occupiers of properties adjacent to the site as supported by Policy EN1 of the Sevenoaks District Local Plan.

10)       The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved plans: SEALC/G1 and SEALC/R/10B (not including the house).

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