Construction of a residential led mixed use scheme comprising 39 flats (5x one bed and 34 x two bed), 4x retail (A1/A2) units and car parking, service yard, landscaping and associated works.

The proposal was for the construction of a residential led mixed use scheme comprising 39 flats (5 no. one bed and 34 no. two bed), 4 no. retail (A1/A2) units and car parking, service yard, landscaping and associated works. The application had been referred to Development Control Committee by Councillor Fleming on the grounds of overdevelopment, uninspiring design, and lack of affordable housing.

Members’ attention was brought to further information contained within the late observations sheet, but did not propose any amendments or changes to the recommendation before the Committee.

The Committee was addressed by the following speakers:

Against the Application:       -

For the Application:              Helen Locking

Parish Representative:         -

Local Member:                      Cllr. Fleming

Members asked questions of clarification from the Speakers and Officers. Members asked what the difference in height was between the proposal and the extant permission SE/10/03271 granted on appeal. Members were referred to the report. At its highest the proposal was 2.5m above the existing permission (but would be recessed) then would move to 6m higher where the increase was from 3 to 5 storeys. The proposal would step down to be the same height and then lower at its eastern boundary.

It was MOVED by the Chairman and was duly seconded that the recommendation in the report to grant permission subject to conditions and subject to completion of a S106 agreement to secure affordable housing within a 2 month period be adopted.

Members noted the comments of the Highways Authority and did not feel that these had been appropriately dealt with by the applicants.

It was suggested that the design was a substantial change from the extant permission as the peak would be higher and most of the length of the building on London Road would be substantially higher. The design was considered out of keeping with the majority of buildings in the area and another Member indicated that the area was historically characterised by low-rise Victorian design. The site was a principal gateway to a market town. The proposal failed to add to the quality of the area and did not respect the character of the area.

The motion was put to the vote and it was lost.

It was moved by the Chairman and duly seconded that planning permission be refused on grounds that the building would have an overbearing impact due to excessive bulk, height and scale, that it would be detrimental to the appearance of the street scene and that it would fail to respond positively to the character of the local area.

Members indicated that the development could create a “canyon” effect along London Road.

The motion was put to the vote and it was unanimously -

Resolved: That planning permission be REFUSED on the grounds that:

1          the  excessive bulk and height of the proposed development would have an overbearing impact on the street scene in a prominent gateway position into Sevenoaks, and the design would fail to respond positively to the local character of the area. This would be contrary to Policy EN1 of the Sevenoaks District Local Plan, Policies SP1 and SP7 of the Sevenoaks Core Strategy, Policy EN1 of the emerging Sevenoaks District Council Allocations and Development Management Plan, and the National Planning Policy Framework; and

2          in the absence of a completed S106 agreement to secure affordable housing, the development would fail to make adequate provision towards such housing in the District, contrary to Policy SP3 of the Sevenoaks Core Strategy.

The Committee noted the request of Cllr. Fleming that in the event of an appeal against refusal for Officers to make representations for planning conditions to control the materials used, in consultation with the local Members, and that parking spaces be attached to residential units.