Demolition of existing dwellings and outbuildings, erection of two replacement dwellings, change of use of part of site to be incorporated as residential curtilage and creation of vehicular access on to Valley Road.

The application was for the demolition of existing dwellings and outbuildings, erection of two replacement dwellings, change of use of part of site to be incorporated as residential curtilage and creation of vehicular access onto Valley Road.

 

The application had been referred to Committee at the request of Cllr. Parkin on the unusual history of the site and the need to redevelop it.

 

Members’ attention was brought to the main agenda papers and the late observation sheet which 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:              Martin Hunt

Parish Representative:         Lawrence Moss

Local Member:                      -

 

Members asked questions of clarification from the Speakers and Officers.

 

It was moved by the Chairman and duly seconded that the recommendation in the report to refuse planning permission be agreed.

 

Members discussed whether the proposal would amount to encroachment on the Green Belt and whether the very special circumstances of the site were sufficient for development.  The Planning Manager advised Members that the only brownfield land on the application site was the existing house and curtilage where plot 1 was proposed to be sited but the site of plot 2 was a greenfield site. Some Members thought that the proposal was an improvement and enhanced the site and that it was a necessary development.

 

The motion to refuse planning permission was put to the vote and it was lost

 

It was moved and duly seconded that planning permission be granted on the grounds that the history of a murder and suicides in the existing building, together with the potential of permitted development extensions and the improvement to openness due to the removal of existing structures constituted very special circumstances sufficient to outweigh the presumption against inappropriate development in the Green Belt. Conditions should include that permitted development rights on the site were removed and the submission of ecological details.

 

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: P.11.2318, P.12.2318, P.13.2318, P.14.2318, P.15.2318, P.16.2318, P.17.2318, P.18.2318, Design and Access Statement.

 

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

 

 3)     Details of any external lighting shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Council before the first occupation of the development. Despite any development order, outside lighting shall only be provided in accordance with the approved details.

 

To mitigate the impact of development on nature conservation and to preserve the visual appearance of the area as supported by policies EN1 and EN17B; of the Sevenoaks District Local Plan.

 

 4)     Notwithstanding the provisions of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 as amended (or any Order revoking or re-enacting those Orders) no development falling within Classes A, B, C, D and E of Part 1 of Schedule 2 to the said Order shall be carried out.

 

To prevent inappropriate development in the Green Belt and to safeguard the openness and visual amenity of the area; as supported by Policy EN1 of the Sevenoaks District Local Plan.

 

 5)     The development hereby approved shall achieve a minimum of Code for Sustainable Homes Level 3. Evidence shall be provided to the Local Planning Authority:                                   

 

i)      Prior to the commencement of development, of how it is intended the development will achieve a minimum of Code for Sustainable Homes Level 3 or alternative as agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority; and

ii)    Prior to the first occupation of the development, that the development has achieved a minimum of Code for Sustainable Homes Level 3 or alternative as agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

In the interests of environmental sustainability and reducing the risk of climate change in accordance with policy SP2 of the Core Strategy (2011).

 

 6)     A hard and soft landscaping scheme shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority prior to any superstructure works commencing on site. The landscaping scheme shall include the following details:

a)  soft plantings, including trees, grass and turf areas, shrub and herbaceous areas; their location, species (use of native species where possible) and size;

b)  enclosures: including types, dimensions and treatments of walls, fences, pedestrian and vehicular gates, screen walls, barriers, rails, retaining walls and location, species and size of hedges;

c)  hard landscaping: including ground surfaces, kerbs, edges, ridge and flexible pavings, unit paving, steps and if applicable synthetic surfaces; and

d)  any other landscaping feature(s) forming part of the scheme.

 

All landscaping in accordance with the approved scheme shall be completed / planted during the first planting season following practical completion of the development hereby approved or in accordance with a programme agreed with the Local Planning Authority. The landscaping and tree planting shall have a two year maintenance / watering provision following planting and any existing tree shown to be retained or trees or shrubs to be planted as part of the approved landscaping scheme which are removed, die, become severely damaged or diseased within five years of completion of the development shall be replaced with the same species or an approved alternative to the satisfaction of the Local Planning Authority within the next planting season. The development shall be carried out strictly in accordance with the details so approved and shall be maintained as such thereafter.

 

To preserve and enhance the visual appearance of the area as supported by policies EN1 and EN17B of the Sevenoaks District Local Plan.

 

 7)     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 dwellings 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 enhances the character and appearance of the area as supported by Policy EN1 of the Sevenoaks District Local Plan.

 

 8)     No development shall take place, including any site clearance works, until details of wheel-washing facilities have been submitted and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The scheme shall be implemented in accordance with the approved details and shall be retained and utilised throughout the construction of the development.

 

In the interest of highway safety.

 

 9)     Prior to the commencement of development, a map of the site showing where suitable reptile habitat is located, and if necessary a reptile survey, and full details of appropriate measures to mitigate and enhance the biodiversity and nature conservation value of the site shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The measures shall be implemented in full accordance with the details so approved prior to the first occupation of the development.

 

In order to protect nature conservation and enhance the biodiversity value of the site in accordance with policy SP11 of the Core Strategy (2011), policies EN1 and EN17B of the Sevenoaks District Local Plan and the National Planning Policy Framework.

 

10)    Prior to the commencement of development, appropriate bat emergence surveys shall be carried out and full details of an appropriate bat mitigation strategy and measures to mitigate and enhance the biodiversity and nature conservation value of the site shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The measures shall be implemented in full accordance with the details so approved prior to the first occupation of the development.

 

In order to protect nature conservation and enhance the biodiversity value of the site in accordance with policy SP11 of the Core Strategy (2011), policies EN1 and EN17B of the Sevenoaks District Local Plan and the National Planning Policy Framework.

 

11)    Prior to the commencement of development all existing structures and buildings on the site identified on drawing P.10.2318 shall be demolished and all demolished items removed from the site..

 

In recognition of the very special circumstances of the case and to mitigate harm to the openness of the Green Belt.

 

12)    The vehicle crossover and sightlines to Plot 2 shall be provided in strict accordance with the details shown on the hereby approved Diagram No.4 (Sheet 1 of 2) prior to the first occupation of the development and retained and maintained as such thereafter.

 

In the interests of road safety and convenient access.