Outline application for mixed use development comprising up to 300 new homes, up to 2.6 hectares of public open space and vehicular access with some matters reserved

The proposal was outline application for mixed use development comprising up to 300 new homes, up to 2.6 hectares of public open space and vehicular access with some matters reserved.

It had been referred to Committee at the discretion of the Chief Planning Officer, due to the scale of the development and wider public interest.

Members’ attention was brought to the main agenda papers and the late observation sheet which proposed amendments and changes to the recommendations before the Committee. 

The Committee was addressed by the following speakers:

Against the Application:        Veronica Cronin

For the Application:               Robin Buchanan

Parish Representative:          Parish Cllr. Trevor Bryant

Local Member:                       Cllr. Scholey

Members asked questions of clarification from the speakers and officers especially in relation to drainage, highways movements and density.  Officers referred to information already contained within the report.

It was moved by the Chairman and duly seconded that the recommendation in the agenda papers as amended by the late observations, to grant planning permission subject to conditions be agreed.

Members considered the application and expressed particular concern in relation to the proposed density and as a direct result the increased vehicle movements on St Johns Way and Enterprise Way and detrimental impact on highway safety.  Members discussed density numbers commenting that as the site did not include the land at Hampsell Mead Farm, then pro rata the site should only be considered for up to 254 units.  Members were advised that they could only consider the application before them which was for up to 300 units.

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

The Chairman moved and it was duly seconded that the application should be refused as by virtue of its density would be contrary to ADMP Policy H1(p) and be out of character with the neighbouring residential area of St. John’s Way.  The resultant traffic from the excessive density would be detrimental to the amenities occupiers of properties in St John’s Way could reasonably expect to enjoy and lead to an unacceptable conflict between vehicles and pedestrians seeking to use the existing open space contrary to ADMP Policy EN2.  The proposed scheme also made no provision for a contribution towards the Council’s Affordable Housing initiative and nor had it been demonstrated that such a contribution would render the scheme unviable.  The scheme was therefore contrary to the provision of Policy SP3 of the Sevenoaks Core Strategy.

Having listened to Members’ concerns in relation to highways safety the Kent Highways Services Officer advised that he was confident that the figures provided were robust and would not form a defendable reason for refusal. 

Cllr. Miss. Stack strongly disagreed with the advice from Kent Highways Services requesting that this be formally minuted.

The motion was put to the vote and it was

Resolved:  That the outline planning permission be refused on the following grounds

1)        The proposed development by virtue of its density would be contrary to ADMP Policy H1(p) and be out of character with the neighbouring residential area of St. John’s Way.  The resultant traffic from the excessive density would be detrimental to the amenities occupiers of properties in St John’s Way could reasonably expect to enjoy and lead to an unacceptable conflict between vehicles and pedestrians seeking to use the existing open space contrary to ADMP Policy EN2.

2)        The proposed scheme makes no provision for a contribution towards the Council’s Affordable Housing initiative and nor has it been demonstrated that such a contribution would render the scheme unviable.  This scheme is therefore contrary to the provision of Policy SP3 of the Sevenoaks Core Strategy.