The temporary change of use and formation of a car park (up to 12 months) with access and associated arboricultural works.

The proposal was for the temporary change of use and formation of a car park (up to 12 months) with access and associated arboricultural works.  It had been referred to Committee as the District Council was the applicant for the submitted scheme.

Members’ attention was brought to the first late observation sheet, which set out 5 additional recommended conditions, amendments to recommended conditions 2, 6, 8 and 9 in the report and an additional informative.

Resolved:  That planning permission be granted subject to the following conditions and informative

1)   This planning permission is granted for a temporary period of twelve months only, from the date of this permission. By the date this permission expires, the rubber mesh matting, tarmaced vehicular access and associated works shall be removed, the car park use shall cease and the site shall be restored in accordance with a landscaping scheme that has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. To ensure that the existing grassland re-establishes the landscaping scheme shall include a simple long term management plan for the site.

      To reflect the temporary nature of the development and in order to safeguard the longer term function of the land as an allocated employment site, in accordance with policy EMP1 of the Sevenoaks Allocations and Development Management Plan and policy SP8 of the Sevenoaks Core Strategy.

2)   The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved plans: DHA/11402/01, DHA/11402/02 and 11403-T-01 Rev.P4.

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

3)   The development shall be carried out wholly in accordance with the Arboricultural Impact Assessment & Arboricultural Method Statement dated 8th April 2016.

      To secure the retention of the mature trees on the site and adjacent to it and to safeguard their long-term health as supported by Policy EN1 of the Sevenoaks Allocations and Development Management Plan.

4)   The surfacing of the first 5m of the access from the edge of the highway shall be made up of a bound material.

      In the interest of highway safety as supported by policy EN1 of the Sevenoaks Allocations and Development Management Plan.

5)   The new access to the temporary car park and the pedestrian crossing area shown on the approved plans shall be completed prior to the temporary car park use of the site hereby approved commences and shall be maintained thereafter until the temporary use ceases.

      In the interest of highway safety as supported by policy EN1 of the Sevenoaks Allocations and Development Management Plan.

6)   No development shall be carried out on the land until a comprehensive Construction Management Plan, which should include (i) details of car parking for construction personnel, (ii) undertaking that no vehicles will be permitted to reverse into or out of the site except under the supervision of a banksman, (iii) details of wheel washing facilities and procedures, and (iv) proposed times for construction work to be carried out, has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The development shall be carried out wholly in accordance with the Code of Construction Practice dated 20 May 2016.

      In the interests of highway safety and amenity as supported by policy EN1 and EN2 of the Sevenoaks Allocations and Development Management Plan. The Local Planning Authority is satisfied that it is fundamental to the development permitted to address this issue before development commences and that without this safeguard planning permission should not be granted.

7)   The rubber mesh system approved to be laid for the temporary car park shall be installed, regularly inspected and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions to ensure that the rubber mesh system meets the expected performance of the product.

      To avoid impacts on the surface water drainage capacity of the site as supported by the National Planning Policy Framework.

8)   The recommendations, mitigation and enhancements contained within sections 4 and 5 of the Extended Phase I Habitat Survey, dated March 2016, and section 4 of the Reptile Report Survey, dated May 2016, shall be fully adhered to.

      To ensure the long term retention of biodiversity in the area as supported by the National Planning Policy Framework and policy SP11 of the Core Strategy.

9)   Prior to the commencement of the use of the temporary car park by the public details of measures to minimise the risk of crime that are to be incorporated into the development, according to the principles and physical security requirements of Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED), have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The approved measures shall be implemented before the first use of the temporary car park and thereafter retained.

      In the interest of security, crime prevention and community safety and in accordance with the National Planning Policy Framework and policy EN1 of the Sevenoaks Allocations and Development Management Plan.

10) No works shall be carried out to the highway until a S278 Agreement has been entered into with the Highways Authority.

In the interest of highway safety as supported by policy EN1 of the Sevenoaks Allocations and Development Management Plan.

11) The visibility splays shown on the approved plan drawing number 11403-T-01 Rev.P4 shall be provided and maintained with no obstructions over 0.6 metres above carriageway level within the splays prior to the use of the site commencing.

In the interest of highway safety as supported by policy EN1 of the Sevenoaks Allocations and Development Management Plan.

12) The mitigation and enhancements detailed within the submitted reptile survey report dated May 2016 shall be fully implemented. No development works can commence (including vegetation clearance) on site until the reptile mitigation has been completed.

To ensure the long term retention of biodiversity in the area as supported by the National Planning Policy Framework and policy SP11 of the Core Strategy.

13) Prior to any works to trees on the site being carried out an ecologist must examine the site and if any nesting birds are present all works in that area must cease.

To ensure the long term retention of biodiversity in the area as supported by the National Planning Policy Framework and policy SP11 of the Core Strategy.

14) No lighting shall be installed on the site until details of lighting has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. Lighting shall then be installed in accordance with the approved details.

To ensure the long term retention of biodiversity in the area as supported by the National Planning Policy Framework and policy SP11 of the Core Strategy.

Informatives

1)   Planning permission does not convey any approval for construction of the required vehicular crossing, or any other works within the highway for which a statutory licence must be obtained. Applicants should contact Kent County Council - Highways and Transportation (web: www.kent.gov.uk/roads_and_transport.aspx or telephone: 03000 418181) in order to obtain the necessary Application Pack. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure, before the development hereby approved is commenced, that all necessary highway approvals and consents where required are obtained and that the limits of highway boundary are clearly established in order to avoid any enforcement action being taken by the Highway Authority. The applicant must also ensure that the details shown on the approved plans agree in every aspect with those approved under such legislation and common law. It is therefore important for the applicant to contact KCC Highways and Transportation to progress this aspect of the works prior to commencement on site.

2)   The applicant should be aware of the need to gain the appropriate consents prior to erecting any signage within or around the application site.