The Portfolio Holder for Planning presented the report which had been considered the night before at the Planning Advisory Committee and unanimously accepted.  He stated that there were a treasury of buildings and landmarks within the area and that this was a good way of preserving them.

The Conservation Officer advised that the report actioned policy EN4 of the Allocations and Development Management Plan (ADMP) by creating a Sevenoaks District Local List Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) and sought adoption of it including the first round of locally listed assets proposed, and the second tranche of identified assets going out to public consultation along with the use of Article 4 Directions. 

The Chairman of the Planning Advisory Committee was invited to address the Cabinet and advised that the Planning  Advisory Committee had considered and debated the same report and agreed to recommend it to Cabinet subject to an additional recommendation that approval of the final version of the supplementary planning document be delegated to the Portfolio Holder in consultation with the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Planning Advisory Committee.  A draft minute had been tabled for reference, the full draft minutes were yet to be produced and published.

Members expressed concern and recommended communication with local members be improved.  Some Members sympathised with the additional encumbrance* the SPD placed upon property owners, although it was acknowledged that in reality if the SPD did not exist the Conservation Officer would still have the ability to comment on any planning applications and would in affect the outcome would be the same.  Therefore arguably the SPD, in effect, gave them notice. It was acknowledged that there was still more freedom than if it were made a conservation area.

Public Sector Equality Duty

Members noted that consideration had been given to impacts under the Public Sector Equality Duty.

The Chairman moved and it was

Resolved:  That

a)     the draft Sevenoaks District Local List Supplementary Planning Document (including the first round of locally listed assetsproposed) be adopted with authority delegated to the Portfolio Holder for Planning to approve the final draft in consultation with the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Planning Advisory Committee;

b)     the second tranche of identified assets be approved for public consultation;

c)     the consideration of the focused use of Article 4 Directions be approved, to remove limited permitted development rights which would result in planning permission being requiredfor

i)   Demolition of Locally Listed Buildings outside a conservationarea;

ii)Alteration (including removal) of locally listed boundaries andrailings, inside and outside a conservationarea;

d)     the communication of the proposed Article 4Direction if necessary; and

e)     the Portfolio Holder for Planning, in conjunction with Officers, draft and send letters to all affected by the Sevenoaks District Local List Supplementary Planning Document.

*Amendment to minute agreed at Cabinet on 15 June 2017.