Change of use of land for long stay car parking for a period of up to 18 months from January 2018.

The Chairman allowed a few minutes reading time to ensure all present had had the opportunity to read the late observations.

The proposal sought a change of use of land for long stay car parking for a period of up to 18 months from January 2018.  The application had been referred to the Committee as the Council was the applicant for the submitted scheme.

Members’ attention was brought to the main agenda papers and late observation sheet which gave further information but made no amendments to the recommendations within the report.

The Committee was addressed by the following speakers:

Against the Application:    Jacquie Andrews (Vine Preservation Association)

For the Application:          Matthew Blythin (Agent)

Parish Representative:      -

Local Member:                 Cllr. Parson

Members asked questions of clarification from the speakers and officers in relation to impact on tree roots and returning the site to its former use. In response to questions Members were advised that it was a question of impact on the conservation area versus public benefit as the harm identified would be less than substantial harm under the NPPF assessment of harm to a heritage asset.  The only earthworks would be in relation to the changes to the access, which would be restored when the temporary car park use ceased.

At 10.24 p.m. it was moved by the Chairman that, in accordance with rule 16.1 Part 2 of the Constitution, Members extend the meeting beyond 10.30 p.m. to enable the Committee to complete all the business on the agenda.

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

It was moved by the Chairman and duly seconded that the recommendations within the report, be agreed.

Members discussed the issues raised within the report and at the meeting, and considered the balance to be made between the impact of the temporary permission and the public benefit.

The motion was put to the vote and it was

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

1)   This planning permission is granted for a temporary period up until 30th June 2019. By the date this permission expires, the temporary car park surfacing, asphalt vehicular access and associated works shall be removed, the site shall be restored in accordance with a scheme of restoration that has been submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority and the use of the site shall return to its former use.

To reflect the temporary nature of the development and in order to safeguard the longer term function of the land as allocated open space, in accordance with policy GI2 of the Sevenoaks Allocations and Development Management Plan.

2)   The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved plans: 10485-T-01 Rev.P3 and 10485-T-01 Rev.P3.

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

3)   No development shall be carried out on the land until full details of the surfacing of the temporary car park have been submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority. The details shall include a method statement as to how the surfacing will be constructed, how the parking spaces will be marked out and how the surfacing would be inspected and maintained. The development shall be carried out in complete accordance with the approved details.

To prevent damage to the trees on site and adjacent to the site during the construction period and ensure their retention thereafter as supported by policy EN1 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.

4)   No development shall be carried out on the land until full details of any necessary works to trees have been submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority. The development shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details.

To prevent damage to the trees on site and adjacent to the site during the construction period and ensure their retention thereafter as supported by policy EN1 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.

5)   No development shall be carried out on the land until full details of tree protection measures to be used during the installation of the temporary surfaces hereby permitted have been submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority. The development shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details.

To prevent damage to the mature trees on site and adjacent to it during the construction period and ensure their retention thereafter as supported by policy EN1 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.

6)   The temporary car park use shall not commence until details of how the temporary car park will be managed have been submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority. The development shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details.

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

7)   No lighting shall be installed on the site until details of lighting, including all appropriate lighting controls, has been submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority. Lighting shall then be installed in accordance with the approved details and removed when the temporary car park use ceases.

To safeguard the visual amenity of the area and the residential amenity of adjoining and nearby residential properties in accordance with policies EN1, EN2 and EN4 of the Allocations and Development Management Plan.

8)   No signage shall be installed on the site until details of signage has been submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority. Signage shall then be installed in accordance with the approved details and removed when the temporary car park use ceases.

To safeguard the visual amenity of the area in accordance with policies EN1 and EN4 of the Allocations and Development Management Plan.

Informatives

1) The site forms part of an area of common land. The applicant should therefore ensure that they have the correct consents from the Secretary of State prior to commencing the laying of any surfacing on the site.

2) The applicant should seek the approval of Sevenoaks Town Council prior to carrying out any works to the trees on or adjacent to the site.

(As advised, Cllr. Raikes took part in the debate but took no part in the voting thereon.)