Erection of a 7 unit apartment block, with associated landscaping, external amenity space and parking facilities (comprising one private parking space per unit plus two visitor spaces) to the rear of the existing property at 31 Granville Road.

The application sought permission for the erection of a 7 unit apartment block, with associated landscaping, external amenity space and parking facilities (comprising one private parking space per unit plus two visitor spaces) to the rear of the existing property at 31 Granville Road. The application was referred to Development Control Committee by Councillor Fleming on the grounds that it would have a detrimental impact on the Conservation area and the setting of the locally Listed Building (31 Granville Road).

Members’ attention was brought to the main agenda papers.

The Committee was addressed by the following speakers:

Against the Application:   Max Buttinger

For the Application:          James Waterhouse

Parish Representative:      -

Local Member:                 Cllr. Clack on behalf of Cllr. Fleming

Members asked questions of clarification from the Officers. Members were advised that there was a condition for additional screening and the application differed from the previous application by it being smaller in units, and better landscaping with no loss of protected trees.

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

Members discussed the application and noted that no objection had been made by the Conservation Officer and discussed whether the application would conserve or enhance the conservation area and the locally listed building.

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)     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 building and access driveway/ parking area hereby permitted have been submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority. The development shall be carried out using the approved materials.  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.

To ensure that the appearance of the development enhances the character and appearance of the Conservation Area as supported by Policy EN4 of the Sevenoaks Allocations and Development Management Plan.

3)     Prior to the commencement of works, details of the proposed boundary treatments shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority. The approved details shall be installed prior to the first residential occupation of the hereby approved flats.

To ensure that the appearance of the development enhances the character and appearance of the Conservation Area as supported by Policy EN4 of the Sevenoaks Allocations and Development Management Plan.

4)     Prior to the commencement of works, a drainage scheme shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority, and include details of a method to prevent water run-off onto the highway. The approved details shall be implemented prior to the first residential occupation of the hereby approved flats.

In the interest of highways safety.

5)     Prior to the first residential occupation of the hereby approved flats, the parking area shown on the hereby approved plans shall be implemented and made available to the occupiers, and maintained thereafter.

In the interests of highways safety and in accordance with T2 of the Sevenoaks Allocations and Development Management Plan.

6)     The first 5m of the hereby approved access driveway, when measured from the boundary with the existing footpath into the first, shall be constructed with a bound material. The approved details shall be implemented prior to the first residential occupation of the hereby approved flats, and thereafter maintained as such.

In the interests of highways safety.

7)     The cycle storage solution of the hereby approved plans shall be installed and available to the residents of the hereby approved flats prior to the first occupation, and shall be retained and maintained as available to the residents at all times.

In accordance with T2 of the Sevenoaks Allocations and Development Management Plan and to encourage sustainable transport modes.

8)     Prior to the first residential occupation of the hereby approved flats, 2m x 2m pedestrian splays shall be provided from the driveway onto Granville Road. The splays shall be maintained thereafter.

In the interests of highways and pedestrian safety.

9)     Prior to the commencement of works, the following details shall be provided to and approved in writing by the local planning authority:
A) A plan showing the location of, all existing trees on the land which have a stem with a diameter exceeding 75mm when measured over the bark at a point 1.5m above ground level. The plan shall identify those trees which are to be retained and the crown spread of each retained tree.  In paragraphs 'b' to 'e' below references to a "retained tree" mean an existing tree which is to be retained in accordance with this plan.

B) Details of the species, diameter (measured in accordance with paragraph A) above), the approximate height, and an assessment of the general state of health and stability of each retained tree and of each tree which is on land adjacent to the site and to which paragraphs (C) and (D) below apply.

C) Details of any proposed topping or lopping of any retained tree, or of any tree on land adjacent to the site.

D) Details of any proposed alterations in existing ground levels and of the position of any proposed excavations or other engineering operations.  These details shall be illustrated by a series of cross-sections showing existing and proposed levels. These details shall include details of any cutting required for the installation of services to the building and how these cuttings will impact upon the root protection areas of trees to be retained.

E) Details of the specification and position of fencing or other measures to create a 'retained tree protected area' for the protection of any retained tree from damage before or during the course of development.

F) Details of the location and extent of any area on the land to be used during the construction period for storage (including materials, plant and machinery) and/or for siting any temporary ancillary structures, such as a site office.

The details approved shall be implemented and maintained in accordance with the approved plans until the cessation of works unless otherwise approved by the local planning authority.

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

10)  Prior to the commencement of works, details of any outside lighting shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority. The lighting shall be installed and maintained in accordance with any approved plans. Despite any development order, outside lighting shall only be provided in accordance with the approved details.

In order to conserve the character of the area and to protect neighbouring amenity in accordance with EN1 and EN2 of the Sevenoaks Allocations and Development Management Plan.

11)  Prior to the commencement of works, a scheme of ecological and biodiversity enhancements shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority. The details within the approved scheme shall be implemented prior to the first residential occupation of the hereby approved flats and shall be retained and maintained in accordance with the plan thereafter.

To enhance local biodiversity in accordance with SP11 of the Core Strategy.

12)  No development shall be carried out on the land until full details of both hard and soft landscape works have been submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority.  Those details shall include: planting plans (identifying existing planting, plants to be retained and new planting), written specifications (including cultivation and other operations associated with plant and grass establishment),-schedules of new plants (noting species, size of stock at time of planting and proposed number/densities where appropriate), and-a programme of implementation. 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.

To enhance the visual appearance of the area as supported by EN1 and EN4 of the Sevenoaks Allocations and Development Management Plan.

13)  Prior to the commencement of works, details of electric vehicle charging points shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority. The charging points shall be installed and made available to residents prior to the first occupation of the flats, and shall be maintained thereafter.

In order to promote sustainable transport modes in accordance with T3 of the Sevenoaks Allocations and Development Management Plan.

14)  Prior to the commencement of works, a scheme of suitable screening to the terraces and balconies, to prevent overlooking of the amenity space to the rear of Clarendon House, shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority. The screening shall be installed prior to the first residential occupation of the hereby approved dwellings, and shall be maintained thereafter.

To protect neighbouring amenity in accordance with EN2 of the Sevenoaks Allocations and Development Management Plan.

15)   Prior to the commencement of works, a Construction Management Plan shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority. The Construction Management Plan is to include details of the following:
(a) Routing of construction and delivery vehicles to / from site
(b) Parking and turning areas for construction and delivery vehicles and site personnel
(c) Timing of deliveries
(d) Provision of wheel washing facilities
(e) Temporary traffic management / signage.

The details provided shall be accorded with at all times throughout the construction process, and any deviation approved in writing by the local planning authority prior to the commencement of the variation.

In accordance with Kent County Council guidance and in order to ensure highways safety.

16)  The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved plans: 2830- 51 Rev B; 52 Rev C; 1; 53; 54; 55; 56; 57; 58; 722/203 Rev A; CSA93/101

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