Meeting Minutes:

Cllr A Layland was proposed by Cllr Baker and seconded by Cllr McGregor as Chairman there being no other nominations, members unanimously,

Resolved: Cllr A Layland be elected Chairman for the ensuing year.

Cllr J Aldridge was proposed by Cllr Baker and seconded by Cllr McGregor as Vice-Chairman and, there being no other nominations, members unanimously,

Resolved: Cllr J Aldridge be elected Vice-Chairman for the ensuing year.

Apologies for absence were received, noted, and accepted from Cllr Read and Cllr Todd.

None.

A member of the spoke regarding the application 22/01142/FUL Wheatsheaf Inn, item 7.4 on the agenda. The member of the public stated that when making the application to convert a barn into a three-bedroom dwelling a full structural survey had been completed to prove that the building was safe for conversion and in co-operation with Sevenoaks District Council had changed the roof from a flat roof design and would now be in keeping with the bricks. They went on to say that they had consulted with the neighbours and had received a favourable response, and from a consultation on Facebook. They also mentioned that the Town Council had supported the application the last time it was made, and that in this new application the frontage remained unchanged except for replacing the barn door with a new equivalent and replacing the windows.

Cllr Lloyd asked whether the project was intended as an addition to the existing building or as an entirely independent property (i.e., for sale/renting); The member of public answered that the latter was the case.

Cllr Layland asked whether members would agree to move item 7.4 forward to the first application to be considered so that the member of public could hear the decision. Members agreed unanimously.

Cllr Layland read a letter on behalf of a member to the public who was not present at the meeting: We intended to talk this evening about our planning application ref 22/01006/FUL - relating to an area of land in our garden at Ashcombe on Hilders Lane - but unfortunately, we are both away.

You might remember this property from previous consented applications. We currently have an existing consent to replace an outbuilding with a new 3-bedroom property and this application seeks to modify the consent by repositioning the consented building slightly by turning through approximately 90 degrees. 

As a result, this moves the proposed location of the building further away from nearby trees (which have TPOs on them) and slightly further away from our neighbours' boundaries. Please note that the repositioned footprint does not, in any way, encroach into the adjacent field.

In addition, the new design has a ridgeline no higher than the existing outbuilding or consented design plus both the building footprint and volume of the proposed home will be no larger than the already consented home.

We have made some internal configuration/room layout changes in this design (to capture the adjacent field views but also avoid any overlooking to adjacent gardens) as well as creating a larger basement

space. Please note that the consented house already had a basement within it and otherwise the overall design is very similar to before.

The consented double garage remains adjacent to the house and also further away from the protected trees. Part of the garage will now provide an office for home working whilst retaining a space for one car, with EV charger. As with the house, the garage footprint, volume and ridgeline do not change.

I hope this provides a useful overview of the background to our planning application for your consideration.

Meeting opened 19.39

Resolved: the minutes of the Planning Committee held on 25 April 2022 be duly signed by the Committee Chairman as a true and accurate record of the meeting; pages 9714-9716.

None

Recommendation: Members supported this application.

Members recommended that the Officer check whether covenants may have been placed on the properties at Albion Way.

Recommendation: Members supported this application

Recommendation: Members supported this application

Recommendation: Members supported to this application.

Noted

Noted

Noted.

Noted.

Noted.

Noted.

Noted.

Noted.

Noted.

Noted.

Noted.

Members noted that the Consultation does not include Edenbridge and will mention this on the Consultation website.

None.

6 June 2022