Meeting Minutes:
Planning and Transport
| Meeting Date: | Monday 2 Mar 2026 |
|---|---|
| Time: | 19:30 |
| Councillors | Jon Aldridge Chairman, Angela Baker, Bill Cummings, Michael Gemmell Smith, Alan Layland, Margot McArthur, Stuart McGregor, Vince Parker, Angela Read Vice-Chairwoman, Michael Stockdale, Jeff Streets, Bob Todd. |
| Committee: | Planning and Transport |
| Venue: | Rickards Hall. 72a High Street Edenbridge, TN8 5AR Kent |
| Notes: | |
| Summary: |
Agenda
Minutes
Apologies were received and accepted from Councillors B Cummings and V Parker.
Resolved: the minutes of the Planning Committee held on 23rd February 2026 be duly signed by the Committee Chairman as a true and accurate record of the meeting; (pages 2023-126/1-4).
Recommendation: Members objected to this application and wished to maintain their previous comments as amended below:
- As a standalone application it does not work, and knowing it had previously been part of planning application 24/02765/OUT which was withdrawn. This reduces the benefits to Edenbridge.
- Green Belt – being considered as a standalone site, there is
- Loss of Green Belt.
- As a site on its own, represents inefficient use of Green Belt land.
- No exceptional circumstances to justify its loss from the Green Belt.
- Density does not make sense as a standalone application with densities lower than previous application. Members also noted the higher densities close to the flood plain and lower at the front of the site.
- Access – the land is currently inaccessible relying on the development of 20/02988/OUT.
- Access must be via the Four Elms Road site; it cannot be accessed safely from Skinners Lane or other surrounding roads.
- It fails NPPF 115-116 as a standalone allocation.
- The traffic survey relates to this one site, but should be considered as part of the wider Local Plan.
- SUDs – The site is 38.5% in Flood Zone 2 and 0.52% Flood Zone 3. The development will increase runoff water and potential flooding on the site which is clay. Mitigations are needed for the cumulative impact of development along St Brelades Stream (Kent and Surrey Golf Course, Champions Way, Spitals Cross and this site).
- Infrastructure – it is unclear the infrastructure benefits to the town as would not be part of a combine application, thus houses but with not infrastructure commitments.
The Council note that this site has been included in the draft Local Plan Regulation 18 (3). The Council has submitted a representation to this site – EDEN12 Land south west of Skinners Farm Road. It supported this site only as part of a joined-up fully integrated strategic northern development with EDEN9 and the approved Four Elms Road scheme (20/02988/OUT), subject to flood mitigation, biodiversity management, and safe access via Four Elms Road.
It does not support this site as a standalone allocation.
The Town Council would expect to receive a full Design statement for the wider site including application 20/02988./OUT and showing the full infrastructure benefits for Edenbridge.
Recommendation: Members wished to repeat their objection to this application:
- This application is inappropriate development in the greenbelt.
- Very special circumstances do not apply to this application.
Recommendation: Members objected to this application:
- There are no documents regarding mitigation for loss of habit for the bat population.
- There are no comments from Sutton and East Surrey Water
- No documents are present regarding sewage management.
Noted. This appeal will be heard through the Fast Tract Process.
None.
None.
Members received notice of the change of use via residents., and noted that in 2008 application No 08/02965/FUL was refused on the grounds that 1) The traffic associated with the development would create unacceptable traffic conditions on the local road network and would interfere with the free flow of traffic and safety of the users of the highway. This conflicts with policy EN1 of the Sevenoaks District Local Plan. and 2) The proposal does not provide for adequate vehicular and pedestrian access to the site to the detriment of road safety. This conflicts with policy EN1 of the Sevenoaks District Local Plan.
The property’s previous use as an office and its proposed use as a day nursery both fall within Class E and are therefore permitted under permitted development rights.
Members noted that the Town Council is not required to comment on this application, however they raised concerns regarding the potential for increased traffic and parking problems .
The Town Clerk was asked to notify Kent Highways in case they wished to comment on any Highways related matters.
None.