Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Bardoe, Burrell, Hayes and Mote

The Board noted the appointment of Councillors Garden and D L Reynolds, as substitute Members

The Clerk to the Board explained the fire evacuation procedure and the arrangements and constraints relating to the filming or recording of the meeting.

To receive declarations of interest from Members including the terms(s) of the Grant of Dispensation (if any) by the Audit Board or Managing Director.

There were no declarations of interest received.

                        RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the Development Control Board held on 17 January 2019 be confirmed as a correct record of that meeting.

It was reported that there were no matters referred to the Board for consideration.

It was noted that there were no urgent items for the Board to consider.

Proposal

The demolition of existing buildings, conversion of Blocks K (Mansion House), R (The Lodge) and W (Rose Cottage) for residential use and the construction of new buildings to provide a total of 156 residential dwellings (Use Class C3), and provision of associated infrastructure including access roads, car parking and open space and landscaping.

Recommendation

Approval, subject to referral to the Secretary of State.

The Board considered a report on an application for the demolition of existing buildings, the conversion of Blocks K (Mansion House), R (The Lodge) and W (Rose Cottage) for residential use, the construction of new buildings to provide a total of 156 residential dwellings (Use Class C3), and the provision of associated infrastructure including access roads, car parking and open space and landscaping at this site.

The Chairman introduced Mr Hall who spoke against the application and Mr Wheeler who supported it.

Members’ attention was drawn to the update circulated.

Members expressed concern at the proposed inappropriate development of Green Belt land’ that some of the special circumstances identified as mitigating aspects of the development were not proven, and not sufficient to outweigh the harm to the Green Belt.  In addition Members noted that the proposal did not comply with the Council’s policy requirement for affordable housing, the unsustainable location of the site, the loss of trees, lighting impacts and the general overdevelopment of the site.  Members also considered that that the development did not satisfy the provisions of the Council’s Windfall housing sites policy.  

RESOLVED

That the Application be refused for the following reasons:

1.    The development is considered to be inappropriate development in the Green Belt which results in harm to the openness and the purposes of the Green Belt which has not been outweighed by very special circumstances.  The proposal is therefore considered to be contrary to adopted Policy DP22 of the Dartford Development Policies Plan 2017, Policy CS13 of the adopted Core Strategy 2011 and the National Planning Policy Framework.

2.    The development will result in detriment to the visual amenity and character of the Green Belt by virtue of the introduction of buildings on land which is currently open, the introduction of lighting to the area and the loss of mature protected trees on the site.  The proposal is therefore contrary to Policies DP22 and DP25 of the adopted Dartford Development Policies Plan 2017.

3.    The proposal will result in the significant loss of the quantity of open space on the site, which has previously been used as a playing field and is identified as Borough Open Space on the Proposals Map. It is not considered that it has been adequately demonstrated that the existing provision is surplus to current or future requirements or that there is replacement provision within walking distance.  The proposal is therefore contrary to Policy DP24 of the Dartford Development Policies Plan 2017.

4.    The proposal fails to provide adequate affordable housing required to meet local needs and is therefore contrary to Policy CS19:1 of the adopted Core Strategy 2011 and Policy DP9 of the adopted Dartford Development Policies Plan 2017.

5.    The proposal is unplanned windfall development and the Council considers that it fails to comply with Policy DP6 of the adopted Dartford Development Policies Plan 2017 and policy CS10: 4 &5 of the adopted Core Strategy 2011 by virtue of the facts that: the proposal is not required to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 94.

Proposal

The demolition of the existing buildings and erection of a college building comprising 2,836 square metres of educational floor space and the provision of associated infrastructure including drainage works, open space, fencing and landscaping.

Recommendation

Approval

The Board considered a report on an application for the demolition of existing buildings and the erection of a college building comprising 2,836 square metres of educational floor space and the provision of associated infrastructure including drainage works, open space, fencing and landscaping.

The Chairman introduced Mr Gleed who spoke in support of the application.

Members’ attention was drawn to the update circulated and to the requirement to consult the Secretary of State on the application.  The Development Manager advised Members that the S106 agreement set out in the report was no longer required as Agenda Item 6 above had been refused.

RESOLVED

That the Application be approved subject to:

1. Consultation with the Secretary of State and subject to the Council being notified that the application would not be called in, or the expiry of 21 days from the Secretary of State’s receipt of the referral documents;

2.    the Conditions, Reasons and Informatives set out in the report; and,

3.    the amended Conditions 3 and 5 as set out in the Update report.

Proposal

The erection of a detached demountable warehouse building for a temporary period until 31st December 2019 to replace a fire-damaged building

Recommendation

Approval

The Board received an application for the erection of a detached demountable warehouse building for a temporary period until 31st December 2019 to replace a fire-damaged building.

The Chairman introduced Mr Mani who spoke against the application.

Mr Mani raised new concerns about surface water run – off into Central Road and noise from fork lift trucks now using the area close to housing.  Members discussed the imposition of Conditions to address these concerns.

Members’ attention was drawn to the update circulated.

RESOLVED

That the application be approved subject to the Conditions, Reasons and Informatives set out in the Report and an additional Informative set out in the update report also subject to the following additional Conditions, Reasons and Informative:

05        Within 3 months of the date of this permission, surface water drainage shall have been implemented on the site, in accordance with details to have been submitted to and approved by the local planning authority. Such drainage should be designed to prevent run-off into the adjacent roads or other sites and to ensure there is no pollution of controlled waters. Should the approved drainage details not have been implemented within 3 months of the permission, the planning permission hereby granted shall expire and the building shall be removed from the site and the land reinstated to the satisfaction of the local authority.

Reason: In order to prevent surface water run-off outside of the site and to prevent the pollution of controlled waters in accordance with Policy DP5 of the adopted Local Plan.

06        Within 6 weeks of the date of this permission, barriers shall have been erected between the building hereby approved and the eastern and southern boundaries of the site in accordance with details to have been submitted to and approved by the local planning authority. Such barriers shall be designed in such a way to prevent use of the enclosed area by forklift trucks and shall be maintained for the duration of this planning permission. Should the approved barrier details not have been implemented within 6 weeks of this permission unless otherwise agreed in writing by the local planning authority, the planning permission hereby granted shall expire and the building shall be removed from the site and the land reinstated to the satisfaction of the local authority.

Reason: In order to prevent noise and disturbance of neighbouring residents in accordance with policy DP5 of the adopted Local Plan.

Informative

02        Care should be taken to ensure that all fuels, oils and any other potentially contaminating materials or hazardous materials should be stored in compliance with the relevant regulations in the interests of health and safety and in order to prevent accidental/unauthorised discharge to ground. The areas for storage should not drain to any surface water system.

Proposal

An outline application for the demolition of the existing dwelling and outbuildings, and the erection of two pairs of semi-detached dwellings (4 units in total) with associated parking and amenity space (consideration of access only).

Recommendation

Approval

The Board considered an Outline application for the demolition of existing dwelling and outbuildings, and the erection of 2 pairs of semi-detached dwellings (4 units in total) with associated parking and amenity space (consideration of access only) at this site.

The Chairman introduced Mr Fuller who spoke against the application and Mrs Dixon who supported it.

Members’ attention was drawn to the update circulated.

Members requested that should the Application be approved the reserved matters application pursuant to the Outline Application under consideration be reported to the Board for consideration.

RESOLVED

That the Application be approved subject to the Conditions, Reasons and Informatives set out in the Report

Proposal

The replacement of an existing pitched roof with a mansard roof to provide 2 self-contained 2-bed apartments within the roof space at second storey level and the  reconfiguration of the existing curtilage and parking area to provide amenity space, bin store, cycle store and 3 additional car parking spaces.

Recommendation

Approval

A report was presented on an application for the replacement of an existing pitched roof with a mansard roof to provide two self-contained two - bedroomed apartments within the roof space at second storey level, together with the reconfiguration of the existing curtilage and parking area to provide amenity space, bin store, cycle store and 3 additional car parking spaces.

RESOLVED

That the application be approved subject to the Conditions, Reasons and Informative set out in the report.

Proposal

The demolition of an existing detached double garage and the construction of a proposed two storey, three bedroom detached dwelling, with detached garage.

Recommendation

Approval

A report on an application for the demolition of an existing detached double garage and construction of proposed two storey 3 bedroom detached dwelling was considered by the Board.

The Chairman introduced Mr Pullum who spoke against the application and Mr Hall who supported it.

Members’ attention was drawn to the update circulated.

RESOLVED

That consideration of the application be deferred to allow a visit to the area of the development to allow Members to familiarise themselves with the site.

Proposal

The change of use of 43m2 of land as play space to rear of church and erection of timber fence (retrospective application)

Recommendation

Refusal

The Board received a report on an application for the change of use of 43 square metres of land, to rear of the church, for play space and the erection of a timber fence (retrospective application).

The Chairman introduced Mrs Copley who spoke against the Officer recommendation to refuse the application.

RESOLVED

That consideration of the application be deferred to enable officers to negotiate an acceptable style of boundary treatment to enclose the space and suitable operating hours for the play space.

Proposal

An application for Listed Building Consent for the change of use of 43m2 of land as play space to rear of church and the erection of a timber fence (retrospective application).

Recommendation

Refusal

The Board considered an application for Listed Building Consent for the change of use of 43 metres square of land to rear of church for play space, and erection of timber fence (retrospective application)

The Chairman introduced Mr Copley who spoke against the Officer recommendation to refuse the application.

Members’ attention was drawn to the update circulated.

RESOLVED

That the application be refused for the reasons set out in the report.

Proposal

The erection of 3 boundary walls comprising brick piers, infill metal railings, and close boarded fence panels, and the re-positioning of an existing vehicle crossover (retrospective application).

Recommendation.

Approval

The Board received a report on an application for the erection of 3 boundary walls comprising brick piers and infill metal railings and close boarded fence panels (part retrospective application) at this property.

The Chairman introduced Mr Brown who spoke against the application and Mr Clay who supported it.

RESOLVED

That the application be approved subject to the Conditions Reasons and Informative set out in the report.

The Board received a report on the performance of the Development Control Section for the three month period October to December 2018.

The Board noted the information provided, and congratulated Officers on the high level of service being maintained.

Members received, for information, a report on the decisions taken by Officers under delegated powers for the period 4 January to 30 January 2019.

                        RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.