Planning Committee 13 February 2014 SCHEDULE OF DECISIONS Part 2 - Applications for which PERMISSION is recommended 2.1 SW/13/1192 (Case 23786) Borden Location : Oakdene, Woodgate Lane, Borden, Sittingbourne, Kent, ME9 7QB Proposal : Variation of condition 1 of SW/11/1400 to allow stationing of two mobile homes. Applicant/Agent : Miss Sally Laundon, Oakdene, Woodgate Lane, Danaway, Sittingbourne, Kent, ME9 7QB Mr Ferrin, an objector, spoke against the proposal. In response to a question, the Planner explained that some trees had been removed but these were ones that were not covered by the TPO on the site. He further explained that the application had been amended to include the access driveway, as this had not been included in the original application. Discussion ensued on the use of the additional living space and the ages of the children who would be living there. The Planner confirmed that he believed that they were aged early/mid teens. Members raised concern that, bearing in mind young people would be in one of the mobile homes, they should be sited closer together. The Planner explained that due to the levels on the site it would be difficult to site the two mobile homes close together. Members raised concern with lack of clarity on the plans of the exact location of the mobile homes and the distance of the mobile home with young people in, from the applicant’s home. Some Members considered there was a duty to ensure the children were safe. However, Members also considered that who actually lived in the homes was not a planning matter and they could not see grounds for refusing the application. The Planner confirmed that this was not a planning matter. On being put to the vote, the motion for approval was lost. Councillor Bryan Mulhern moved a motion for deferral on the grounds of requesting further information on the number of children on the site and their ages; clarity on the size and scale of the submitted plans; and more visual aids to enable a true understanding of the site. This was seconded by Councillor Andy Booth. On being put to the vote the motion was agreed. Resolved: That application SW/13/1192 be deferred to the next Planning Committee to allow for further information to be sought on the number of children on the site and their ages; clarity on the size and scale of the submitted plans; and more visual aids (aerial photographs) to enable a true understanding of the site. - 457 - Planning Committee 13 February 2014 2.2 SW/13/1538 (Case 16860) Boughton Location : Roots Kitchens Bedrooms and Bathrooms, Vine Farm, Stockers Hill, Boughton Under Blean, Faversham, Kent ME13 9AB Proposal : Two storey extension to showroom and storage building to accommodate increased storage and showroom floor area Applicant/Agent : Mrs Kathy Root, C/O Mr Patrick Jordan, 8 Heron House, Faversham Reach, Upper Brents, Faversham, Kent, ME13 7LA This application was considered at the re-convened Planning Committee on 18 February 2014. 2.3 SW/13/1539 (Case 16860) Boughton Location : Roots Kitchens Bedrooms and Bathrooms, Vine Farm, Stockers Hill, Boughton Under Blean, Faversham, Kent ME13 9AB Proposal : Conversion and enlargement of existing farm building to commercial showroom and storage. Applicant/Agent : Mrs Kathy Root, C/O Mr Patrick Jordan, Wyndham Jordan Architects, 8 Heron House, Faversham Reach, Upper Brents, Faversham, Kent, ME13 7LA This application was considered at the re-convened Planning Committee on 18 February 2014. 2.4 SW/13/1415 (Case 25059) Minster Location : 9 Larch End, Minster on Sea, Sheerness, Kent, ME12 3FJ Proposal : Change of use of one room within dwelling to a beauty treatment room (retrospective), part-time only - to be used by family when not in use (approx 2.6m x 2.8m) - all treatments to be by appointment only Applicant/Agent : Mr Paul Russell, 9 Larch End, Minster on Sea, Sheerness, Kent, ME12 3FJ The Senior Planning Officer reported that Kent County Council (KCC) Highways had stated that it was recognised that it would be likely that clients would park on the street as the driveway would be occupied by the occupants of the property. Only one client was likely to be at the property at any one time, so this would generate one additional vehicle and KCC Highways considered this would not have a greater impact than the general movements and on-street parking of friends/relations to the development. Cars parking on-street was an amenity issue as it meant that some residents may have to park further from their property to find an available space. The Senior Planning Officer concluded that KCC Highways did not object to the proposal on highway grounds. Mr Russell, the Applicant, spoke in support of the proposal. - 458 - Planning Committee 13 February 2014 A Ward Member spoke against the proposal. She raised concern with parking and did not consider the roads were wide enough for double parking, which would cause disruption in the area. The Ward Member considered the proposed opening hours set out in condition (2) of the report were too long and should be restricted to 9am to 5.30pm. She also stated there was a covenant forbidding businesses to be run from the property. The Senior Planning Officer explained that the covenant on the property was not a planning matter. Members made the following comments: there should not be a problem as the visitors were likely to be few in number; once the builders had gone, there will be less of a traffic issue; some clients would probably walk to the property; this was sustainable development; it was a public highway so people could park there anyway; 9am – 5pm were preferred hours of opening; the business would not disturb anyone; and we should be encouraging small businesses. Resolved: That application SW/13/1415 be approved subject to conditions (1) to (3) in the report. 2.5 SW/13/1522 (Case 14623) Faversham Location : Land North of Lewis Close, Faversham, Kent, ME13 7NS Proposal : Construction of 27 no. homes (9 no. affordable homes) and associated infrastructure provision Applicant/Agent : Town and Country Housing Group and Kier Homes, C/O PRP Planning, Unit 10, Lindsey Street, Smithfield, London, EC1A 9HP This application was considered at the re-convened Planning Committee on 18 February 2014. 2.6 SW/13/1421 (Case 20975) Sittingbourne Location : Land adj 47 Homewood Avenue, Sittingbourne, Kent, ME10 1HH Proposal : Construction of new three bedroom detached dwelling with associated parking and new crossover Applicant/Agent : Mr Duncan Friend. C/O Mark Carter. Mark Carter Design, Design Studio , Priestfield Stadium, Redfern Avenue, Gillingham, Kent, ME7 4DD This application was considered at the re-convened Planning Committee on 18 February 2014. - 459 - Planning Committee 13 February 2014 2.7 SW/13/1406 (Case 25245) Sittingbourne Location : Land to the rear of 246 London Road, Sittingbourne, Kent, ME10 1QA Proposal : Erection of detached two bed chalet bungalow. Applicant/Agent : Mr Gary Amschwand, C/O Mr Leslie Hutchinson, Building Design Studio, 26 Kings Hill Avenue, Kings Hill, West Malling, Kent, ME19 4AE Mr Amschwand, the Applicant, spoke in support of the proposal. Resolved: That application SW/13/1406 be approved subject to conditions (1) to (15) in the report. 2.8 SW/13/1243 (Case 01675) Faversham Location : Baltic House, Standard Quay, Abbey Road, Faversham, Kent, ME13 7BS Proposal : Change of use from office to wine bar on the ground floor and staff accommodation of first floor with no building works. Applicant/Agent : Mrs Janis Osborn, C/O Mr Simon Latham, Design & Build Services, 2 Colkins Cottages, Clockhouse, Boughton under Blean, Faversham, Kent, ME13 9LU The Planner reported that the unauthorised signage and mural to the rear of the building had been removed. He explained that a new drainage pipe had been installed on the rear of the building without consent. If the application was approved, applications for advertisement and listed building consent would also be required. The Planner referred to reports from objectors that there were inaccuracies in the report relating to the previous use of the building, leading to Officers being misled. After reviewing the new information, it was considered it did not change the nature or principle of the application. The Planner reported that one further letter of objection had been received from the Faversham Creek Trust and one email of support from a customer of the wine bar. Councillor Shiel Campbell, representing Faversham Town Council, spoke in support of the proposal. Mr Brian Pain, an objector, spoke against the proposal. Mr Chris Baldock, the Agent, spoke in support of the proposal. In response to a question, the Planner explained that the pipework at the rear of the building would need to be put underground and he would be in discussions with the applicant regarding this matter. A Ward Member spoke in support of the proposal. He considered the building was suitable for the change of use and it added character to the area. - 460 - Planning Committee 13 February 2014 Members raised the following points: support this, but some concerns with the residential aspect; any flooding threat should receive adequate warning; no alterations to exterior of the building so support; and the residential aspect was a serious issue. Councillor Mike Henderson moved the following amendment to condition (4): ‘the first floor living accommodation hereby permitted shall be strictly ancillary to the main use of the building and occupied only by persons employed directly with the wine bar during its opening hours’. This was seconded by Councillor Barnicott. The Planner suggested that the use of ‘during its opening hours’ could be taken in more than one way.