CRANBROOK & SISSINGHURST PARISH COUNCIL MINUTES OF THE PLANNING & PRESERVATION COMMITTEE HELD ON 19TH DECEMBER 2023
Declaration of Interests, Dispensations and Predetermination:
Members are required to declare any interests, dispensations or predetermination on items on this agenda. Members are reminded that changes to the Register of Interests should be notified to the Clerk.
Present: Cllr. Bunyan (Chairman), Cllrs. Hatcher, Gilbert and Fletcher
PLANNING APPLICATIONS:
23/03150/FULL
The Haven Tenterden Road Cranbrook Kent TN17 3PA
Proposed side & rear extensions with new pitched roof for addition of first storey, removal & creation of fenestration on east elevation, new front porch and material change.
Cllr. Gilbert recommended APPROVAL seconded by Cllr. Hatcher and agreed. The Committee were however concerned about the number of dormer windows and the head height in the bedrooms.
23/03176/FULL
Cranbrook School Waterloo Road Cranbrook Kent TN17 3JD
Removal of existing temporary flood lights and the installation of 8No permanent floodlights to the astroturf hockey pitches.
The Parish Council recommended REFUSAL for the following reason:
- The application does not meet criteria of Cranbrook and Sissinghurst Neighbourhood Development Plan Policy HD4.10 Avoidance of Light Pollution.
Proposed by Cllr. Hatcher seconded by Cllr. Bunyan and agreed.
23/03246/FULL
Land Off Angley Road Cranbrook Kent
Development of 34no. residential units with associated garaging, parking and infrastructure including off site highway improvement works, the provision of formalized public open space and improved public footpaths.
The Parish Council recommended REFUSAL for the following reasons:
- Lack of non-selective secondary school in Cranbrook
- Concern regarding utility companies’ ability to supply
- The application does not meet Cranbrook and Sissinghurst Neighbourhood Development Plan Policies as detailed below:
Policy LGS 15 – The Long Field
Policy LN3.3 – Protecting the Historic Landscape Character
Policy LN3.4 – Green Gaps & Preventing Settlement Coalescence
Policy LN3.5 – Protection of the High Weald AONB and its setting
Policy LN3.7 – Local Green Space Designations
Policy AM5.1 – The Pedestrian Environment
Policy AM5.5 – Safer Road Conditions
Policy HO7.1 – Accessible Intergenerational Living
- Outside Limits to Build Development
- Drainage & Flooding Concern – The impact from developing this site has not been adequately investigated. The water management for the proposed site needs to be investigated thoroughly and a drainage strategy put in place before any planning proposal is considered. The surface water from Angley Road, Quaker Lane, The Longfield and Cranbrook Primary School runs downhill and the water flows under Stone Street to join the River Crane under the Tanyard Car Park. During periods of heavy rain, the culverts in the allotment and Tanyard Car Park have to be monitored daily.The existing waterways in the town cannot cope with an increased volume of water from the proposed development without some risk of flooding.
- The site is adjacent to the Wilsley Green Conservation Area.
- It is with the AONB and is a very visible gateway into the historic town and can be seen from Angley Road, Waterloo Road and Quaker Lane, which will be blighted by this development.
- Details not supplied regarding type of affordable housing i.e. Shared Ownership, Social Rent, Housing Association Rental etc.
- Cranbrook and Sissinghurst Parish Council suggest that if this development is successful a Planning Condition should be applied stating that the attached garages cannot be converted into additional living space.
Cllr. Fletcher was given permission to write in response to Appendix 1 of the Planning Statement regarding education matters.
The Committee agreed the Section 106 grant application which would be forwarded to Tunbridge Wells Borough Council.
23/03299/LBC
Little Charity Swattenden Lane Cranbrook Kent
Listed Building Consent – Variation of Condition 1 of Planning Permission 23/03087/LBC – Raise eaves a further 500mm & change roof material to slate to suit 26 degree pitch.
Cllr. Bunyan recommended APROVAL seconded by Cllr. Hatcher and agreed, subject to the views of the Conservation Officer.
23/03032/FULL
Hemsted Forest Equestrian Centre Golford Road Benenden Cranbrook Kent
Installation of 8 flood lights to the outdoor sand school and their use between 4pm and 7.30pm October to April during term time only.
The Parish Council recommended REFUSAL for the following reasons:
- The Parish Council did not believe this application meet the Cranbrook and Sissinghurst Parish Council Neighbourhood Development Plan Policy HD4.10 Avoidance of Light Pollution
- The supporting documents were very confusing page numbers incorrect and sections on the contents were incorrect.
Proposed by Cllr. Hatcher, seconded by Cllr. Bunyan and agreed.
23/02641/FULL
3 West Terrace High Street Cranbrook Kent
Proposed addition of 1 no. off-street parking space, associated hard and soft landscaping with dropped kerb.
The Parish Council recommended REFUSAL for the following reason:
- This parking space will be a blemish on the frontage of this elegant ‘Arts & Crafts’ terrace in the Conservation area. Other residents in the terrace manage modern life by parking on the road or in parking spaces at the back of their properties. Any addition of a car parking space to this terrace would ruin the symmetry of the frontage
- To allow this off street parking would reduce on street parking for other residents nearby.
Proposed by Cllr. Hatcher seconded by Cllr. Gilbert and agreed.
CORRESPONDENCE: None received.
TWBC PLANNING DECISIONS:
Granted:
23/02654/FULL 2 Quaker Cottages Quaker Lane Cranbrook Kent – Replacement of the existing ancillary garaging to 2 Quaker Cottages with a three bedroom family home.
23/02148/FULL Pippins Swattenden Lane Cranbrook Kent – Creation of a pond under Natural England Great Crested Newt District Level Licensing Scheme
23/02977/LBC 23 Stone Street Cranbrook Kent – Listed Building Consent Alterations to the colour of the front of the shop from blue to green and place 3 downlights (6 in total) in the front window (works already carried out)
23/02673/LBC Bounds End Farm Goudhurst Road Staplehurst Kent – Demolish existing porch on front elevation and replace with new larger porch
23/02619/FULL 9 Hovendens Sissinghurst Kent – Ground floor front extension, conversion of garage and new pitched roof
23/02615/FULL Bramleys Tilsden Lane Cranbrook Kent – Infill extension, creation of additional window in sitting room and addition of pitched roofs to existing house, demolition of two outbuildings and garage and creation of singular outbuilding
23/02680/FULL & 23/02743/LBC Hartridge House Starvenden Lane Sissinghurst Kent – Variation of Condition 2 of Planning Permission 22/01975/FULL – Reduction in size of garage and additional small store, omission of windows on North elevation ground floor, addition of door to East elevation, internal alterations including inclusion of doors, closing of openings and installation of new posts, installation of arches and timber panelling to walls.
23/02382/FULL Sunningwell Angley Road Cranbrook Kent – Erection of a detached dwellinghouse on land to rear of Sunningwell
23/02790/FULL Annex Trenley Farm Gills Green Cranbrook Kent – Extension to existing annex and addition of first floor over one side of the existing,
ITEM FOR INFORMATION:
The January 2024 meetings have been rescheduled to take place on 9th January and 23rd January 2024.
