CRANBROOK & SISSINGHURST PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE PLANNING & PRESERVATION COMMITTEE HELD ON 5th MARCH 2024
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, Cllr. Swenson, Cllr. Gilbert and Cllr. Fletcher
Apologies: Cllrs Somers
PLANNING APPLICATIONS:
24/00348/FULL
White Horse Inn Carriers Road Cranbrook Kent TN17 3EX
Conversion of ground floor to 2no. self-contained residential apartments, with associated bin and bike store and reconfiguration of car park
The Parish Council recommended REFUSAL for the following reasons:
- Impact on the community and other services
- Economic impact and sustainability
- Traffic and parking issues
- This application is contrary to Cranbrook & Sissinghurst Parish Council Neighbourhood Development Plan Policy BE6.1 Business & Employment Space
- This application is contrary to Cranbrook & Sissinghurst Parish Council Neighbourhood Development Plan Policy BE6.2 Tourism and Retail
- Loss of retail space within the primary shopping area
- Loss of the last purpose-built public house in the town (only George Hotel and small ale house with limited opening hours remain within the town)
- The Marketing Report is inaccurate and misleading and details are not complete. For instance, the number of barrels sold from 2020 – 2023 does not take into consideration or note when the public house was shut for various reasons. Also, it does not detail why possible tenants did not make any offers – perhaps the rent was set at an uncommercial rate?
- Plans are incomplete as they do not include the cellar
- Removing the front and side door is detrimental to the character of the conservation area
- The mention of other pubs in the district is irrelevant (even if they were on a bus route which most are not). None are within walking distance of Cranbrook town. There is a lack of buses and none at all in the evenings or Sundays.
It was agreed to write to Borough Councillors requesting that the planning application be called in to TWBC Planning Committee if the officer recommendation is to approve the application.
Proposed by Cllr. Bunyan, seconded by Cllr. Hatcher and agreed.
24/00401/FULL
19 Wheatfield Way Cranbrook Kent TN17 3LX
Two storey front extension, part single/two storey rear extension, addition of window to first floor and garage extension
The Parish Council recommended approval proposed by Cllr. Hatcher, seconded by Cllr. Gilbert and agreed. However, the Parish Council felt that the vertical larch cladding is inappropriate and noted that the site map had no road names marked.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Correspondence was received from Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, GIS & Street Naming and Numbering Officer regarding the former Cranbrook Engineering & Wilkes Field development in Cranbrook.
TWBC PLANNING DECISIONS:
Granted:
23/03494/LBC
George Hotel Stone Street Cranbrook Kent TN17 3HE
Listed Building Consent – Alterations to form new fire escape doors and steps two first floor bedrooms.
24/00082/ADV & 24/00083/LBC
23 High Street Cranbrook Kent TN17 3EE
Listed Building Consent – Replace projecting sign with new 400mm sign, retain existing bracket and respray blue. Replace fascia with new blue fascia and 290mm white logo height.
24/00043/FULL
OS Plot 7153 Bishops Lane Cranbrook Kent TN17 2ST
Change of use of equestrian facilities to private equestrian facilities independent of Oaktree House.
24/00011/TPO
Recreation Ground Crane Lane Cranbrook Kent
Trees: ASH (0471) – Remove major dead wood, ASH (0474) Remove major dead wood, ASH (0475) – Remove suspended/broken branches.
ITEM FOR INFORMATION: None Reported
