CRANBROOK & SISSINGHURST PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE PLANNING & PRESERVATION COMMITTEE
HELD ON 2ND NOVEMBER 2021
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. Smith (in the Chair), Cllrs. Bunyan, Gilbert, Fletcher and Hatcher
Apologies: Cllr. Fermor
PLANNING APPLICATIONS:
21/03299/REM
Land at Brick Kiln Farm High Street Cranbrook Kent
Approval of Reserved Matters (Appearance, Landscaping, Layout, Scale) following Outline Permission for 16/502860/OUT – erection of up to 180 dwellings (including up to 35% affordable housing) with means of access to be determined at this stage together with structural woodland planting and landscaping, informal public open space, community orchard, children’s play area, attenuation basin, vehicular access point from Hartley Road and associated ancillary development.
The Parish Council recommended a NEUTRAL decision proposed by Cllr. Smith, seconded by Cllr. Hatcher and agreed based on the comments below. The Parish Council believe improvements to the proposed development can still be made.
Vehicular Access:
- The position of the pedestrian crossing location is considered unsafe in Hartley Road due to the close proximity to the new access.
- Concern was expressed regarding the single access due to the volume of traffic from the new development.
Attenuation Basin:
- Concern was expressed regarding the drainage and possibility of flooding to adjoining land.
- Strong management of the attenuation basin will be required and the Parish Council would like to have a representative on the Management Committee.
Informal public open space, community orchard, children’s play area:
- Play equipment should be provided by developer given the scale of the development.
Energy:
- The ‘U’ values on the external walls, floors and windows are far from what is achievable and the Parish Council are disappointed that the developer is not making this a priority especially in relation to climate change. If Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recover (MVHR) is installed the air permeability should be reduced.
Appearance:
- The Parish Council are disappointed at the overall appearance of the development, an opportunity has been missed to reflect the local vernacular of Cranbrook.
Cranbrook Conservation Area Advisory Committee comments: The Parish Council support the comments submitted by CCAAC as below:
- For a prime site in Cranbrook adjoining the Conservation Area and the ancient woodland of the Crane Valley, this is a bland and boring suburban style development, representing some of the worst pattern book planning around. What has happened to the many interesting proposals discussed wit the community for this site, over the past few years, such as, bringing out some of the site history (eg Brick Kiln Farm), using viewpoints on to the church and windmill and reflecting the town’s many heritage buildings in new designs.
- The concept of different neighbourhoods to break up this very large scheme seems to have been largely lost – bland brick work in one area, bland brick work with boarding above in another, a slight change of window in another. Why have Clague not gained some inspiration from the High Weald Design Guide or had a look at the Dandara housing development in nearly Tenterden, both of which show how to design interesting and successful new housing in an historic setting with appropriate and varied street layouts and a high degree of permeability.
- The Oast House is just a large executive home with an Oast style roof bolted on – the complete antithesis of form following function. Again, the original idea of architectural features to define an end of terrace, corner site or highlight a view has been lost.
- Car parking will be visually dominant over much of the development – more should be done to break it up with planting, walls, undercrofts leading to rear parking. The High Weald Design Guide shows how this can be achieved.
- There is a lot of black tarmac on the main access and spur roads as well as parking areas for the affordable housing. This is too urban for this context and should be reviews
- On the landscaping, there are still concerns that the boundary of some of the housing may be too close to the ancient woodland leading to future demands to fell trees. The green buffer between the Conservation Area and the new development is encroached by units 63-71 on the North side of the footpath leading off the High Street.
- How adequate is the cycle and bin storage (households now need at least 3 bins) and this needs to be designed in effectively at the outset.
- What has been done to reflect future environmental policy? There do not appear to be any PV or solar panels. Is there to be a District heating system?
21/03380/FULL & 21/03381/LBC
North Cottage Camden Hill Sissinghurst Cranbrook TN17 2AR
Demolition of existing curtilage listed outbuilding and replacement extension to match character and style or original building. Conversation of attic space and installation of staircase to provide new access and second floor bedroom. Side porch to north elevation. Conversion of existing garage with small extension to form home office and habitable accommodation for a dependent family member.
The Parish Council recommended APPROVAL proposed by Cllr. Bunyan seconded by Cllr. Smith and agreed.
21/03412/FULL
South Wing Sissinghurst Castle Biddenden Road Sissinghurst Cranbrook Kent TN17 2AB
Change of Use of Part of Western Range from Sui Generis to Residential (following previous consent 16/505014) (in part retrospective)
The Parish Council recommended APPROVAL proposed by Cllr. Gilbert, seconded by Cllr. Bunyan and agreed.
21/03505/FULL
1 Dukes Cottages Hawkhurst Road Cranbrook Kent TN17 3PU
Replacement of existing conservatory
The Parish Council recommended APPROVAL proposed by Cllr. Smith, seconded by Cllr. Hatcher and agreed.
21/03516/FULL
13 Hovendens Sissinghurst Cranbrook Kent TN17 2LA
Two Storey Side/Rear extension
The Parish Council recommended APPROVAL proposed by Cllr. Smith, seconded by Cllr. Hatcher and agreed.
TWBC PLANNING DECISIONS:
The Clerk read out the decisions received from Tunbridge Wells Borough Council.
CORRESPONDENCE:
None received.
ITEMS FOR INFORMATION:
None received.
