sw/08/0538 (3.2) – rear extension, barbara crest, norman road, eastchurch

PRESENT: Councillor Barnicott (Chairman), Councillor Prescott (Vice-Chairman), Councillors Bobbin, Adrian Crowther, Duncan Dewar-Whalley, Mike Henderson, Elvina Lowe, Pat Sandle and Ben Stokes.

OFFICERS PRESENT: Andrew Jeffers, Kellie Mackenzie and Andrew Spiers.

ALSO IN ATTENDANCE: Councillor Lesley Ingham (Ward Member), Mr Marriott (Agent) and Mr and Mrs Newin (Applicants).

APOLOGIES: Councillors Monique Bonney, Mark Ellen, David Garside and Sue Gent.

declarations of interest

No interests were declared.

part b minutes for information

sw/08/0538 (3.2) – rear extension, barbara crest, norman road, eastchurch

The Planning Officer explained that the proposal was a retrospective application for the retention of a large flat roofed single storey rear extension and the erection of a pitched roof over this and another existing flat roof extension to Barbara Crest, Norman Road, Eastchurch. The existing, unauthorised flat roof extension measured 15.5 metres wide, 4.67 metres deep and 3 metres high. With the inclusion of the proposed pitched roof, the ridge height would measure 5.2 metres. The Planning Officer reminded Members that this was the fifth application made by the applicants at the site in four years. All previous applications had been refused by Swale Borough Council (SBC) with one refusal being upheld on appeal.

The Planning Officer explained that the applicants stated the extension was needed for the elderly father of the applicant. The Planning Officer pointed out that whilst they had every sympathy with the applicant's father's medical condition, he did not consider that the personal circumstances of the applicant outweighed the policy objections to the application. He drew Members' attention to Government advice in paragraph 93 of Circular 11/95 which confirmed this.

The Planning Officer advised that the application was contrary to Policies E1, E6, E9, E19, E24 and RC4 of the Swale Borough Local Plan 2008 and Policies QL1, HP5 and EN1 of the Kent and Medway Structure Plan.

Mr Marriott, the Agent, explained that the application was to provide accommodation for Mr Newin senior, the applicant's elderly and disabled father. He referred Members to letters received from both Mr Newin seniors' doctor and Occupational Therapist, both in support of the application. The agent drew attention to Policy 2.15 in the Core Strategy of the Swale Borough Local Plan 2008 where it stated that the proportion of the Borough's older population was rising, creating demand that would need to be planned for. The agent reported that no objections had been received from neighbours, the Parish Council or Kent Highway Services.

The Agent closed by saying that the proposal would not be a 'blot' on the landscape and that it must be decided on its own merits.

In response to a question from a Member, the Planning Officer explained that in respect of Paragraph 2.15 of the Core Strategy, a balance was needed to protect the character and appearance of the area and Officers considered that in relation to its size the development could not be considered “modest” in policy terms and would have a detrimental impact on the surrounding area.

In response to a question from a Member, the Planning Officer advised that the proposed extension, in conjunction with the previous extension, constituted a 144 per cent increase in floorspace over the size of the original dwelling.

In response to a question from a Member, the applicant advised that all the current wheelchair ramps would be replaced with concrete ramps and the current floor level would be altered to accommodate this.

Members then toured the site and asked the Planning Officer and Development Control Manager questions which they answered.