Meeting documents

Planning Working Group
Friday, 10 August 2007

planning working group

MINUTES of the Meeting held in Faversham and Boughton on Friday 10th August 2007 from 2:00 pm to 3:25 pm.

	brick stables and wagon lodge, nether court, abbey barns, abbey road, faversham PRESENT: Councillor Barnicott (Chairman), Councillor Prescott (Vice-Chairman), Councillors Bobbin, Sandra Garside, Brenda Hammond, Bryan Mulhern, Pat Sandle, Ben Stokes, Roger Truelove and Alan Willicombe. OFFICERS PRESENT: Peter Bell, Philippa Davies and Ross McCardle. ALSO IN ATTENDANCE: Mark Brice (Applicant), Penny Olsen (Agent) and Pat Reid (Faversham Society). APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Councillors Monique Bonney, Elvina Lowe and Jean Willicombe.
	205 the street, boughton PRESENT: Councillor Barnicott (Chairman), Councillor Prescott (Vice-Chairman), Councillors Bobbin, Sandra Garside, Brenda Hammond, Bryan Mulhern, Pat Sandle, Ben Stokes, Roger Truelove and Alan Willicombe. OFFICERS PRESENT: Peter Bell, Philippa Davies and Ross McCardle. ALSO IN ATTENDANCE: Messrs Barton (Applicant), Foster (Agent) and Tritton (Local resident). APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Councillors Monique Bonney, Elvina Lowe and Jean Willicombe.
337	brick stables and wagon lodge, nether court, abbey barns, abbey road, faversham The Planning Officer reported that the application was for the conversion of a grade II listed Victorian stable to a residential dwelling with three bedrooms and the restoration of the grade II* listed medieval stables for ancillary uses. He explained that the headroom upstairs would be narrow within the steep pitch of the roof. The conversion would enable the restoration of the neighbouring grade II* listed medieval stable block. English Heritage supported the application and had advised that the farm building was a very significant medieval example. The area of application was in Flood Zone Three which was the most serious zone and could be liable to flooding once every 200 years. The Environment Agency considered that the proposal was a worst case scenario and had raised concern with regard to access to the site for the emergency services and to the principle of residential use in a flood risk area. Faversham Town Council were against the proposal, Kent Highway Services had no objections. The Faversham Society suggested that the fenestration of the project gave a domestic appearance. The Planning Officer emphasised that it was important to question whether the need to preserve the stables outweighed the threat of flooding to the proposed residence. He considered that there were more suitable sites elsewhere for this type of use. The Conservation Officer advised the Working Group that the complex had the largest collection of grade I and II* listed buildings outside of the Sheerness Docks and was acknowledged as one of the best surviving medieval farmsteads in the country. He explained that the stables were vulnerable to collapse and in a very serious state of disrepair and that there should be a sense of urgency to ensure their repair and reuse. He suggested that the risk of flooding to the occupants had to be balanced against sustaining the future of the listed complex. In response to questions, he reported that there would be virtually no windows at the back of the building; there would be a window on each gable end and glass tiles would be added to the roof. The Agent showed the Working Group the extent of the 1953 flooded area and believed there was a fine line between areas within the flood zone and areas not included in it. She considered that the emergency services had adequate access to the site. She explained that there was to be an external ladder to the building and residents would receive a two hour flood warning. Windows would match what was already there and local building materials were to be used. She explained that English Heritage proposed to open the site to the public 15 days per year, with the inclusion of a visitor centre and that residential use on the site could help protect the other buildings out of working hours. A Ward Member explained that a large area of Faversham was flooded in 1953; it was not just in this area. He considered the application fitted in well with the rest of the complex and welcomed the proposal. In response to a question, he was informed that there were two access routes to the site. A member of the Faversham Society raised concern that the application was on the edge of the residential area in Faversham and that this would set a precedent. Members then toured the site and asked the Planning Officer and Conservation Officer questions which they answered.
338	205 the street, boughton The Planning Officer explained that the application was for a three bedroom property at the rear of a grade II* listed building (Style House). It was to be semi underground, built into the hill and would be partially hidden. There would be a parking and turning area. An earlier application for a two bedroom holiday let would be revoked if this application was granted. English Heritage considered that the application would prejudice the viability of Style House. The Planning Officer explained that the street had a linear pattern, with few back land building. The glazed part of the proposed building would be visible from the adjoining public footpath and the proposal would result in the urbanisation of the site and would harm the character of the conservation area. The Conservation Officer explained that Swale Borough Council was required to give high priority to preserving the character and appearance of the conservation area and the setting of the grade II* listed building. He considered the area of the application to be special because of its 'green-ness'; it aided the soft transition from village to countryside and that the development compromised the historic linear development of the village. He questioned whether the development enhanced this 'special' area. He concluded that the design was interesting, but questioned the principle of development in this back garden. The agent briefly explained the application to the Working Party and raised various issues. He considered that the land was separate from the other part of the garden of Style House and not part of its 'green-ness'; that there were other buildings that did not comply to the linear effect of the village; the house would not be very visible and that the busy road already contributed to loss of a rural effect to the area. A local resident stated that he considered the plans of the site were incorrect and raised concern with the position of the turn table to enable turning near the site. A Ward Member believed the application was a good design. The Planning Officer confirmed that comparative estimates for traffic generation figures for both the existing holiday let permission and the current application and a clear definition of the curtilage of the existing garden of 205 The Street would be supplied at the next meeting of the Planning Committee on 16th August 2007. Members then toured the site and asked the Planning Officer and Conservation Officer questions which they answered.

All Minutes are draft until agreed at the next meeting of the Committee/Panel

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