PRESENT:  Councillors Mike Baldock, Cameron Beart, Bobbin, Richard Darby, Mike Dendor (substitute for Councillor Roger Clark), Nicholas Hampshire, Mike Henderson, James Hunt, Ken Ingleton, Bryan Mulhern (Chairman) and Prescott.

OFFICERS:  Philippa Davies and Paul Gregory.

APOLOGIES:  Councillors Andy Booth, Roger Clark, James Hall, James Hunt and Nigel Kay.

The Chairman welcomed the applicant, the applicant’s surveyor and nine members of the public to the meeting.

The Planning Officer introduced the application which sought outline planning permission for a two bedroom detached dwelling in the rear garden of No. 47 Brier Road, with access to the property being via Grove Park Avenue.  He explained that the garden of No. 47 would be split, and the plot levels would be lowered to accommodate the new dwelling, so access would be at the same level as Grove Park Avenue.  The garden of No. 47 would be reduced to a length of 11 metres, and the new dwelling would have an eight metre long garden, with a side garden measuring six metres wide at its widest point.  The Planning Officer reported that part of the existing hedge along the footpath would be removed and replaced with a brick wall.  He explained that this was an outline application with all detailed matters reserved for future consideration, although indicative plans had been received which showed how such a dwelling might be accommodated on the site, with one car parking space to the front of the property.

The applicant advised that the new property would appear similar in height to the neighbouring dwelling in Grove Park Avenue.  

A Ward Member had concerns with the topography and also that the new dwelling would have an overbearing impact on surrounding houses.  In response to questions, the applicant explained that the new property would be positioned 1.2metres from the shed at No. 47, and the height would be the same as the next door house in Grove Park Avenue.  The Planning Officer explained that this type of detail would be confirmed at the reserved matters stage.  The applicant also advised that there would be a dropped kerb, and that the lamppost would be removed.

Local residents raised concerns which included:  there were already flooding issues, and this would increase from run-off from the new driveway, with the additional issue of mud running off the site during construction; this would set a precedent; parking problems; Grove Park Avenue was part of a private housing estate; this was garden grabbing; and according to the Local Plan housing south of the A2 should protect and enhance the environment, but this did not conserve or enhance the area.

In response to a question, the applicant advised that when the site was dug-out, there would be a retaining wall and the house would be positioned slightly higher than the road.  The Planning Officer explained that Kent County Council (KCC) Highways and Transportation had been consulted on the application but in accordance with their protocol had not commented as the application was  too small to be considered by them.  He further advised that a separate licence was required to be submitted to KCC Highways and Transportation for a dropped kerb, and the re-positioning of the lamppost was also a matter for them.

Members toured the application site and viewed it from Grove Park Avenue.