Minutes of Wadhurst Parish Council’s Planning Committee
Meeting held on Saturday 24 November 2007.
Present :- Cllrs Berger (Chairman) Bell, Doyle Kent, Mamlok Standley, Ms H Whatmore
Apologies for absence from Cllr, Mrs A Monaghan
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PLANNING APPLICATIONS CAN BE VIEWED here - but note the reference number before leaving this page!

WD/2007/3170  Groomden Farm Bungalow, Buckhurst Lane
Demolition of existing building and the erection of a new private dwelling and garaging.

Having had the benefit of a sight of the appeal decision dated 1 September 2006 allowing the erection of a “Farmhouse”, the comments in our report  dated 10 November 2007 regarding the agricultural occupancy condition are withdrawn. However we still strongly object as the proposal conflicts  with the local plan policy DC18 in that clearly  it is not of a comparable size and massing and is out of character with the locality. Furthermore in these days of sustainability it is questionable whether the proposal would satisfy this requirement. Indeed, the agent’s checklist indicates a number of instances where it fails.

Finally, being outside the development boundary, had it not been for the requirement for an agricultural worker’s dwelling in the 1960s there would not be any dwelling on the site and any application for a private non agricultural worker’s house  now would undoubtedly be refused.

WD/2007/3349/F Hilburgh, Balaclava Lane
Alterations and extensions to the rear elevation including two dormer windows to the front elevation.

We object on the grounds of incremental  increase in area that would result taking into account the 1974 extension together with no doubt the increase in car parking facilities that would be required for a 5 bedroom house.

WD/2007/3284/O  Land north of Tanners, Turners Green Road.
Outline permission for single storey dwelling houses with new access off Turners Green Road and parking for 3 cars minimum

No objection in principle for a modest dwelling but consider that the accommodation proposed is excessive for the site. It is pointed out that the application form refers to “single storey dwelling houses “ whereas the drawing indicates a single 2 storey dwelling.

WD/2007/3256/LB & 3257/F  Old Darbys, Moseham.
Single storey pitched roof extension at rear to form breakfast area, formation of porch at rear under lean-to roof.

No objection in principle to a modest extension to this listed building but consider that the proposal is ill considered and not an enhancement to it. The porch extension would be improved if its roof was treated as a catslide extension to the main roof.

WD/2007/3396/F  Lodge Hill Oast, Coombe Lane
Alterations of roof space to existing garage for ancillary use.

No objection

WD/2007/3009/F Coombe Manor Farm, Coombe Lane 
Car port and container for bio mass boiler and fuel.

No objection.

WD/2007/3384/F  Goddensfield House, Goddensfield, Durgates
Proposed conversion of existing garage to art room and link extension

No objection in principle but consider that the loss of the garage would result in parking and manoevering problems.

WD/2007/3417/F  Best Beech Place, Tidebrook Road
Demolition of existing garage and glasshouse buildings erection of replacement garage and separate outbuilding, associated walls, gates and works.

No objection.

WD/2007/3425/F  Oakenshaw, Newbury Lane, Cousley Wood.
New garage and carport with upper floor for ancillary use.

No objection.

WD/2007/2216/R  Green Hedges Nursery, Danegate Lane, Mark Cross.
Retrospective application for change of use to mixed use to caravan site for stationing of three caravans for residential use, re-use of existing building, associated works (fencing and landscaping) stable block and keeping horses.

We endorse the Rotherfield PC recommendation for refusal as the proposal is contrary to policy in this high value AONB, the applicant has no local connections, and the travelling to and from Dartford conflicts with sustainability recommendations.
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B S D Berger  Chairman    26 November 2007