Issue - meetings

Demolition of existing building and the erection of a new building comprising a mixed use office and workshop space (Class E(g)) and detached garage to rear.

Demolition of existing building and the erection of a new building comprising a mixed use office and workshop space (Class E(g)) and detached garage to rear.

Following a Members’ Site Inspection undertaken as a result of the deferral of the application arising from the Committee meeting on 13 March 2025, careful consideration was given to the points raised by the speakers and the submitted details, conditions and informatives set out in the report of the Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health.  Members continued to express significant concerns in respect of the potential impact of the proposed commercial development on the residential amenity of the neighbourhood area, with particular reference made to the increased level of vehicular movements and environmental disturbance.

It was proposed by Councillor D Thornewell, seconded by Councillor R Dalton, that the application be refused, which was supported by the Committee with eight Members voting in favour and one member voting against the motion.

RESOLVED:  that planning permission be REFUSED for the following reason:

The vehicular movements, alongside the commercial activities associated with the development proposal, would result in a material change in the noise climate and level of disturbance, which would be unduly detrimental to the residential amenity of the occupiers of the neighbouring houses.  To permit the development in its current form would be contrary to Policy CP24 of the Tonbridge and Malling Borough Core Strategy (2007) and Chapter 12 of the National Planning Policy Framework (2024).

[Speakers: Ms M Conyers, Mrs D Hart (on behalf of Mr D Carslaw), Ms L Wheeldon (on behalf of Mrs D Eden-Green), Ms L Wheeldon (on behalf of Mr J Eden-Green), Mr C Twyman, Mrs D Hart (on behalf of Mr J Humphries), Mr C Green, Mr C Twyman (on behalf of Ms T Allingham), Mr C Twyman (on behalf of Mr G Hart), Ms F Ray and Mrs D Hart (members of the public) and Mr P Hadley (Agent on behalf of the Applicant) addressed the Committee in person.]

Demolition of existing workshop and office space and replacement with new mixed use office and workshop space (Class E) and detached garage to rear.

Demolition of existing workshop and office space and replacement with new mixed use office and workshop space (Class E) and detached garage to rear.

After careful consideration of the points raised by the speakers and the submitted details, conditions and informatives set out in the report of the Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health, Members expressed significant concerns in respect of the potential impact of the proposed mixed use property on the settings of the nearby listed buildings and the neighbouring residential area and potential implications relating to highway safety, including parking provision and vehicle turning facilities.

It was proposed by Cllr P Hickmott, seconded by Cllr S Bell, that a Members’ Site inspection be undertaken, on the grounds that:

(1)          particular site factors were so significant in terms of weight attached to them, relative to other factors, and that a site inspection would be the only way to assess those factors;

(2)          it was essential in order to reach a view on an application that the specific and particular characteristics of the site needed to be viewed on the ground in order to assess the broader material impact of the proposal; and

(3)          the proposal raised specific matters in respect of site characteristics, the importance of which could only be established by means of a site inspection. 

This motion was supported by the Committee unanimously.  Members further requested that an officer from Kent County Council Highways be invited to attend the Members’ Site Inspection.

RESOLVED:  That the application be DEFERRED for a Members’ Site Inspection in accordance with Paragraphs E6.3 (a), (b) and (c) of the Borough Council’s Constitution, Protocol E – Members’ Planning Code of Good Practice.

[Speakers: Ms M Douglas, Mrs D Hart, Mr C Twyman, Mr C Green, Ms L Wheeldon, Mr C Twyman (on behalf of Ms E Hills), Mrs D Hart (on behalf of Mr D Carslaw), Ms F Ray, Mrs D Hart (on behalf of Mr J Humphries), Mrs D Eden-Green, Mrs D Hart (on behalf of Mr G Hart), Ms M Douglas (on behalf of Ms J Newman), Mr J Eden-Green, Mr J Eden-Green (on behalf of Ms T Allingham) and Mrs D Eden-Green (on behalf of Ms E Lewis) (members of the public) and Mr P Hadley (Agent on behalf of the Applicant) addressed the Committee in person.]