Members had visited the site as part of their site inspections.  The proposal was for ground floor extensions, garage conversion including new first floor dormers to existing property.     

Councillor Mrs Barnes moved the motion to refuse (Full Planning) and this was seconded by Councillor Ganly.  The motion was declared LOST (3 for / 8 against / 2 abstentions).

Members considered that the proposed alterations to the Cottage would be an improvement to the current structure and would fit within the street scene whilst preserving the character of the conservation area.  Therefore, the Committee considered that the application for full planning should be granted subject to the inclusion of conditions for materials and those recommended by the County Archaeologist in connection with the medieval stone barrel-vaulted cellar.

Councillor Coleman moved the motion to grant approval and this was seconded by Councillor Thomas.  The motion was declared CARRIED (8 for / 3 against / 2 abstentions).

DECISION: GRANT (FULL PLANNING)

CONDITIONS:

1.     The development hereby permitted shall be begun before the expiration of three years from the date of this permission.

Reason: In accordance with section 91 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended by section 51 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004).

2.     The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved plans and details:

Site Plan Drawing No. 00218_150 dated 29 April 2019

Elevation Plan Drawing No. 00218_350 (amended by email from Agent – Amelia Finch, dated 5 July 2019)

Proposed Ground and First Floor Plan Drawing No. 00218_225 dated 29 April 2019

Design & Access Statement submitted with application.

Reason: For the avoidance of doubt and in the interests of proper planning, as advised in Planning Practice Guidance Paragraph: 022 Reference ID: 21a-022-20140306.

3.     No development above ground level shall take place until samples of the materials to be used in the construction of the external surfaces of the extensions and other buildings operations hereby permitted have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. Development shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details.

Reason: To ensure that the development reflects the character and/or appearance of the existing building and to preserve the visual amenities of the area in accordance with Policies OSS4 (iii) of the Rother Local Plan Core Strategy.

4.     Prior to the commencement of development and subsequent to an approved archaeological site investigation a construction method statement to show the preservation in-situ of significant archaeological remains shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. Development shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details.

Reason: To ensure that the archaeological and historical interest of the site is safeguarded to comply with the National Planning Policy Framework and in accordance with Policy EN2 (vi) of the Rother Local Plan Core Strategy.

5.     No development shall take place until the applicant has secured the implementation of a programme of archaeological works in accordance with a written scheme of investigation which has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

Reason: To ensure that the archaeological and historical interest of the site is safeguarded and recorded to comply with the National Planning Policy Framework and in accordance with Policy EN2 (vi) of the Rother Local Plan Core Strategy.

6.     The side extension hereby approved shall not be brought into use until the archaeological site investigation and post-investigation assessment (including providing for analysis, publication and dissemination of results and archive deposition) has been completed and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The archaeological site investigation and post-investigation assessment shall be undertaken in accordance with the programme set out in the written scheme of investigation approved under Condition 4.

Reason: To ensure that the archaeological and historical interest of the site is safeguarded and recorded to comply with the National Planning Policy Framework and in accordance with Policy EN2 (vi) of the Rother Local Plan Core Strategy.

NOTE:

1.     The Local Planning Authority has established that the cellar within the garden of Firebrand Cottage and subject of investigation in this application is Grade II listed. As such, listed building consent will be required for the side extension.

NATIONAL PLANNING POLICY FRAMEWORK:  In accordance with the requirements of the Framework (paragraph 38) and with the Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2015, the Local Planning Authority has acted positively and proactively in determining this application by identifying matters of concern within the application (as originally submitted) and negotiating, with the applicant, acceptable amendments to the proposal to address those concerns. As a result, the Local Planning Authority has been able to grant planning permission for an acceptable proposal, in accordance with the presumption in favour of sustainable development, as set out within the National Planning Policy Framework.