Issue - meetings

DEFERRED TO LIST 2

Description of application – The enlargement of the existing car park for Keston Parish Church and Church Hall.

Oral representations in support of the application were received.  Oral representations from Ward Member, Councillor David Jefferys, in support of the application were received at the meeting. Councillor Jefferys also spoke on behalf of his fellow Ward Member, Councillor Robert Mcilveen.

Councillor Jefferys informed the Sub-Committee that there was wide support in the community for the enlargement of the carpark so long as road safety was addressed and that it would enhance the green belt and tidy the site.

Supplementary information from the applicant had been received and circulated to Members.

The Chief Planner’s representative said that the applicant has indicated he would be prepared to change the proposed car park material to reinforced grass mesh to reduce its visual impact, and had confirmed that the proposed development was for a parking annex, ancillary to the main parking area.

The Chairman said that for a development of this nature very special circumstances would have to be established that would not harm the Green Belt. Currently the carpark was inadequate for the use of the Church and Hall and people were forced to park on the narrow lanes which was a favourite for cyclists and pedestrians, being a road safety hazard.  The Chairman welcomed the proposed change of material to a permeable surface and stressed that site was untidy with some dead and diseased trees and rubbish and that the proposed annex would enhance the area and suggested that a road safety audit be undertaken.

Councillor Fawthrop was aware of traffic congestion in the area and supported the change of material and suggested that if permission were to be granted at a later stage, a personal planning condition for Church use only should be considered.

As trees were proposed to be removed Councillor Mark Brock suggested that the applicant inform the Council of its proposals for the replanting of trees.

Members having considered the report and representations, RESOLVED that THE APPLICATION BE DEFERRED, without prejudice to any future consideration, on Section 2 of the agenda of a future meeting of the Plans Sub-Committee for a road safety audit report and tree planting details to be submitted.