Issue - meetings

REFUSED

Description of application: Retrospective application for a single storey rear extension to restaurant.

This application sits in the Station Square Petts Wood Conservation Area. The recommendation of the planning report was for refusal.

Ward Councillor Tony Owen supported the recommendation for refusal and stated that immediate enforcement action should be initiated. This motion was formerly seconded by Ward Councillor Simon Fawthrop. A Member wondered if there was any method by which a fine could be imposed if a tree had been damaged.

The Tree Officer said that this matter had been on the enforcement radar for some time and that harm had been caused to the tree many years ago. A summary offence had been committed but the 6 month period that the Council had to take any action that could have resulted in fines being levied had expired. The Tree Team were working with the Enforcement Team to encourage enforcement action to remove the structure and it was hoped to get the hard landscaping to a permeable surface as part of this action. 

Recommendation was that the application be refused and that immediate enforcement action be undertaken and Environmental Health be consulted.