Edited extracts from the draft minutes of the Planning Committee meeting held on 28th March 2019.
SDNP/19/00471/HOUS
SANDROCK, OLD LONDON ROAD, COLDWALTHAM
Replacement of windows, existing tile hanging on first floor and reconstruction of porch in oak with plain clay tile roof
In a brief discussion, the Council concluded that the proposed window replacement and change in exterior treatment would be beneficial rather than detrimental to the Coldwaltham conservation area.
RESOLVED: To raise no objection the application.
SDNP/19/00967/HOUS
LARAMIE, CHURCH LANE, COLDWALTHAM
Demolition of existing store and erection of a single storey side and rear extension
Councillors noted the rather tired appearance and unimproved feel of the property as it stood. The proposed changes seemed well-suited to the site and would enhance the appearance of the property, albeit they would move the house upmarket when the wider need was for more affordable homes. The careful and detailed compliance with Dark Skies policy was especially to be commended, and should be emphasised to the Planning Authority, which had recently seemed unaware of the dark sky environment in Coldwaltham village and the need to protect it.
RESOLVED: To support the application, and in particular to draw the Planning Authority’s attention to its exemplary compliance with the Dark Skies policy of the National Park Authority.
SDNP/19/00869/HOUS
4 BROOKVIEW SOUTH COLDWALTHAM
Demolition of existing store and erection of a single storey side and rear extension
Councillor Burr presented the plans to the meeting. Councillors noted their similarity to a recent application on the opposite side of the road (SDNP/18/03986/HOUS) to which the Parish Council had raised no objection. In both cases, however, skylights had been included, a recurring feature of house extensions in the area, and it was perhaps time to remind the planning authority of the cumulative detriment to dark skies. The careful attention to this aspect in the application just discussed (SDNP/19/00967/HOUS) would serve to illustrate how this issue could and should be addressed.
RESOLVED: To raise no objection to the application, but to emphasise the need for mitigating potential light spill in planning decisions.
