Apartment building changes at 69 - 71 Culverden Down, Royal Tunbridge Wells

The site and surroundings

The site is a vacant detached property on a lower-level plot in a residential area of detached homes and spacious gardens.

“The application site, 69 Culverden Down, is a two storey detached property located on the south side of Culverden Down. The property is set back 17m from the road where it is accessed by a driveway located in the north eastern corner of the plot. The property is set on a notably lower land level to the road; the land level within the site generally slopes towards the rear of the plot.”

“The site is located within a predominantly residential location where the immediate area comprises detached properties within spacious plots. The properties along the south side of Culverden Down are all detached and generally follow a building line that is set back a similar distance to the road. To the rear of the site are detached properties situated along Connaught Way which sit at a lower level to the application site.”

Officer report

Highways and supporting comments

Highways raised no objections, while the applicant said the changes were minor, improved the homes and reflected updated building and fire regulations.

“KCC Highways No objections raised in relation to variation or the submitted Construction Management Plan.”

“In the context of the overall site, the proposed changes are relatively minor and would result in higher quality dwellings. The proposed changes to the positioning and height of the development are a result of changes to building regulations and fire safety regulations that have changed in recent years.”

Officer report

Who spoke at the meeting

Four local residents spoke as objectors, one representative spoke for the applicant, and the ward member also registered to speak.

Members’ questions and debate

Members considered the increased ridge height, overlooking, privacy safeguards and building regulations, with some concern about why regulatory changes were needed.

“- Members were reminded that the application for determination related to the differences between the scheme that was approved in 2023 and the current submission. - In relation to overlooking concerns from the rear of the site, the properties at the rear were 66 metres away, a significant distance that would not cause significant visual impact.”

“- Raising the ridge height above that which was approved by the Inspector in 2007 was not deemed to be a significant change. - Members did not feel that there would be significant impact from overlooking to neighbouring properties. - Any actions required relating to building control and regulations would be for the applicant to undertake and pursue as this was outside of the planning remit.”

Minutes

The vote and decision

Members voted four to two to approve the application in line with the officer recommendation, subject to the listed conditions.

“RESOLVED – That application PLA372/26 be granted subject to the following conditions (that maybe subject to amendment or additional conditions prior to the decision being issued)”

Minutes