House extensions and outbuilding at 11 Crawshay Close, Sevenoaks

What was proposed

The application covered several house extensions and alterations, a side canopy, rear decking and landscaping, and a rear-garden outbuilding.

“- 25/02921/HOUSE Revised expiry date 6 April 2026 Proposal: Single-storey rear extension, introduction of a bay window at the front of the building, garage extension to the front, 1st floor rear extension, loft conversion with juliet balcony, roof extension, internal alterations, alterations to fenestration. Erection of a lightweight open timber canopy to the side of the building, rear decking area and associated landscaping.”

Officer report

The site

The site is a modest semi-detached home in an elongated plot, set back from the road with a large planted rear garden.

“Description of site 1. The application site comprises a modest, semi-detached property within an elongated plot. The existing dwelling is set back from the adjacent road and benefits from a large rear garden with extensive areas of planting. 2. The application site is within both the Urban Confines of Sevenoaks and the Sevenoaks Residential Character Area. Description of proposal 3.”

Officer report

What consultees said

The town council recommended refusal, while the tree officer had no objection and said the trees would not be harmed.

“Sevenoaks Residential Character Area Assessment (I23); • Flood Zone 2 Consultations 14 Sevenoaks Town Council 15 “Sevenoaks Town Council recommended refusal on the following grounds: • Overdevelopment of the house and size / height of outbuilding • Inappropriate roof line • Inappropriate treatment of facade causing loss of the unifying street scene • Impact on the street scene altering the appearance of this pair of semis • Overlooking of neighbours • Loss of light and…”

“They are positioned 9.0m from the rear of the existing building. Any excavation would be taking place outside of the RPA of these trees. The proposed outbuilding should not affect the Willow tree located beyond the western boundary as a retaining wall is located in between. This would be acting as a root barrier. Therefore, I have no objection to the proposal.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The committee heard one speaker against the application, one for it, a town representative and a local member.

Members’ discussion

Some members considered the proposal harmful to the semi-detached pair and overdeveloped, while others saw effective space use and limited character impact.

“Members asked further questions of clarification of the officer. They were advised that the refusal of the lawful development certificate was not a determination of the suitability of the proposal and was instead a determination that planning permission would be required. The kitchen of the neighbouring property was not considered a habitable room; there was a separate dining area within an extension.”

“Members discussed the report. Some councillors expressed concern over the impact of the development on the street scene and character of the area, which they felt had been somewhat preserved. They considered that the proposal would unbalance the pair of semi-detached houses by altering the windows and the ridge height. They were further concerned that the plot was overdeveloped.”

Minutes

The vote

The chairman’s motion to agree the amended recommendations was put to the vote and carried as the committee’s resolution.

“It was moved by the Chairman that the recommendations within the report, as amended by the late observations, be agreed.”

“The motion was put to the vote and it was…”

Minutes

The committee’s decision

The committee granted planning permission, subject to conditions covering commencement, approved plans, materials and outbuilding foundations.

“2) The development hereby approved shall be implemented in accordance with the following approved plans and details: Proposed Site Plan (2507CD 201 Rev.C); Proposed Ground Floor Plan (2507CD 212 Rev.C); Proposed First Floor Plan (2507CD 213 Rev.C); Proposed Second Floor Plan (2507CD 214 Rev.C); Proposed Roof Plan (2507CD 215 Rev.C); Proposed Front and Rear Elevations (2507CD 220 Rev.C); Proposed Side Elevations (2507CD 221 Rev.C); Proposed Sections (2507CD 230 Rev.C);…”

“4) Prior to the commencement of works to erect the outbuilding shown on the approved plans, details of its foundations shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority. The outbuilding shall be erected in accordance with the proposed details.”

Minutes