Former school annex dwelling at School Annexe, School Lane, Maidstone

What was proposed

The application sought a four-bedroom dwelling from the former single-storey school, with alterations, storage, parking, fencing and landscaping.

“Approximately one third of the building, which is a two storey element, to the east has been split off into a private dwelling – now known as no. School Lane. The site is located within the Maidstone Urban Area, in a residential area to the south-east of Mote Park and the Town Centre.”

“Alterations to the rear elevation: replacing the existing door with a window, the insertion of a new window and the replacement of a window with a door. • Alterations to glazing in the rear outrigger, removing a larger window and replacing it with a smaller window to serve an en-suite bathroom. • A new door to the side elevation and insertion of a window to the left.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The western part of the ragstone annex is vacant and lies in a residential area within the Maidstone urban area.

“MAIN REPORT 1. DESCRIPTION OF SITE 1.01 The proposed application relates to the School Annex which is a single storey, ragstone building set back from School Lane, in Maidstone. The application concerns the western portion of the building, which makes up approximately two thirds of the frontage to the west and the sire measures approximately 630 SQM. It is understood that historically the building was initially used as school and then by the Red Cross.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because the site suited urban development and the proposal was acceptable in design, amenity, parking and landscaping terms.

“Spatial Strategy: The site’s location within the designated Maidstone urban area aligns with the Local Plan Review policy LPRSS1, which supports making best use of available urban sites for development. Character and Appearance: The proposal, including fenestration alterations and landscaping, is considered to respect the character of the area and would not result in harm to visual amenity.”

“RECOMMENDATION GRANT PLANNING PERMISSION subject to the following conditions with delegated authority to the Head of Development Management to be able to settle or amend any necessary planning conditions and/or informatives in line with the matters set out in the recommendation and/or as resolved by the Planning Committee: CONDITIONS: 1) Time The development hereby permitted shall be begun before the expiration of three years from the date of this permission; Reason: In…”

Officer report

Residents’ concerns

One representation objected over overlooking, heritage, bin storage beside a kitchen window and the possible loss of a mature tree.

“LOCAL REPRESENTATIONS Local Residents: One representation has been received objecting to the application for the following (summarised) reasons: • Overlooking/loss of privacy: to ground floor side window of neighbouring property, and overlooking to garden. • Concern over alterations to the building and its heritage value [Officer Comment: the building is not listed and does not feature of the Council’s list of non-designated Heritage Assets].”

“Bin stores inappropriately located next to the kitchen window of the adjoining property. • Concern over loss of a mature tree.”

Officer report

Who spoke

A statement was read for a concerned resident, and the applicant’s representative addressed the committee.

The decision

Planning permission was granted with delegated powers to settle or amend necessary conditions and informatives.

“That the Head of Planning and Economic Development be given delegated powers to be able to settle or amend any necessary planning conditions and/or informatives in line with the matters set out in the recommendation and as resolved by the Planning Committee.”

Minutes

Conditions attached

Conditions covered timing, approved plans, landscaping, water efficiency, privacy screening, bin stores and hard landscaping.

“Reason: In the interests of landscape, visual impact, and amenity of the area and to ensure a satisfactory appearance to the development. The reason for the longer 10 year period is to support biodiversity and visual amenity.”

“6) Privacy Screen Prior to the occupation of the development herby approved details of screening to the two ground floor windows of no.3 School Lane, which face onto the rear garden of the School Annexe site shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The approved screen shall thereafter be retained. Reason: In the interests of limiting undue harmful impacts to the privacy of neighbouring occupiers.”

Officer report