Drainage condition change at Ivy Cottages Dunsden Green Dunsden, Dunsden Green

What was proposed

Varying a drainage condition on an approved scheme of extensions and two new houses, opposed by the parish council.

“Variation of Condition 9 of P24/S0673/FUL (surface water drainage scheme) to amend the wording.”

“The S73 application was to vary the wording Condition 9 of the original planning application P24/S0673/FUL. Condition 9 related to the surface water drainage scheme for the development.”

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Why the foul sewer was needed

After exhausting other options, the only viable surface water drainage route was the foul sewer, now accepted by the Council under building regulations.

“The developer had exhausted all available options to provide a viable surface water drainage scheme with the only remaining option being to discharge surface water into the foul sewer network. The original condition specifically stated that discharge into the foul sewer network would not be supported by the Council.”

“Following a number of failed attempts to discharge this condition and through conversations with Thames Water, the Council now accepts the option of discharging surface water into the foul sewer network under Part H of the building regulations.”

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What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval with added conditions requiring an engineer's report confirming the drainage systems were properly installed.

“As all alternative options had been considered and exhausted, the recommendation of officers was that planning permission was granted with the addition of two conditions which would require the compliance of both surface and foul drainage systems, with a report to be submitted by an appropriately qualified engineer and would demonstrate that sustainable drainage systems had been installed and completed in accordance with the approved scheme.”

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Who spoke

A parish council representative, two objectors and a supporter spoke on the application.

What members debated

Members questioned the storm event the scheme was designed for and the flow rate limits, before some argued the foul sewer discharge still did not feel right.

“A member asked for clarification on whether the surface water would only discharge to the foul network in a 1 in 100 year storm event. The committee were advised that it would happen for all storm events. The application was designed to accommodate up to a 1 in 100 year storm event with a 40 percent allowance for climate change.”

“A member countered that while there may not be a legal reason to refuse, it did not feel correct to approve a scheme that would discharge surface water into the foul sewer network.”

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What was decided

A motion to refuse fell for lack of a seconder, and the committee approved the application subject to the conditions listed.

“A motion, moved, to refuse the application was not seconded and as such fell.”

“RESOLVED: to approve planning application P25/S3436/S73 subject to the following conditions: Approved plans 2. Materials as on plan 3. Existing vehicular access 4. Vision splay protection 5. Parking & Manoeuvring Areas (implement as approved) 6. Landscaping Scheme (implement as approved) 7. Tree Protection (implement as approved) 8. Surface water drainage works (implement as approved) 9. Foul drainage works (implement as approved) 10.”

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