Issue - meetings

20/501035/HEDGE - Land South Of Marden Rd - Staplehurst, Marden Road, Staplehurst, Kent, TN12 0PE

Meeting: 25/06/2020 - Planning Committee (Item 287)

287 20/501035/HEDGE - HEDGEROW REMOVAL NOTICE - TO ESTABLISH ACCESS AND WORKING AREA FOR SOUTHERN WATER SEWER CONNECTION FOR A DEVELOPMENT - LAND SOUTH OF MARDEN ROAD - STAPLEHURST, MARDEN ROAD, STAPLEHURST, KENT pdf icon PDF 209 KB

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Minutes:

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Planning and Development.  In presenting the application, the Landscape Officer advised the Committee that since the publication of the agenda, the applicant had provided further information in response to some of the objections and comments set out in the report, summarised as follows:

 

·  The applicant had confirmed that the Southern Water scheme was a foul sewer connection to serve the Hen and Duckhurst development.  This solution was the only one progressed as a result of the optioneering process on the outline proposal that showed the sewage for the site going north was discounted.  The solution had been designed to ensure no detriment downstream and another scheme was under development to address existing issues.

 

·  Access to the site would be taken from the proposed eastern gap in the hedgerow.  A preliminary ecological appraisal and hedgerow assessment would be undertaken to identify and mitigate for all potential ecological impacts.

 

·  Southern Water policy was to work towards a net gain in biodiversity.  The hedgerow would be fully reinstated upon completion of the work.  An ecological site visit had been undertaken and the relevant reports were under development.

 

·  Southern Water Property would handle all land access requirements.  The location of the connection into the existing network necessitated removal of the sections of the hedgerow.  The connection was beneath the hedgerow and a working area was required to facilitate the proposed works which would be carried out under Southern Water’s permitted development rights.  The box culvert storage tank would be located below ground.

 

The Chairman read out a statement which had been submitted by Mr Buller (an objector) and the representative of the Head of Legal Partnership read out a statement which had been submitted by Councillor Sharp of Staplehurst Parish Council.

 

Contrary to the recommendation of the Head of Planning and Development, which was to raise no objection to the proposed removal of the hedgerow, the Committee agreed that a Hedgerow Retention Notice should be issued.  In making this decision, the Committee considered that, taking into account its entire length, there are more than seven woody species within the hedgerow so it would appear to qualify as “important”.  The Committee considered that by designating the hedge as important, a less damaging approach to achieving the sewer connection can be progressed.

 

RESOLVED:  That a Hedgerow Retention Notice be issued as, taking into account its entire length, there are more than seven woody species within the hedgerow so it would appear to qualify as “important”.  Also, by designating the hedge as important, a less damaging approach to achieving the sewer connection can be progressed.

 

Voting:  13 – For  0 – Against  0 – Abstentions