ERFC Planning Application
• ERFC decided a year ago that plans it had produced for the conversion of the Science Block should form part of a planning application to Sevenoaks.
• The application was duly submitted in February 2007.
• The fact that ERFC had no prospect at that time of securing the playing fields with the Science Block retained had no bearing on the legitimacy of the application.
• The SDC Head of Planning recommended approval, but the Chairman of Edenbridge Town Council, Councillor Jill Davison, herself a SDC member, attended the meeting of the SDC Development Control Committee and spoke against the application. The result was the committee refused the application.
• The reasons for refusal were principally based on the fact that the 100 vehicle car park would be exceeded on five winter Sundays, when vehicles would need to park on the surrounding roads.
• ERFC have re-applied and to overcome the objections have said that it will use the Recreation Ground on those 5 busy Sundays. This will guarantee the continuing congestion in Coomb Field and the surrounding area.
• The residents of this area may well feel aggrieved. If so blame your local councillors, not the ERFC.