Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber, - Swale House. View directions

Contact: Democratic Services, 01795 417330 

Items
No. Item

274.

Fire Evacuation Procedure

The Chairman will advise the meeting of the evacuation procedures to follow in the event of an emergency. This is particularly important for visitors and members of the public who will be unfamiliar with the building and procedures.

 

The Chairman will inform the meeting whether there is a planned evacuation drill due to take place, what the alarm sounds like (i.e. ringing bells), where the closest emergency exit route is, and where the second closest emergency exit route is, in the event that the closest exit or route is blocked.

 

The Chairman will inform the meeting that:

 

(a) in the event of the alarm sounding, everybody must leave the building via the nearest safe available exit and gather at the Assembly points at the far side of the Car Park.  Nobody must leave the assembly point until everybody can be accounted for and nobody must return to the building until the Chairman has informed them that it is safe to do so; and

 

(b) the lifts must not be used in the event of an evacuation.

 

Any officers present at the meeting will aid with the evacuation.

 

It is important that the Chairman is informed of any person attending who is disabled or unable to use the stairs, so that suitable arrangements may be made in the event of an emergency.

 

Minutes:

The Chairman ensured that those present were aware of the emergency evacuation procedure.

275.

Minutes

To approve the Minutes of the Meeting held on 14 September 2017 (Minute Nos. 226 - 236) as a correct record.

 

Minutes:

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 14 September 2017 (Minute Nos. 226 – 236) were taken as read, approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

276.

Welcome

Minutes:

The by-election held in August 2017 resulted in a change to the political balance of the Planning Committee.  The Chairman welcomed Councillor Harrison to the Committee.

277.

Declarations of Interest

Councillors should not act or take decisions in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves or their spouse, civil partner or person with whom they are living with as a spouse or civil partner.  They must declare and resolve any interests and relationships.

 

The Chairman will ask Members if they have any interests to declare in respect of items on this agenda, under the following headings:

 

(a)          Disclosable Pecuniary Interests (DPI) under the Localism Act 2011.  The nature as well as the existence of any such interest must be declared.  After declaring a DPI, the Member must leave the meeting and not take part in the discussion or vote.  This applies even if there is provision for public speaking.

 

(b)          Disclosable Non Pecuniary (DNPI) under the Code of Conduct adopted by the Council in May 2012.  The nature as well as the existence of any such interest must be declared.  After declaring a DNPI interest, the Member may stay, speak and vote on the matter.

 

(c)          Where it is possible that a fair-minded and informed observer, having considered the facts would conclude that there was a real possibility that the Member might be predetermined or biased the Member should declare their predetermination or bias and then leave the room while that item is considered.

 

Advice to Members:  If any Councillor has any doubt about the existence or nature of any DPI or DNPI which he/she may have in any item on this agenda, he/she should seek advice from the Monitoring Officer, the Head of Legal or from other Solicitors in Legal Services as early as possible, and in advance of the Meeting.

 

Minutes:

No interests were declared.

278.

Planning Working Group

To approve the Minutes of the Meeting held on 2 October 2017 (Minute Nos. 248 - 249).

 

To consider application 16/506316/FULL The Old School, London Road, Dunkirk, ME13 9LF.

 

Minutes:

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 2 October 2017 (Minute Nos. 248 – 249) were taken as read, approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record, subject to the inclusion of Councillor Mike Baldock’s apologies.

 

16/506316/FULL The Old School, London Road, Dunkirk, ME13 9LF

 

The Chairman moved the officer recommendation to approve the application and this was seconded.

 

Resolved:  That application 16/506316/FULL be approved subject to conditions (1) to (19) in the report.

279.

Deferred Items pdf icon PDF 768 KB

To consider the following applications:

 

1.    16/506986/FULL, 116 Oak Lane, Upchurch

2.    16/505355/FULL, Ivygate, Greyhound Road, Minster

3.    17/501399/FULL, Rambling Rose, Greyhound Road, Minster

 

Members of the public are advised to confirm with Planning Services prior to the meeting that the applications will be considered at this meeting.

 

Requests to speak on these items must be registered with Democratic Services (democraticservices@swale.gov.uk or call us on 01795 417328) by noon on Wednesday 11 October 2017.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Reports shown in previous Minutes as being deferred from that Meeting

 

Def Item 1     REFERENCE NO - 16/506986/FULL

APPLICATION PROPOSAL

Demolition of no. 116 Oak Lane and construction of 2 no. three bedroom houses and 1 no. four bedroom with associated garages and parking.

ADDRESS 116 Oak Lane, Upchurch, Kent ME9 7AY  

WARDHartlip, Newington And Upchurch

PARISH/TOWN COUNCIL Upchurch

APPLICANT Gransden Construction

AGENT Kent Design Partnership

 

The Senior Planner reported that six further representations objecting to the application had been received.  These raised issues similar to those already noted in the report, or technical highway issues.  He reported that a site meeting had been held on 4 October 2017, where the addition of a build-out was discussed.  This included a build-out, traffic priority signage, and bollards to prevent cars from mounting the pavement, and Kent County Council (KCC) Highways and Transportation agreed that they were acceptable.   Local residents and Councillors at the meeting had indicated a preference for the build-out to be positioned on the opposite side of the highway to the application site. 

 

Amended drawings had since been received showing the works on the opposite side of the road, and KCC Highways and Transportation had no objection to these, and noted that the works were not a requirement of the application.  A further drawing showing vehicle tracking for properties close to the build-out had also been provided. 

 

The Senior Planner sought either approval of the application with the build-out on the same side as the development, or sought delegation to approve subject to no further issues following consultation on the amended drawingsshowing the build-out on the other side of the road.

 

Parish Councillor Gary Rosewell, representing Upchurch Parish Council, spoke in support of the application.

 

Mr Ray Hamma, an objector, spoke against the application.

 

Mr John Collins, the Agent, spoke in support of the application.

 

The Chairman moved the officer recommendation to approve the application and this was seconded.

 

A Ward Member spoke in support of the application.

 

Members raised points which included:  preferred egress onto Wallbridge Lane;  this was a dangerous stretch of road; important that local residents were happy with the revised scheme; welcomed the traffic calming; and this was an improved scheme.

 

In response to a question, the Senior Planner stated that having the build-out on the opposite side of the road to the development seemed to be the more popular option.

 

Resolved:  That application 16/506986/FULL be delegated to officers to approve subject to conditions (1) to (14) in the report, and no further issues with regard to the amended drawings, which set out the build-out on the opposite side to the development.

 

Def Item 2       REFERENCE NO -  16/505355/FULL

APPLICATION PROPOSAL

Variation of Condition 7 of planning application SW/11/0420 (Change of use for the stationing of one mobile home and the erection of a utility room for use by a gypsy family) - to retain change of use on permanent basis, or for a further temporary period

ADDRESS Ivygate,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 279.

280.

Schedule of Decisions pdf icon PDF 45 KB

To consider the attached report (Parts 1, 2, 3 and 5).

 

The Council operates a scheme of public speaking at meetings of the Planning Committee.  All applications on which the public has registered to speak will be taken first.  Requests to speak at the meeting must be registered with Democratic Services (democraticservices@swale.gov.uk or call 01795 417328) by noon on Wednesday 11 October 2017.

 

Appendix 1 for item 2.10 full set of papers published 5 October 2017.

 

Additional paper for item 3.2 added 10 October 2017.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

PART 1

 

Any other reports to be considered in the public session

 

1.1  Section 106 Contributions held (August 2017)

 

1.2 Section 106 Agreements signed

 

Members noted the reports and the Chairman requested that if Members had any outstanding issues that they contacted the relevant officer outside of the meeting.

 

PART 2

 

Applications for which PERMISSION is recommended

 

2.1       REFERENCE NO -  17/503458/FULL

APPLICATION PROPOSAL

Change of use from storage to MOT testing and the servicing and repairs of cars and light commercial vehicles.

ADDRESS Unit 2 Stickfast Farm, Sheppey Way, Bobbing, Sittingbourne, Kent, ME9 8QP.

WARD Bobbing, Iwade And Lower Halstow

PARISH/TOWN COUNCIL Bobbing

APPLICANT Mr Harry Stockwell

AGENT

 

The Senior Planner reported that the applicant had submitted additional information which explained that he employed 27 people over four sites.  Employees on the existing Grovehurst site had to leave because of redevelopment of the site, and these staff were on temporary contracts at other sites, pending the outcome of this application.

 

The Bobbing Parish Council representative, due to speak, was not present at the meeting.

 

Mr Harry Stockwell, the Applicant, spoke in support of the application.

 

The Chairman moved the officer recommendation to approve the application and this was seconded.

 

Members raised points which included:  this would increase traffic in the surrounding area; problem of speeding vehicles; this was a reasonable location for this type of business, with the area already being heavily industrialised; the site was hidden from the road; the road was free-flowing; this was a perfect location; endorsed the application; there was lots of parking on-site; and there was an existing unit on the site frontage which would protect residents from any noise.

 

Resolved:  That application 17/503458/FULL be approved subject to conditions (1) to (3) in the report.

 

2.2       REFERENCE NO - 17/502405/FULL

APPLICATION PROPOSAL

Erection of a new dwelling with associated works in rear garden area fronting Woodcourt Close.

ADDRESS 5 Park Avenue, Sittingbourne, Kent ME10 1QX  

WARD Woodstock

PARISH/TOWN COUNCIL

APPLICANT Mrs Joan Arthurs

AGENT Sevencroft Ltd

 

The Senior Planner reported that a further letter had been received which had asked why there had been no re-consultation on the amended drawings.  He explained that it had only been a minor amendment to the size of parking spaces, and as such had not warranted further consultation.

 

Mr Mark Joyce, the Applicant, spoke in support of the application.

 

The Chairman moved the officer recommendation to approve the application and this was seconded.

 

A Ward Member spoke against the application.  He raised the following concerns:  this was a tight squeeze to fit onto the application site; tandem parking issues; and traffic nuisance.

 

Councillor Derek Conway moved a motion for a site meeting.  This was seconded by Councillor Mike Baldock. 

 

Members spoke in both support and against a site meeting.  They considered it could be useful to see the impact on the local area, but also failed to see what was to be gained that could not be seen from plans and photographs.

 

On being put  ...  view the full minutes text for item 280.

281.

Exclusion of the Press and Public

To decide whether to pass the resolution set out below in respect of the following item:

 

That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7.

 

1.    Information relating to any individual.

2.    Information which is likely to reveal the identity of an individual.

3.    Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information). See note below.

4.    Information relating to any consultations or negotiations, or contemplated consultations or negotiations, in connection with any labour relations matter arising between the authority or a Minister of the Crown and any employees of, or office holders under, the authority.

5.    Information in respect of which a claim to legal professional privilege could be maintained in legal proceedings.

6.    Information which reveals that the authority proposes

(a)  To give under any enactment a notice under or by virtue of which requirements are imposed on a person; or

(b)  To make an order or direction under any enactment.

7.    Information relation to any action in connection with the prevention, investigation or prosecution of crime.

 

 

Minutes:

Councillor Mike Baldock requested that it be recorded that he voted against the resolution below.

 

Resolved: 

 

(1) That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 2, 3 and 6 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act:

1. Information relating to any individual.

2. Information which is likely to reveal the identity of an individual.

3. Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

4.  Information relating to any consultation or negotiations, in connection with any labour relations matter arising between the authority or a Minister of the Crown and any employees of, or office holders under, the authority.

5.  Information in respect of which a claim to legal professional privilege could be maintained in legal proceedings.

6. Information which reveals that the authority proposes:

(a) to give under any enactment a notice under or by virtue of which requirements are imposed on a person; or

(b) to make an order or direction under any enactment.

7.  Information relating to any action taken in connection with the prevention, investigation or prosecution of crime.

 

 

282.

Schedule of Decisions

To consider the attached report. (Part 6).

Minutes:

6.1   Application 16/505280/OUT  - Land at Swale Way, East Hall Farm, East Hall Lane, Sittingbourne, Kent, ME10 3TJ -  Outline Application for residential development (up to 33 dwellings), and open space; including associated access (vehicular/cycle/pedestrian), alterations to levels, surface water attenuation features (including swales), landscaping and related development

 

Members spoke in support of the recommendation.


Resolved:  That the Council do not defend the reason for refusal of the planning application at the Planning Inquiry on 17 October 2017, and that the Council applies for costs against the appellant.

 

 

283.

Suspension of Standing Orders

Minutes:

 

At 10pm Members agreed to the suspension of Standing Orders in order that the Committee could complete its business.