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.

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

To approve the Minutes of the Meeting held on 22 June 2017 (Minute Nos. 56 - 64) as a correct record.

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 22 June 2017 (Minute Nos. 56 – 64) were taken as read, approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record, subject to the following amendments:

Minute No. 61:

Item 3.2 15/505069/FULL “The Chairman moved the officer recommendation to refuse the application and this was seconded”, not “approve” as stated.

Item 3.3 17/500313/OUT the last comment on paragraph six should read “this was the largest area of ancient woodland in the county” not “country” as stated.

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.

No interests were declared.

To consider the following applications:

17/500397/FULL – The Laurels, Darlington Drive, Minster

16/508117/OUT – The Slips, Scocles Road, Minster

16/501266/FULL – 99 High Street and land to the north of High Street, Newington

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 19 July 2017.

Tabled papers for Deferred Item 3 99 High Street, Newington published Friday 21 July 2017.

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

A Ward Member considered that the Kent County Council (KCC) parking policy only worked if the development was within a town, as public transport was not so accessible within a village.  He considered that two reduced size parking spaces would be better than one space.

Some Members considered it not unreasonable for two parking spaces to be provided.

Resolved:  That application 17/500397/FULL be approved subject to conditions (1) to (4) in the report.

The Major Projects Officer reported that contrary to the recommendation on page 13 of the Committee report, the further comments from KCC Highways and Transportation had been received, as set out on page 14 of the Committee report.  They raised no objection, subject to the relevant conditions and Section 106 clauses also as set out in the Committee report.

Parish Councillor John Stanford, representing Minster Parish Council, spoke against the application.

Mr Michael Blee, an objector, spoke against the application.

Mr Mick Drury, the Agent, spoke in support of the application.

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

Ward Members raised comments which included: the Local Plan Inspector had approved so had to concede defeat, but considered that 62 properties was too many; there were already traffic issues along Scocles Road with vehicles not being able to pass buses; and hoped that the number of properties proposed could be reduced to 50.

Councillor Cameron Beart moved the following addendum: “That the further condition outlined in paragraph 3.05, on page 15 of the Committee report, be imposed.”  This is outlined below: 

The development shall be carried out in accordance with an agreed phasing plan detailing the delivery of the housing so that occupation of no more than 22 dwellings takes place prior to the Lower Road/Barton Hill Drive roundabout becoming operational.

Reason: In the interests of ensuring that the necessary highway infrastructure is in place prior to the full traffic impact of the housing development.

This was seconded by Councillor Mike Dendor.  On being put to the vote the addendum was agreed.

Members considered the application and raised points which included: considered the application was acceptable; concerned that if we approved the application now, we would not have grounds to reduce the number of dwellings provided at the Reserved Matters stage; inappropriate density of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 114.

To consider the attached report (Parts 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 19 July 2017.

Tabled paper for Item 2.4 published Friday 21 July 2017.

PART 2

Applications for which PERMISSION is recommended

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

Mr Dan Finch, the Applicant, spoke in support of the application.

A Member was disappointed that no representative from Rodmersham Parish Council was present.

Resolved:  That application 17/501750/FULL be approved subject to conditions (1) to (3) in the report.

The Development Manager advised that officers had sought and received clarification from the applicant regarding size and need for first floor accommodation as proposed, due to appropriate size for wheelchair access and other mobility aids and business needs of application as an Local Exhaust Ventilation engineer.

The Chairman moved a motion for a site meeting.  This was seconded by Councillor Mike Henderson.  On being put to the vote the motion was agreed.

Miss Jane Bastow, the Applicant, spoke in support of the application.

Parish Councillor Gary Rosewell, representing Upchurch Parish Council and Mr Brian Evans, an objector, did not speak.

Resolved: That application 17/502213/FULL be deferred to allow the Planning Working Group to meet on site.

The Senior Planner reported that KCC Ecology raised no objection following submission of an ecological scoping survey provided that two conditions were added relating to clearance of the vegetation on site and measures for doing that, and measures for ecological enhancements.

The Senior Planner further reported that KCC Highways and Transportation raised no objection.  The Senior Planner considered that condition (10) would cover the points they had previously made on the upgrading works proposed to Eastern Road.

The Senior Planner advised that the scheme had been amended during the course of the application, and the siting of units 5-8 had been pulled back into the site slightly (by around two metres).  This amended layout was the scheme that the main report was based upon.  The Parish Council and neighbouring properties should have been notified of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 115.

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

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 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.

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.

To consider the attached report (Part 6).

6.1 17/500498/FULL – Fencing and conservatory at 43 Hugh Price Close, Sittingbourne, Kent, ME10 3AS

Resolved:  That an Enforcement Notice be issued pursuant to the provisions of Section 172 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, as amended, requiring the removal of the fencing and conservatory within 3 months of the Notice taking effect.

That the Head of Planning Services and Head of Legal Partnership of the Council be authorised to prepare and serve the necessary documentation, including the precise wording thereof to give effect to this decision.

6.2 17/501661/FULL – Fencing at 11 Hustlings Drive, Eastchurch, Sheerness, Kent, ME12 4JX

Resolved:  That an Enforcement Notice be issued pursuant to the provisions of Section 172 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, as amended, requiring the removal of the fencing within 3 months of the Notice taking effect.

That the Head of Planning Services and Head of Legal Partnership of the Council be authorised to prepare and serve the necessary documentation, including the precise wording thereof to give effect to this decision.