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.

9.30am - (2.2) 16/501552/FULL – *Winterbourne Wood Quarry, Jezzards Lane, Dunkirk, ME13 9PH

*There will be serious parking difficulties at Winterbourne, no more than two cars can park anywhere near the site.  Further advice is being sought and will be circulated.

11.30am - (2.5) 16/508023/FULL – 10 Western Avenue, Halfway, Sheerness, ME12 3BS

PRESENT:  Councillors Mike Baldock, Bobbin, Cameron Beart, Andy Booth (Vice-Chairman), Richard Darby, Mike Dendor, James Hall, Mike Henderson, Nigel Kay, Bryan Mulhern (Chairman), Prescott and Ghlin Whelan.

ALSO IN ATTENDANCE:  Councillor Bowles (Ward Member).

OFFICERS PRESENT: Andrew Jeffers, Kellie Mackenzie and Graham Thomas.

APOLOGIES: Councillors Roger Clark, James Hunt, Ken Ingleton and Peter Marchington.

The Chairman welcomed the applicant, applicants’ agent, members of the public, Parish Council representatives, and a Ward Member to the meeting.

The Area Planning Officer introduced the application which sought revocation of quarrying use and erection of 4 no. detached dwellings with garages, associated landscaping, enlarged lake and use of existing access at Winterbourne Wood Quarry, Jezzards Lane, Dunkirk.

The Area Planning Officer described the site which was 1.6km south of Boughton.  He noted that the applicant had marked out the location of the proposed development for Members.  The Area Planning Officer stated that whilst footpaths surrounded the site there was no public access to it.  The site was within the Blean Woods South Local Wildlife Site as defined by the Kent Wildlife Trust (KWT).

The Area Planning Officer outlined the planning history of the site as set-out in the Planning Committee report, in particular the quarrying use at the site and application SW/12/0077 for a single dwelling house which was allowed on appeal (this had not been implemented and the permission had now expired).  The Area Planning Officer reported that Kent County Council (KCC) had confirmed that the planning permission for quarrying at the site was still ‘live’.  24 objections to the application had been received, which included the following points: lanes were poor and narrow; the location was not sustainable; loss of wildlife; drainage problems; and this application would be a greater threat than the resumption of quarrying.

The Area Planning Officer reported that whilst Dunkirk Parish Council had supported the original application for a single dwelling, they raised objection to this application on grounds which included: no transport links; unsustainable due to its location; and the Council’s housing land supply had increased, so no need for this small development.  The Area Planning Officer reported that Boughton Parish Council now raised objection to the application for reasons which included:  access roads were not suitable for HGVs; and would lead to mud on the road.

The Area Planning Officer stated that KCC Highways and Transportation had not commented on the application.  KCC Ecology raised no objection but recommended conditions to cover: lighting design strategy; an ecological mitigation method statement; and an ecological design strategy. 

The Area Planning Officer referred to the appeal decision  for application SW/12/0077 in which the Inspector considered that the loss of ancient woodland could not be replaced.  The Inspector did not consider there to be any ecological concerns and noted that there would be a reduction of HGVs accessing the site as the quarrying would have ceased.  The Area Planning Officer referred to the Section 106 Agreement which needed to be entered into by the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1204.

PRESENT:  Councillors Mike Baldock, Bobbin, Cameron Beart, Tina Booth (Substitute for Councillor Roger Clark), Richard Darby, Mike Dendor, James Hall, Mike Henderson, James Hunt, Nigel Kay, Bryan Mulhern (Chairman), Prescott and Ghlin Whelan.

OFFICERS PRESENT: Kellie Mackenzie and Ross McCardle.

APOLOGIES: Councillors Andy Booth, Roger Clark, Ken Ingleton and Peter Marchington.

The Chairman welcomed local residents to the meeting.

The Planning Officer introduced the application which proposed erection of a bungalow on land to the side of the existing bungalow and adjacent to No. 12 Western Avenue, Halfway.  The new plot would measure 8 metres in width and 23 metres in length and the proposed one bedroom bungalow would be 5.6 metres in width, 10.5 metres in length and 4.2 metres in height to the ridge.  The front building line of the proposal would follow that of Nos, 10 and 12 with parking to the front of the site.  A garden in the region of 6.3 metres depth would be provided to the rear, and the existing garage serving No. 10 would be demolished.

The Planning Officer reported that 10 letters of objection had been received raising points already covered in the Committee report.  The Planning Officer reported that KCC Highways and Transportation raised no objection.  He noted that the parking provision accorded with KCC Parking Standards.

The Planning Officer reported that the site was located within the built confines of Halfway and formed part of the wider West Sheppey Triangle settlement area under Policy ST3 of the emerging Local Plan.  The Planning Officer considered that the application would not significantly harm residential amenities of No. 12 Western Avenue and that it did not conflict with the Development Plan.

A Ward Member thanked the Committee for agreeing to the site meeting.  He raised concern about parking problems currently experienced in Western Avenue and Hilda Road.  He stated that Western Avenue was already used as an ‘overspill’ when funerals took pace at the nearby cemetery. 

In response to a query from the Ward Member about the number of objections received, the Planning Officer agreed to update Members at the Planning Committee meeting.

Local residents raised points which included:

·        Residents were tolerant of the parking situation when funerals were being held at the nearby cemetery, but parking was a huge issue in Western Avenue;

·        Six properties had already been granted permission in the vicinity in the last 10 years;

·        The loss of more off-street parking would add to the problems of parking in Western Avenue;

·        Parking was so bad residents could not park outside their own house;

·        The parking was even worse at the weekend;

·        The provision of a dropped kerb would reduce parking spaces;

·        The proposed dwelling would block-out light to the living room of No. 12 Western Avenue;

·        The living room of No. 12 would also be subject to odours coming from the kitchen of the proposed dwelling;

·        Would have an adverse impact on the quality of life of the residents of No. 12;  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1205.