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 – (2.4) 16/506986/FULL 116 Oak Lane, Upchurch, Kent, ME9 7AY

The Chairman welcomed the applicants, the applicants’ agent, the applicants’ architect, Parish Council representative, and members of the public to the meeting.

The Planner introduced the application which sought planning permission for the demolition of existing bungalow, and the erection of a pair of 3 bed semi-detached dwellings and a detached 4 bedroom dwelling with associated parking and amenity space at 116 Oak Lane, Upchurch. 

The Planner reported that the elevation of the semi-detached dwellings would front Oak Lane and measure 9 metres in depth and 5.9 metres in width and be 5.2 metres to the eaves, and 8.8 metres in overall height.  The dwellings would access Oak Lane, each with two parking spaces at the front.  The Planner stated that the detached dwelling would front Wallbridge Lane and have a floor area of approximately 8 metres by 9 metres.  The dwelling would measure 5 metres to the eaves and be 8 metres in overall height.  Two parking spaces would be provided along Wallbridge Lane with a 1.8 metre footpath proposed along the perimeter of the site.

The Kent County Council (KCC) Highways and Transportation Officer explained that whilst the application did not meet the criteria to warrant comment from KCC, he would be able to advise and assist Members in considering the application. 

The KCC Highways and Transportation Officer stated that he did not consider there to be a particular problem with the proposed new access onto Oak Lane, as visibility to the south was in accordance with the guidance, and this was the direction that vehicles would approach from on the nearest side of the carriageway.  To the north visibility was slightly impeded by the neighbour’s hedge, but approaching vehicles would generally be on the opposite side of the road and could be seen over the appropriate distance.  He advised that on balance he considered the proposed scheme would improve visibility for the neighbours access and for motorists using Wallbridge Lane onto Oak Lane.

Mr John Collins, the applicant’s agent, spoke in support of the application.    He noted that the KCC Highways and Transportation Officer considered the application provided good visibility onto Oak Lane, and that the vision splays would provide visibility in perpetuity.

Parish Councillor Rosewell, representing Upchurch Parish Council, stated that whilst the Parish Council did not object in principle to the application, they had concerns in respect of the neighbour’s access onto Oak Lane, and also the neighbours hedge which already restricted visibility.  He advised that the Parish Council had applied to KCC for the existing highway signs to be moved, as they considered they were not in the correct position.

A local resident asked whether KCC had carried out a risk assessment on the impact the development would have on the vehicle access.  The KCC Highways and Transportation Officer explained that the advice he had provided was effectively the Stage 1 Safety Audit for the application.

In response to a query from a local resident, the KCC Highways and Transportation Officer reported that the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1254.