declarations of interest

No interests were declared.

part b minutes for information

2.8 (sw/09/0756) – land east of woodpecker drive and helen thompson close, iwade

2.9 (sw/09/0755) – land off grovehurst road, iwade

The Chairman advised that both applications would be considered together.

The Senior Planner introduced application (SW/09/0756) which sought construction of 98 dwellings together with associated highway and landscaping works at the six acre site with access located at Helen Thompson Close and Woodpecker Drive. The second application (SW/09/0755) sought temporary planning permission for a three year period to construct a haul road for construction traffic, so that the dwellings to be constructed on land east of Helen Thompson Close and Woodpecker Drive can be accessed without the need to use the said residential roads.

The Senior Planner reported that the land had been allocated for housing development in the adopted Swale Borough Local Plan 2008 under Policies AAP9; H5 and H2. The three main concerns in respect of the application were: ecological concerns, particularly in respect of protecting the Great Crested Newts; car parking; and access to the site. A further letter of objection had been received raising concerns already outlined in the report. A letter had also been received from the People's Trust of Endangered Species, the concerns they raised were covered by condition (4) of the report.

The Senior Planner advised that Natural England (NE) were still concerned about mitigation of Great Crested Newts and reptiles. However, the applicants were working closely with NE to resolve matters of detail and were hopeful that their objections would be withdrawn.

The Senior Planner reported that Kent Highway Services (KHS) now raised no objection to the scheme following the receipt of revised plans relating to location of parking spaces. In relation to access to the site, the Senior Planner considered that the layout of the scheme had been designed to ensure only the appropriate traffic used each road and KHS were happy that both access points could accommodate the proposal.

The Senior Planner reported that £264,425 had been agreed to be allocated for formal sports provision for open space use at Coleshall Farm.

The Ward Member, also a Member of the Planning Committee, raised concern with regard to the proposed haul road.

Mrs Ashton, the Agent, explained that the site had been allocated through SBC's Local Plan and was contained within its Area Action Plan for housing. She reported that the application was the result of extensive discussions between themselves and Officers of SBC. They were also currently involved in detailed discussions with NE to ensure the appropriate quality of habitat for the newts was provided and considered the Ecological Strategy they had submitted was acceptable. She drew attention to the proposed 'play trail' which would link the development to the main village green located to the north.

A representative of Iwade Parish Council raised concern in relation to the removal of habitat of the Great Crested Newt. He drew attention to the Keystone Environmental Great Crested Newt Report which stated that the loss of 2.53 ha terrestrial habitat would have a 'major' impact on the Newt population at the site.

Local residents raised the following concerns: developers had previously given assurances that Helen Thompson Close would remain as a close and never be opened up as a road; access roads would be used as rat-runs; on-street parking would make it dangerous for vehicles to pass through Helen Thompson Close and Woodpecker Drive; road traffic in Iwade had increased since the Public Inquiry was held; dangerous for children playing in Helen Thompson Close; proposed 'Play Trail' would have an adverse impact on wildlife; detrimental to the Great Crested Newt; grouping social housing together would cause problems; drainage cannot cope with extra houses; risk of flooding; vehicles using the haul road would cause dust to cover properties in Cormorant Road; agricultural land for mitigation of newts has previously been sprayed with pesticides; already increased traffic in Grovehurst Road, it would not take any more; consider making the proposed haul road permanent; and the information and recommendations provided have been based on the 2001 census, Iwade has grown significantly since then.

In response to questions, the Agent's Ecologist advised that the newts would be re-located before development commenced and within the approved guidelines from NE. She outlined the seed mix to be used at the receptor site and that it would take approximately two years for it to be the same standard as the current orchard. She reported that there was a 'lower medium' population of newts at the site.

A Member requested that the applicants provide information for the Planning Committee meeting on 3rd December 2009 on the quality of the agricultural land to be used as compensatory habitat for the Great Crested Newt particularly in respect of whether pesticides had been used.

In response to questions, Mr Millard (KHS) confirmed that the road widths in Helen Thompson Close and Woodpecker Drive were adequate at five and a half metres and conformed to Highway Design Standards. He advised that traffic lights were not proposed in Grovehurst Road for the haul road, however a give-way system would be developed with adequate sightlines.

Members then toured the site and asked the Senior Planner, Major Projects Officer and KHS Officer questions which they answered.