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 27 May 2021 (Minute Nos. 15 - 23) as a correct record.

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 27 May 2021 (Minute Nos. 15 – 23) were taken as read, approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

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 Interests (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 meeting 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 approve the Minutes of the Meeting held on 14 June 2021 (Minute Nos. to follow).

To consider application SW/20/503325/FULL Land East of Crown Quay Lane, Sittingbourne, Kent, ME10 3ST

Updated published 24.06.21

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 14 June 2021 (Minute Nos. 70 – 71) were taken as read, approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

The Major Projects Officer introduced the application.  He referred to the tabled update for this item which included details of a lighting assessment submitted by the applicant and response from the Environmental Protection Team; and comments from Natural England.  The Major Protects Officer reported that delegated authority was sought to approve the application subject to an amendment to condition (1) to ‘…must be begun not later than the expiration of five years’ not three as stated.  Also, an amendment to condition (4) requiring full details of the acoustic fence, a Section 106 Agreement to deal with the matters set-out on paragraph 8.41 of the report to Planning Committee on 27 May 2021 and conditions as set-out in that report and the tabled update.  Delegated authority was also sought to amend condition wording and Section 106 heads of terms as might reasonably be required.

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

In response to a question from a Ward Member about light pollution, the Senior Scientific Officer explained that they had considered the applicant’s lighting assessment and as the degree of illuminance was below the relevant standard, they had concluded that there would be no significant impact from the floodlighting to residents of the dwellings. 

A Ward Member raised concern about the impact of noise to residents of the dwellings from neighbouring sites and said that the proposed vegetation would not work as a sound barrier.  The Major Projects Officer outlined the proposed noise mitigation measures.  He added that the proposed vegetation was to improve visual amenity and biodiversity, rather than act as an aural barrier.

In response to further questions from a Ward Member, the Major Projects Officer advised that the developer was providing 10% of the total units as affordable housing in accordance with Policy DM8 of the Local Plan.  Bus stop provision had not been considered as part of the development and was not included within the requirements of the heads of terms.  The report was supported by a flood risk assessment as set-out on page 102 of the May 2021 committee report.

Members raised points which included:

·         Concerned about the impact of noise from lorries accessing the adjoining concrete works on residents of the proposed dwellings;

·         the proposed pedestrian crossings in Eurolink Way would not be safe particularly given the queues of traffic trying to access the scrap metal works;

·         concerned about flood risk from the creek and did not consider that the flood mitigation measures would provide enough protection;

·         inadequate sightlines for heavy goods vehicles (HGV) along Crown Quay Lane;

·         how would the proposed traffic light improvements work to improve traffic flow?;

·         the traffic splays at Crown Quay Lane needed to be widened;

·         could not see the logic for two pedestrian crossings; and

·         would like assurances that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 121.

To approve the Minutes of the Planning Working Group meeting held on 20 May 2021 (Minute Nos. 634 – 635) as a correct record.

To consider the following application:

20/503707/HYBRID Kent Science Park, Shimmin Road, Sittingbourne

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 23 June 2021.

Reports shown in previous Minutes as being deferred from that Meeting

The Minutes of the Planning Working Group Meeting held on 20 May 2021 (Minute Nos. 634 – 635) were taken as read, approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

The Area Planning Officer introduced the application and referred to the tabled update for this item.  This included further comments from Bredgar Parish Council, Kent Police, KCC Drainage, Southern Water, Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Unit and an update on concerns raised at the April 2021 Planning Committee and site meeting about the proposed private bus service and contributions towards a highway improvement plan as referred to by Bredgar Parish Council.

Mr Simon Hoad, the Applicant, spoke in support of the application.

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

The Ward Member spoke against the application and raised points including:

·         The proposed building would be a substantial increase in the countryside and the proposed landscaping would not screen all of it;

·         welcomed further discussions with the applicant and KCC about the provision of a bus service for all, rather than a private one;

·         requested 30 mph traffic signs along Highsted Valley, which was often used as a rat-run to the site;

·         the smell of cannabis from the site was unacceptable;

·         the site was within a water protection zone; and

·         concerned about lighting from the proposed building expanding across the countryside.

In response to questions from a Member, the Area Planning Officer stated that the cannabis was currently grown off-site in Norfolk and brought to the site.  In response to concerns about lighting from the site he referred to conditions (27) as set-out in Appendix I of the report which restricted the use of floodlighting and (46) as set-out on Appendix II of the report which required a scheme to minimise light spill from glazed areas of the building.  The Area Planning Officer stated that bunding and landscaping was proposed to screen the site and the building was designed in-line with dark sky requirements.

Councillor Tony Winckless moved the following addendum:  That the Ward Member be included in discussions with the applicant and KCC about provision of the private bus service.  This was seconded by Councillor Paul Stephen.  On being put to the vote the addendum was agreed.

Following a question from a Member, the Area Planning Officer said that contributions for the private bus service would be for a minimum of three years.

Councillor Benjamin Martin moved the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 122.

To consider the attached report (Parts 2 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 23 June 2021.

Additional Information published 24.06.21

PART 2

Applications for which PERMISSION is recommended

The Area Planning Officer introduced the application.  He reported that KCC Highways and Transportation raised no objection.

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

A Member spoke in support of the application.

Resolved:  That application 21/501885/ADV be approved subject to conditions (1) to (7) in the report.   

The Area Planning Officer introduced the application and reported that the Council’s Conservation Officer considered the replacement noticeboard was acceptable.

The registered speaker Parish Councillor Graham Addicott, Hartlip Parish Council, was unable to attend the meeting.  His statement in objection to the application was read-out by the Democratic Services Officer.

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

In response to concerns from Hartlip Parish Council, a Member noted that the existing sign was blue so supported the application.

Resolved:  That application 21/501238/ADV be approved subject to conditions (1) to (8) in the report.

The Area Planning Officer introduced the application.

The registered speaker Town Councillor Chris Williams, on behalf of Town Council Council was unable to attend the meeting.  His statement in objection to the application was read-out by the Democratic Services Officer.

Miss Lynda Mallard, the Applicant, spoke in support of the application.

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

A Ward Member stated that there was no valid planning reason to refuse the application.  He added that it was disappointing that the developer was not informing purchasers of the properties that they would need to apply for planning permission to move the fence around their car port and also that vehicles did not fit in the car ports.

Members raised the following comments:

·         This was a straightforward approval as an identical approval had been given at 1 Kings Drive; and

·         this complied with the Council’s parking guidelines.

Resolved:  That application 21/501283/FULL be approved.

PART 5

Decisions by the County Council and Secretary of State reported for information.

• Item 5.1 – Rides House, Warden Road, Eastchurch

APPEAL ALLOWED

DELEGATED REFUSAL

• Item 5.2 – Former Car Park, Oad Street, Borden

APPEAL DISMISSED

DELEGATED REFUSAL

• Item 5.3 – 4  ...  view the full minutes text for item 123.