Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber, Swale House, East Street, Sittingbourne, ME10 3HT. View directions

Contact: Democratic Services, 01795 417330 

Items
No. Item

374.

Fire Evacuation Procedure

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.

 

Minutes:

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

375.

Minutes

To approve the Minutes of the Meeting held on 8 November 2018 (Minute Nos. 322 - 330) as a correct record.

 

Minutes:

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 8 November 2018 Minute Nos. (322 – 330) were taken as read, approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

376.

Declarations of Interest

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.

 

Minutes:

No interests were declared.

377.

Planning Working Group

To approve the Minutes of the Meeting held on 26 November 2018 (Minute Nos. 351 - 352).

 

To consider application SW/18/503259/FULL – Land at Old Billet Lane, Eastchurch, Isle of Sheppey, Kent, ME12 4JJ.

Minutes:

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 26 November 2018 (Minute Nos. 351 – 352) were taken as read, approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

 

18/503259/FULL – Land at Old Billet Lane, Eastchurch, Isle of Sheppey, Kent, ME12 4JJ

 

The Area Planning Officer provided updates to queries raised by Members at the site meeting relating to: ownership and maintenance of the road; was the stable block to be repositioned or replaced and; how would a static caravan be moved onto/off the site.  The Area Planning Officer stated that it was a private road, and maintenance was therefore the responsibility of residents.  The applicant had indicated at the site meeting that they would be happy to help maintain the section from their access to the junction.  The Area Planning Officer clarified that damage to an unadopted road was not a material planning consideration on which the application could be determined, nor did the applicant’s offer to maintain it carry any weight.  Notwithstanding that, the road was in private ownership, and any maintenance would need to be the subject of agreement between the applicant and the owner of the road.  The applicant had advised that the existing stables could be repositioned with the insertion of some replacement bracing timbers. 

 

The Area Planning Officer reported that, with regard to delivery of the static caravan, it  would be delivered by low loader, off-loaded on Plough Road, Eastchurch in sections, and transported onto the site by 4x4.  The Area Planning Officer stated that Members should be clear that this was not a material planning consideration that could be taken into account.

 

The Area Planning Officer advised that the applicant had confirmed during the site visit that there were no specific health issues for their grandchildren that they were putting forward as a material consideration.  He explained that reference to this within the report had arisen from a misunderstanding between the agent and the case officer.

 

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

 

A visiting Ward Member spoke against the application. 

 

In response to a point raised by the Ward Member, the Area Planning Officer stated that a lack of local connection was not a material planning reason to refuse an application.

 

Members were then given an opportunity to ask questions, during which the Area Planning Officer confirmed that the stables would be moved to the rear of the site where the mobile home was.  Planning permission could be granted whether the applicants had access to the site or not, as this was for them to agree with the landowner.  There were numerous gypsy and traveller sites on the Isle of Sheppey and it had never been argued that they would set a precedent for year-round occupation of holiday sites.

 

In response to a query from a Member, the Area Planning Officer stated that he had not walked from the site to Eastchurch Primary School and he was not aware that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 377.

378.

Deferred Item pdf icon PDF 64 KB

To consider the following application:

 

16/508709/FULL – Former Oil Depot, Abbey Wharf, Standard Quay, Faversham, Kent, ME13 7BS.

 

Members of the public are advised to confirm with Planning Services prior to the meeting that this application will be considered at this meeting.

 

Requests to speak on this item must be registered with Democratic Services (democraticservices@swale.gov.uk or call us on 01795 417328) by noon on Wednesday 5 December 2018.

 

Tabled updated published 10.12.18.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Reports shown in previous Minutes as being deferred from that Meeting

 

DEF ITEM 1 REFERENCE NO -  16/508709/FULL

APPLICATION PROPOSAL

Erection of 10 no. dwellings with associated parking and landscaping as amended by drawings and information received on 13 September 2018.

ADDRESS Former Oil Depot,  Abbey Wharf, Standard Quay, Faversham, Kent ME13 7BS

WARD Abbey

PARISH/TOWN COUNCIL Faversham Town

APPLICANT NOVA Kent Limited

AGENT Angus Brown

 

The Major Projects Officer drew attention to the tabled update, which outlined additional representations received from: local residents some in objection and some in support; the Faversham Society and Faversham Footpath Group. The update also included details of amended wording to conditions (13) and (16) on page 10 of the report; inclusion of a Section 106 Agreement; Special Protection Area mitigation and an additional condition requiring retractable bollards.

 

The Major Projects Officer reported that in addition, and with specific respect to works to the Creek Wall, authority was sought to impose an additional condition requiring that the development be implemented in full accordance with the details approved under planning permission 16/505907/FULL and GES drawing ‘Ecologically Enhanced Vertical Shore Side Wall’ (Revision A).  The condition would also require that precise details of the ecological measures for the Creek Wall be approved before the development was commenced and that the measures were then fully implemented.

 

The Major Projects Officer stated that delegation was sought to approve the application subject to the refinement of conditions (13) and (16) to make appropriate reference to the Creekside Walkway, the suggested additional conditions, the other conditions in the report, and the signing of a suitably-worded Section 106 Agreement.  Authority was also sought to refine the wording of the conditions as set-out in the Committee report, if this proved to be necessary.

 

Cathy McNab, on behalf of the applicant, spoke in support of the application.

 

The Chairman invited Members to ask questions.  A Member raised concern that the application still did not accord with guidance within the Faversham Creek Neighbourhood Plan (FCNP) and believed that the FCNP had stated that the footpath should be four metres wide, but the applicants had stated it would be three metres wide.  He also queried why affordable housing was not to be included.  The Member raised concern that the proposed moorings would not be public and stated that pages 26 – 37 paragraphs 6.21 and 6.22 of the FCNP were detailed and clear that these should be for visitors to the area.

 

The Major Projects Officer stated that with regard to affordable housing, recent government guidance stated that this only applied to developments of 11 or more properties.  He did not consider that the FCNP stated that moorings had to be public, and if they were public it would imply they would have to be adopted by a public body.  He considered private was more reasonable.  The Major Projects Officer considered that CLR2 of the FCNP referring to slipways and moorings had been complied with and assessed in a “rounded” way, and provision  ...  view the full minutes text for item 378.

379.

Schedule of Decisions pdf icon PDF 290 KB

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 5 December 2018.

 

3.1 tabled paper published 10.12.18.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

PLANNING COMMITTEE – 6 DECEMBER 2018                                                        PART 2

 

Report of the Head of Planning

 

PART 2

 

Applications for which PERMISSION is recommended

                                                                                                                                                     

 

2.1  REFERENCE NO - 18/505342/FULL

APPLICATION PROPOSAL

Conversion of garage to habitable room and erection of single storey front extension.

ADDRESS 10 Berkeley Close Dunkirk Faversham Kent ME13 9TR 

WARDBoughton and Courtenay

PARISH/TOWN COUNCIL Dunkirk

APPLICANT Mr Darryl Creed

AGENT GBA Designs

 

Parish Councillor Jeff Tutt, representing Dunkirk Parish Council, spoke against the application.

 

The Chairman moved the officer recommendation to approve the application and this was seconded by Councillor Cameron Beart.

 

The Chairman invited Members to ask questions, during which the Area Planning Officer explained that with regard to the 67% increase in floorspace, there was no upper limit on what you could extend to in built-up areas.  The Area Planning Officer agreed that each application should be considered on its merits, however the Planning Committee had considered and approved an almost identical application in May 2018 at the property next door, so needed to be consistent.  He referred to paragraph 8.03 on page 43 of the committee report which referred to the removal of the sleeper wall which should reduce the likelihood of cars overhanging the pavement.

 

Resolved:  That application 18/505342/FULL be approved subject to conditions (1) to (3) in the report.

 

2.2  REFERENCE NO - 18/504307/FULL

APPLICATION PROPOSAL

Erection of two detached dwellings with associated access and car parking. Alterations to the existing access and parking for 343 Minster Road.

ADDRESS Land At Rear Of 343 Minster Road Minster-on-sea Sheerness Kent ME12 3NR 

WARDSheppey Central

PARISH/TOWN COUNCIL Minster-on-Sea

APPLICANT Mr Lee Halsey

AGENT Michael Gittings Associates

 

The Chairman moved a motion for a site meeting, and this was seconded by Councillor Mike Dendor.  On being put to the vote the motion was agreed.

 

Mr John Croall, an objector, and Mr Andrew Street, the Agent were advised that they could still speak now, and at the Planning Working Group meeting, but not at the meeting afterwards.  Mr Croall and Mr Street chose not to speak at this meeting.

 

A Member requested that an officer from Kent Highways and Transportation attend the site meeting.

 

Resolved:  That application 18/504307/FULL be deferred to allow the Planning Working Group to meet on site.

 

2.3  REFERENCE NO - 18/503678/FULL

APPLICATION PROPOSAL

Erection of a 2 bedroom chalet style bungalow on land to rear gardens of 344 and 346 Minster Road.

ADDRESS   344 Minster Road Minster-on-sea Sheerness Kent ME12 3PE 

WARD Minster Cliffs

PARISH/TOWN COUNCIL Minster-on-Sea

APPLICANT Mrs Lynne Creed

AGENT Deva Design

 

The Chairman moved a motion for a site meeting, and this was seconded by Councillor Nicholas Hampshire.  On being put to the vote the motion was agreed.

 

A Member asked that the proposed plot be marked out on the site at the meeting.

 

Resolved:  That application 18/503678/FULLbe deferred to allow the Planning Working Group to meet on site.

 

2.4  REFERENCE NO - 18/504824/FULL

APPLICATION PROPOSAL

Change of use of part of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 379.