Audio Recording

The Chairman explained that the meeting would be conducted in accordance with the Local Authorities and Police and Crime Panel (Coronavirus) (Flexibility of Local Authority Police and Crime Panel Meetings) (England and Wales) Regulations 2020 No 392.

In welcoming all Members and members of the public, the Chairman explained which Swale Borough Council officers were in attendance.

The Chairman paid tribute to former Swale Borough Councillor Honorary Alderman Bryan Mulhern who had sadly passed away recently.   The Chairman stated that Bryan had been Chairman of Planning Committee for many years and had been a “real stalwart of Swale Borough Council”. 

To approve the Minutes of the Meeting held on 5 March 2020 (Minute Nos. 614 - 622) as a correct record.

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 5 March 2020 (Minute Nos. 614 – 622) 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 (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.

Councillor Ben J Martin declared a non-pecuniary interest in respect of item 3.1 (19/506123/FULL) St Nicholas Allotments, St Nicholas Road, Faversham) as he was a Member of Faversham Town Council (FTC).  Councillor Martin spoke on the item but did not vote.

Councillor Simmons declared a non-pecuniary interest in respect of item 2.2 (20/500169/FULL Newton Place Surgery, Newton Road, Faversham) as he was the Chairman of The League of Friends of Faversham Cottage Hospital and Community Health Centres.  Councillor Simmons spoke on the item but did not vote.

Councillor David Simmons also declared a non-pecuniary interest in respect of item 3.1 (19/506123/FULL St Nicholas Allotments, St Nicholas Road, Faversham) previous association with FTC and the administration of Swale Borough Council (SBC).

Councillor Tim Valentine declared a non-pecuniary interest in respect of item 2.2 (20/500169/FULL Newton Place Surgery, Newton Road, Faversham) as the applicant was Councillor Alastair Gould fellow ward member and member of the Green Party who he had campaigned with during the election.  Councillor Valentine did not speak or vote on this item.

To consider the following application:

19/500768/FULL, Owens Court Farm, Owens Court Road, Selling

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 this item must be registered with Democratic Services (democraticservices@swale.gov.uk or call us on 01795 417328) by noon on Wednesday 29 April 2020. 

Additional information has been added to this item which might be referred to at this evening’s meeting.

DEFERRED ITEMS

Reports shown in previous Minutes as being deferred from that Meeting

The Area Planning Officer introduced the application and reminded Members that the application had been deferred at the Planning Committee meeting on 5 March 2020 for consultation with the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Unit and the Kent County Council (KCC) Public Rights of Way (PROW) Officer.  The Area Planning Officer reported that the AONB had stated that they noted the change to layout and proposed additional screen hedging, and that there would be very limited impact between the site and the AONB.  The KCC PROW Officer noted there were no PROWs affected by the application and therefore raised no objection. 

Jane Scott, the Agent, 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 welcomed the addition of condition (7) to paint the caravans green as requested by the AONB.  He said he would like to see the access to the south of the site and queried the need for condition (6) in relation to lighting.

Councillor James Hunt moved the following amendment:  That the wording in condition (7) be amended to state the specific dark green colour to be used.  This was seconded by Councillor Monique Bonney.

The Senior Lawyer, Planning asked that the exact wording to condition (7) be delegated to officers to agree.  The Proposer and Seconder of the amendment agreed.  On being put to the vote the amendment was agreed.

A Member considered it would not be practical to amend the access to the south of the site as vehicles would have to negotiate farmland.

Resolved:  That application 19/500768/FULL be approved subject to conditions (1) to (7) of the report and the amendment to condition (7) be delegated to officers to determine the exact wording. 

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 on this item must be registered with Democratic Services (democraticservices@swale.gov.uk or call us on 01795 417328) by noon on Wednesday 29 April 2020. 

Additional information has been added to these items which might be referred to at this evening’s meeting.

PART 2

Applications for which PERMISSION is recommended

The Area Planning Officer reported that he had received the following questions from a Member: “The overall height of an GMC353 2 1?2 ton truck is on 2.77m, so why is there a need to have the building 4.7m in height?  What are the heights of the building to the rear of the house to the right of the property and the building to the rear of the house at the end of the row of houses to the left of the property?.”

The Area Planning Officer reported that he had advised the Member that the proposed lorry to be housed was 2.7 metres in height and the eaves height of the proposed building was 3.5 metres which allowed a modest clearance.  In relation to other buildings on the site, the Area Planning Officer showed Members photographs of all the buildings on the site and explained that a large building in a neighbouring property’s garden was probably at least 6 metres in height and had been approved in 1993. 

The Area Planning Officer drew attention to the local representations received on page 29 of the report, and that one of the neighbours who had written in now raised no objection. 

Parish Councillor Louisa Roberts representing Tunstall Parish Council spoke against the application.

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

A Ward Member raised the following points: the overall height of the proposed building was a concern; the hipped corners of the proposed building would be seen from a neighbouring garden; and concern that there would not be enough turning space on the site.

Members were invited to debate the application and raised points which included:

·         Considered the ridge line for the new building was an issue;

·         did not consider that the proposed building would adversely impact on neighbouring properties; and

·         the applicant would be aware of how much space he had to manoeuvre on the site so this would not be an issue.

Resolved:  That application 20/500229/FULL be approved subject to conditions (1) to (3) in the report.

The Area Planning Officer introduced the application.

Dr C L Taylor, an Objector had submitted a statement setting out his views against the application.  This was read-out be the Democratic Services Officer.

Dr Alastair Gould,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 656.

The meeting was adjourned at 7.55pm to 8.07pm in order that those present could show their support for the NHS and key workers.

At 10pm Members agreed to the suspension of Standing Orders in order that the Committee could complete its business.