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 Policy 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.

To approve the Minutes of the Meeting held on Thursday 17 September 2020 (Minute Nos. 107 - 113) as a correct record.

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 17 September 2020 (Minute Nos. 107 – 113) 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 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 consider the following applications:

Def Item 1 19/504412/FULL, Oyster Bay House Chambers Wharf, Faversham

Def Item 2 19/501551/FULL, 122 Scrapsgate Road, Minster

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 14 October 2020.

Additional information has been added to Deferred Item 1 which might be referred to at the meeting.

DEFERRED ITEMS

Reports shown in previous Minutes as being deferred from that Meeting

The Area Planning Officer introduced the report.

The Chairman moved the officer recommendation to refuse the application and this was seconded by Councillor Eddie Thomas.

Members were invited to debate the application and the following points were made:

·         Could a condition be imposed requiring that schools be invited to visit for educational purposes?

·         if agreed the telescope would eventually become part of the local heritage;

·         PU panels were unsightly;

·         noted that Faversham Town Council supported the application;

·         was there a better option for providing solar panels?;

·         as a potentially historic building it was important that the Council ensured good quality materials were used; and

·         copper could be used for the dome as they were on glass-reinforced plastic boats.

The Area Planning Officer stated that the proposal was for the applicant’s private use and did not think it would be possible to impose a condition to open it up for school trips.  He considered that electronic solar slates would be a better option.

On being put to the vote the motion to refuse the application was lost.

Councillor Monique Bonney moved the following motion:  That the application be delegated to officers to approve subject to discussions with the applicant to ensure a suitable copper dome covering and integrated or tiled solar panels be used.  This was seconded by Councillor Tony Winckless.

There was some discussion about the need to impose suitable conditions relating to use of appropriate materials and limiting the use as a domestic facility. 

Councillor Monique Bonney moved the following amendment to the motion to approve or refuse the application:  That delegated authority be given to officers to approve or refuse the application subject to the dome being covered in copper, and the solar panels being either flush fitting or solar slates, or to refuse the application if these criteria were not met, and in the case of an approval to impose appropriate conditions requiring use of suitable building materials and limiting the use to private use.  This was seconded by Councillor Tony Winckless.  On being put to the vote the amendment was agreed.

On being put to the vote the motion to approve the application was agreed.

Resolved:  That application 19/504412/FULL be delegated to officers to approve or refuse subject to discussions with the applicant to ensure that a suitable copper dome covering and integrated or tiled solar panels were used and in the case of an approval the imposition of appropriate conditions requiring the use of suitable building materials and limiting the use to private use.

To consider the attached report (Parts 1, 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 14 October 2020.

Update for item 2.1 Ellen’s Court, Lady Margaret Road, Doddington published 14.10.20.

Additional information has been added to these items which might be referred to at the meeting.

PART 1

Any other reports to be considered in the public session

The Chairman moved the officer recommendation to amend the resolution passed at a previous meeting in order to make an effective case at appeal and this was seconded by Councillor Eddie Thomas.

Resolved:  That the resolution passed at a previous meeting of the Planning Committee in respect of application 20/500400/OUT be amended in order to make an effective case at appeal.

PART 2

Applications for which PERMISSION is recommended

The Major Projects Officer drew attention to the tabled update which provided an update from the Climate Change Officer who raised no objection; amendments to condition (9) to reflect that the development was for C2 use as opposed to C3; an additional condition in respect of finished floor levels; and the views of an objector.  The update had been previously sent to Members and published on the Council’s website.  In response to claims from some local residents, the Major Projects Officer stated that he had checked and local residents had been consulted by post or email depending on whether or not email addresses had been provided, as was normal practice.

Parish Councillor Steve Coates, representing Doddington Parish Council, spoke against the application.

Mr Lee Davison, an objector, spoke against the application.

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

The Ward Member spoke against the application.  He considered that the benefits of the application did not outweigh the damage that would be caused in terms of increased traffic along narrow rural lanes and to the character of the rural area. 

Councillor David Simmons moved a motion for a site meeting.  This was seconded by Councillor Cameron Beart.  On being put to the vote the motion was agreed.

Resolved:  That application 18/504562/FULL be deferred to allow the Planning Working Group to meet on site.   

The Meeting was adjourned from 9.09pm to 9.15pm.  At this point Councillor Peter Marchington left the meeting.

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