Agenda and minutes

Venue: Virtual Meeting Via Skype*

Contact: Democratic Services, 01795 417330 

Items
No. Item

Audio Recording

391.

Introduction

Minutes:

The Vice-Chairman in-the-Chair (to be referred to as ‘Chairman’ for the rest of these minutes) 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 (SBC) officers were in attendance.

 

392.

Minutes

To approve the Minutes of the Meeting held on 10 December 2020 (Minute Nos. 327 -  331) as a correct record.

 

Minutes:

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 10 December 2020 (Minute Nos. 327 – 331) were taken as read, approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

393.

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 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.

 

Minutes:

Councillor Carole Jackson declared a disclosable non-pecuniary interest in respect of item 2.1 20/504747/FULL 1 Saxon Road, Faversham as she was a member of Faversham Town Council.  Councillor Jackson stated that she was not pre-determined.

 

Councillor David Simmons declared a disclosable non-pecuniary interest in respect of item 2.3 20/504753/PNQCLA Forge Farm, Staple Street, Hernhill as he was a friend of the applicants.  Councillor Simmons stated that he was not pre-determined.

394.

Planning Working Group pdf icon PDF 73 KB

To approve the Minutes of the Meeting held on 21 December 2020 (Minute Nos. to-follow).

 

To consider application 18/504562/FULL – Ellens Court, Lady Margaret Manor Road, Doddington, Kent, ME9 0NT

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 21 December 2020 (Minute Nos. 373 – 375) were taken as read, approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

 

18/504562/FULL – Ellens Court, Lady Margaret Manor Road, Doddington, Kent, ME9 0NT

 

The Major Projects Officer drew attention to the tabled update which outlined comments from Kent Police.  The update had been emailed to Members and published on the Council’s website prior to the meeting.  The Major Projects Officer reported that officers remained of the view that the proposal was acceptable and in-line with the Council’s Local Plan and the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and he recommended that planning permission be granted.

 

The Chairman moved the officer recommendation to approve the application and this was seconded by Councillor Ben J Martin.

 

The Ward Member spoke against the application.  He raised the following points: access to the site was via very narrow lanes and would be an issue for construction vehicles; the remote nature of the site made it unsuitable for the proposed use; the site was within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) which the NPPF stated should be enhanced; it was a 100% increase in floorspace; it had an adverse impact on Greet Cottage; and it was too big for the site.

 

Resolved: That application 18/504562/FULL be approved subject to conditions (1) to (35) in the report and as amended by the tabled update to the Committee meeting on 15 October 2020.

395.

Schedule of Decisions pdf icon PDF 55 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 6 January 2021.

 

Additional Information including responses to questions from Members published 07.01.21

Additional documents:

Minutes:

 

PART 2

 

Applications for which PERMISSION is recommended

                                                                                                                                                    

 

2.1       REFERENCE NO 20/504747/FULL

APPLICATION PROPOSAL

Conversion of existing dwelling to form 2no. flats, together with a first floor extension above road access to site, two storey rear extension and loft conversion with front dormer, including associated parking, landscaping and cycle store (revised scheme to 19/504257/FULL) as amended by drawings 202 A and 203 A.

ADDRESS 1 Saxon Road, Faversham, Kent, ME13 8QA

WARD St Ann’s

PARISH/TOWN COUNCIL

Faversham Town

APPLICANT GPML Construction Ltd

AGENT Kirby Cove Architects

 

The Area Planning Officer introduced the application.

 

Town Councillor Julian Saunders, representing Faversham Town Council, spoke against the application.

 

Justin Croft, an objector, spoke against the application.

 

The Chairman moved the officer recommendation to approve the application and this was seconded by Councillor Ben J Martin.

 

A Ward Member spoke against the application and raised concern that work had already commenced at the site.  She also raised concern about the potential impact of noise and pollution from the proposed car parking spaces on local residents, given the compact layout of the site.   

 

In response to a query from a Member, the Area Planning Officer stated that officers were aware that some building work had already commenced and had ordered the applicant to cease this work.  He explained that the applicant had advised that this had been due to a miscommunication between them and their builder.  

 

Members were invited to debate the application.

 

The Area Planning Officer responded to questions raised by a Member and he confirmed that an additional parking space was proposed.  He stated that the proposed rear extension was 1.4 metres from the rear elevation, and showed Members drawings of the proposed extension in relation to the rear gardens of properties in Norman Road, Faversham.

 

Resolved:  That application 20/504747/FULL be approved subject to conditions (1) to (10) in the report.   

 

2.2       REFERENCE NO – 20/505270/FULL

APPLICATION PROPOSAL

Proposed first floor extension to front southwest elevation, including alterations to fenestration and extension to rear balcony to second floor.

ADDRESS21 Waterside Close Faversham Kent ME13 7AU  

WARD Priory

PARISH/TOWN COUNCILFaversham Town

APPLICANT Mr Richard Henley

AGENT Michael Miller Local Architect

 

The Chairman moved the officer recommendation to approve the application and this was seconded by Councillor Ben J Martin.

 

A Ward Member spoke in support of the application.

 

Resolved:  That application 20/505270/FULL be approved subject to conditions (1) to (3) in the report.

 

2.3       REFERENCE NO 20/504753/PNQCLA

APPLICATION PROPOSAL

Prior notification for the change of use of building and land within its curtilage to 1 no. dwellinghouse and associated operation development. For its prior approval to: Transport and Highways impacts of the development; Noise impacts of the development; Contamination risks on the site; Flooding risks on the site; Whether the location or siting of the building makes it otherwise impractical or undesirable for the use of the building to change from agricultural use to C3 (dwellinghouses); Design and external appearance impacts on the building, and Provision of adequate natural  ...  view the full minutes text for item 395.

396.

Planning Working Group 20/500887/FULL 224-226 Minster Road, Minster-on-Sea, Sheerness, Kent, ME12 3LL

Minutes:

At this point the Chairman, agreed that whilst not on the agenda, the following item could be considered.

 

20/500887/FULL – 224-226 Minster Road, Minster-on-Sea, Sheerness

 

The Area Planning Officer reminded Members that at a previous meeting they had resolved:  That application 20/500887/FULL be deferred to allow the Planning Working Group to either meet on site or have a video of the site submitted to the next Planning Committee, pending further legal advice.

 

The Area Planning Officer stated that the first virtual Planning Working Group had been held on Monday 21 December 2020 and following the success of that meeting were Members happy for officers to arrange a virtual meeting to consider application20/500887/FULL. 

 

Discussion ensued and points raised included:

 

·         Supported the virtual meeting format for the site meeting; and

·         Request that the meeting be held in the evening to ensure that any member of the public that wanted to attend would be able to.

 

The Chairman asked that the virtual meeting be arranged to be held as an evening meeting.

397.

Exclusion of the Press and Public

To decide whether to pass the resolution set out below in respect of the following item:

 

That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 5 and 7.

 

5.    Information in respect of which a claim to legal professional privilege could be maintained in legal proceedings; and

7.    Information relation to any action in connection with the prevention, investigation or prosecution of crime.

 

Minutes:

Resolved:

 

(1) That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 5 and 7 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act:

5. Information in respect of which a claim to legal professional privilege could be maintained in legal proceedings.

7. Information relating to any action taken in connection with the prevention, investigation or prosecution of crime.

 

398.

Land at Spade Lane, Hartlip

To consider the attached report (Part 6).

Minutes:

The Area Planning Officer summarised the report for Members.

 

A Ward Member spoke in support of the officer recommendation to enforce an Article 4 Direction.

 

Resolved:  That delegated authority be granted to the Head of Planning Services, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, the Cabinet Member for Planning and the Chairman of the Planning Committee, to determine whether it is expedient to make an immediate or a non-immediate Article 4 Direction, and the precise time period after which such a direction becomes effective, based on the level of risk to the Council in doing so, and to delegate authority to the Head of Planning Services and the Head of Legal Services to prepare and serve the necessary paperwork, (including on the Secretary of State) together with the precise wording therein.

399.

Adjournment of Meeting

Minutes:

The Meeting was adjourned from 9.02pm to 9.07pm.