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

To approve the Minutes of the Meeting held on 22 July 2021 (Minute Nos. 172 – 176) as a correct record.

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 22 July 2021 (Minute Nos. 172 – 176) were taken as read, approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record subject to the following amendments:

Councillor Lee McCall (Substitute for Councillor Monique Bonney) be included in those present.

Minute No 175 (Section 106 Year End Review 2020 – 2021)  paragraph four be deleted and replaced with the following: “Referring to pages 12 & 13, a Member said that the HBC site large contribution was welcomed but he was disappointed that the offsite play equipment at Admirals Walk was not installed closer to the development, especially as new play equipment was now being provided on site at the development at Belgrave Road, Halfway.?"

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.

Councillor Cameron Beart declared a disclosable Non-Pecuniary Interest in respect of item 2.1 21/500222/FULL Grove End Farm, Bredgar Road, Tunstall as his employer did business with the applicant.  Councillor Beart stated that he was open-minded about the application.

To consider the following application:

21/502251/FULL – Sycamore Lodge, Newhouse Lane, Sheldwich, Faversham, Kent, ME13 9QR

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 18 August 2021.

Additional information that may be referred to at the meeting added 18.08.21

Reports shown in previous Minutes as being deferred from that Meeting

The Area Planning Officer introduced the application and drew attention to paragraph 2.1 of the report which listed the officers suggested minor changes to the proposals.  He explained that the applicant had submitted amended drawings which addressed those changes.

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

A Ward Member who was also a member of the Planning Committee spoke against the application which he considered was too large for the area. 

Some Members spoke in support of the application.

Resolved:  That application 21/502251/FULL be approved subject to conditions (1) to (6) in the report and the amended drawings.

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 18 August 2021.

Item 2.4 20/505156/FULL & 20/505157/LBC Former Adult Education Centre, College Road, Sheerness has been withdrawn from the agenda.

Additional information that may be referred to at the meeting published 18.08.21 and 19.08.21.

Tabled officer update for items 2.2 (14 Woodpecker Drive, Iwade) and 3.1 (Land at 32 Linden Drive and 67 Queens Way, Sheerness) published 19.08.21.

PART 2

Applications for which PERMISSION is recommended

The Area Planning Officer introduced and outlined the application for Members.  He considered that the traffic implications of the application were the most important for Members to consider, and these were set-out in detail in paragraphs 2.10 and 2.11 on pages 27 to 28 of the report. 

Parish Councillor Vivien Rich, representing Tunstall Parish Council, spoke against the application.

Jonathan Lee, the Agent, was unable to attend the meeting remotely and his statement in support of the application was read-out by the Democratic Services Officer.

The Ward Member spoke against the application.

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

Councillor Tony Winckless moved a motion for a site meeting.  This was seconded by Councillor Richard Palmer. 

On being put to the vote the motion for a site meeting was lost.

A Member raised concern about pedestrian safety when using the local footpaths.

Councillor James Hunt moved the following addendum: “Before the use is commenced, or the premises occupied, details of signage warning of pedestrians, and the location of those signs, be submitted to and approved by the Local Planning Authority.  The agreed scheme shall then be implemented in full in accordance with the agreed implementation programme, in the interest of highway safety and amenity.” This was seconded by Councillor Mike Dendor.  On being put to the vote the addendum was agreed.

In response to a question from a Member about the agents’ claim that they had applied for Saturday working, the Area Planning Officer stated that the hours recommended for approval were those applied for by the applicant.  For clarification he showed Members the applicants’ completed application form which clearly requested Monday to Friday working hours. 

Members were invited to debate the application and comments raised included:

·         Concerned that the applicants were already requesting a change of use for the barn only granted permission in 2019;

·         considered the location was unsuitable for the storage of agricultural chemicals;

·         concerns about over-night parking;

·         concerned about the increase in the number of vehicle movements in the area; and

·         if not approved what alternative use could be barn be used for?

Councillor Richard Palmer moved the following addendum: “That a condition be imposed restricting parking on-site to 0700 hours to 1700 hours.”  This was seconded by Councillor Tony Winckless.

The Area Planning Officer raised concern that imposing such a condition would surely increase road traffic movement to and from the site. 

Members considered the addendum and raised the following points:

·         If overnight parking was not allowed it would only result in overnight parking in inappropriate locations; and

·         would be contradictory to condition (5) of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 201.