Visitors and members of the public who are unfamiliar with the building and procedures are advised:

(a)      No fire drill is planned during the meeting.  If the alarm sounds please leave the building quickly without collecting any of your possessions, using the doors signed as fire escapes, and assemble outside where directed.

(b)      Await instructions before re-entering the building.

(c)      Anyone who requires assistance in evacuating the building should make officers aware of any special needs so that suitable arrangements may be made in the event of an emergency.

The Chair outlined the emergency evacuation procedure.

To approve the Minutes of the Meeting held on 21 September 2022 (Minute Nos. 291 – 296) as a correct record.

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 21 September 2022 (Minute Nos. 291 – 296) were taken as read, approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

Councillors should not act or take decisions in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their families or friends.

The Chair will ask Members if they have any disclosable pecuniary interests (DPIs) or disclosable non-pecuniary interests (DNPIs) to declare in respect of items on the agenda. Members with a DPI in an item must leave the room for that item and may not participate in the debate or vote. 

Aside from disclosable interests, where a fair-minded and informed observer would think there was a real possibility that a Member might be biased or predetermined on an item, the Member should declare this and leave the room while that item is considered.

Members who are in any doubt about interests, bias or predetermination should contact the monitoring officer for advice prior to the meeting.

Councillor Mike Baldock declared a disclosable non-pecuniary interest in respect of Deferred Item 1 as he was a Ward Member and had attended the site meeting with the applicants to discuss improvements to the design.  Councillor Baldock spoke but did not vote on the item.

To consider the following applications:

·         22/501315/FULL, St Mawes, The Street, Borden, Kent, ME9 8JN

·         21/506027/FULL St Saviours Church, Whitstable Road, Faversham, Kent, ME13 8BD

Members of the public are advised to confirm with Planning Services prior to the meeting that these 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 12 October 2022.

The Faversham Area Team Leader introduced the application.  He reminded Members that it had been deferred at the meeting held on 18 August 2022 following concerns that Ward Members had not been involved in discussions.

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

A Ward Member, also a member of the Planning Committee, considered the current design was probably the best the applicant was going to offer.

A Member said the applicant had amended the design so could not see any reason to refuse the application.

In response to a question from a Member about the delay in making a decision on the application, the Chair advised that due to an oversight by officers Ward Members had not been consulted.

Resolved:  That application 22/501315/FULL be approved subject to conditions (1) to (3) in the report.   

The Faversham Area Team Leader introduced the application and the reasons it had been deferred as set out in the report.  He reported that further letters of support had been received from local residents, and the applicant had also submitted a letter which had been circulated to Members.

Town Councillor Chris Williams, representing Faversham Town Council, was not present so his statement was read out by the Democratic Services Officer.

Karen Christopher, a supporter, spoke in support of the application.

Martin Collins, an objector, spoke against the application.

Romana Bellinger, the applicant, spoke in support of the application.

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

Members considered the application and points raised included:

·         Concerned that there was evidence that some of the noise from the premises could affect residential amenity;

·         the applicant had waited long enough for a decision and environmental health had no issues;

·         still had concerns regarding noise from the premises;

·         the applicant had suffered enough and considered the new condition (8) was a logical  ...  view the full minutes text for item 391.

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 12 October 2022.

Tabled Item for noting 5.2 added 11.10.22.

Tabled updates for item 2.2 added 12.10.22.

Item 3.2 20/503636/FULL The Former Kemsley Arms has been withdrawn from the agenda.

PART 2

Applications for which PERMISSION is recommended

The Area Planning Officer introduced the application as set out in the report. 

The Conversation & Design Manager considered the gate was an improvement on the existing one and would cause limited harm to views of Tonge mill pond.  He said it would be difficult to refuse on heritage grounds.

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

Members considered the application and raised points which included:

·         Surprised that the Council were supporting this design within a Conservation Area;

·         grass verges needed protecting so did not support hardstanding;

·         could a condition be imposed that the gate be painted black?;

·         the informative should be imposed as a condition; and

·         the applicant was hoping to improve the site.

Councillor Mike Baldock moved a motion for a site visit.  This was seconded by Councillor Monique Bonney.  On being put to the vote the motion was lost.

The Area Planning Officer said that additional wording could be added to condition (3) that the gates were painted black within six months of being installed, and that a further condition could be added to require a gap between the hard surface and the listed building.  This was agreed by Members.

Resolved:  That application 22/501799/FULL be approved subject to conditions (1) to (4) in the report, with an additional condition to maintain a gap between the hardsurface and the listed building, and that condition (3) be amended to include “..and the gates to be painted black within six months of being erected.”   

The Senior Planning Officer introduced the application as set out in the report.  She drew attention to the tabled paper which had previously been circulated to Members, and had provided updates on: details of the notification to appeal on non-determination; hedgerow removal; road name clarification; the economic benefits; a suggested amendment to condition (33); Newington Parish Council objections, set-out at Appendix 1 of the update; planning balance; neighbour comments; and an amendment to paragraph 2.6 of the report which indicated the incorrect housing mix.  

The Senior Planning Officer reported that the Council’s Green Spaces Manager had confirmed the contribution amount as set-out in paragraph 8.221 on page 111 of the report.  She further reported  ...  view the full minutes text for item 392.

The Meeting was adjourned from 9.24 pm until 9.35 pm.

At 10 pm and 10.30 pm Members agreed to the suspension of Standing Orders in order that the Committee could complete its business.