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

(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.

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.

No interests were declared.  

To approve the Minutes of the Meeting held on 13 October 2022 (Minute Nos. 388 – 394) as a correct record.

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 13 October 2022 (Minute Nos. 388 – 394) were taken as read, approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

To approve the Minutes of the Meeting held on 1 November 2022 (Minute Nos. 403 - 404).

To consider application 22/502340/OUT Land Adjacent Westfield Cottages Breach Lane Lower Halstow Kent ME9 7DD.

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 1 November 2022 (Minute Nos. 403 - 404) were taken as read, approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

22/502340/OUT Land Adjacent Westfield Cottages Breach Lane Lower Halstow Kent ME9 7DD.

The Area Planning Officer referred to the tabled update which set-out a new red-line plan that reduced the overall size of the site.

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

The Chair invited Members to comment on the application. Members raised points which included:

·                The applicant had done a lot of work to clear the site of fly-tipping;

·                concerned that refusing this application would result in the land becoming a dumping site again;

·                the development was only for one dwelling so could not see the harm it brought to the village; and

·                thought the design was in-keeping with the surrounding area.

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

Councillor James Hunt moved a motion to approve the application subject to the relevant conditions, this was seconded by Councillor Cameron Beart. 

On being put to the vote Members agreed that the application should be approved with delegation to officers to compile relevant planning conditions including a restriction in respect of the development only being constructed as a self-build.

Resolved: That delegated authority be given for application 22/502340/OUT to be approved subject to the relevant planning conditions including a restriction in respect of the development only being constructed as a self-build.  

To consider the attached report (Parts 2 and 3).

Tabled update for Item 2.4 added 09.11.2022

Tabled update for Item 2.5 added 09.11.2022

Tabled update for Item Planning Working Group and Item 3.1 added 10.11.2022

Tabled update for Item 2.5 added 10.11.2022

Part 2

Applications for which PERMISSION is recommended.

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The Area Team Leader introduced the application and advised Members of an update to paragraph 2.3 in the report, on the basis that five caravans had been placed on another part of the site, in addition to other caravans which were already on the site. However, as there was a condition requiring them to be moved to comply with the approved layout, this did not raise any particular concerns.

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:

·                Some of the caravans on the site were very close to the erosion zone and erosion was occurring more rapidly;

·                thought the five larger caravans being proposed were good to compared to some of the older caravans on the site;

·                concerned with the water drainage on the site;

·                understood that caravans needed to be moved away from the erosion but was concerned that designated countryside was being used;

·                understood there was nowhere else for these caravans to be relocated;

·                thought that the old 150 designated number of caravans on the site was too many and should be reduced to ensure no additional caravans would be added; and 

·                it was important to replace older caravans with improved larger ones that would last longer and be more sustainable.

In response to queries raised the Area Team Leader explained that the drainage scheme had been assessed by Kent County Council (KCC) who had raised no objection subject to a condition which had been recommended.

Councillor Elliott Jayes moved the following amendment: That the number of caravans permitted on the site be reduced from 150 to 141 and condition (3) be amended accordingly. This was seconded by Councillor Monique Bonney, and on being put to the vote the amendment was agreed.

Resolved: That application 20/503675/FULL be approved subject to conditions (1) to (13) in the report, with the amendment that the number of caravans on the site was reduced to 141 as controlled by condition (3).

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

Sam Fuszard, an objector, spoke against 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 raised points  ...  view the full minutes text for item 438.

The Meeting was adjourned from 8:26 pm until 8.47 pm.

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