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.

Councillor Richard Darby declared a Disclosable Non-Pecuniary Interest in respect item 3.1, 19/502969/FULL, Land east of Queenborough Road, Queenborough.  He was advised that he could remain and speak on the item, but he could not take part in the debate or vote.

To approve the Minutes of the meeting held on 10 November 2022 (Minute Nos. 434 – 440) as a correct record.

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 10 November 2022 (Minute Nos. 434 – 440) were taken as read, approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

To consider the following application:

20/505059/FULL Willow Trees 111 High Street Newington Sittingbourne Kent ME9 7JJ

Members of the public are advised to confirm with Planning Services prior to the meeting that the 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 7 December 2022.

Tabled paper added 7 December 2022.

Reports shown in previous Minutes as being deferred from that Meeting

The Major Projects Officer introduced the application and reminded Members that it had been considered by the Planning Committee on 10 November 2022 and Members had resolved to defer it for negotiation for increased visitor parking bays and increased contributions towards electric bike vouchers for future residents.  He explained that there were now three additional visitor parking spaces, so six in total, rather than three as previously proposed and he advised that policy required that there be two visitor parking spaces.

Mr Popat, 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:

·         Pleased to see the improvements to the application;

·         acknowledged that there were now more visitor parking spaces, but these had taken up the space that would have been landscaped;

·         the Council should be trying to get away from additional car parking space, it was much better when the landscaping was there as it softened the street scene; and

·         welcomed the increase in the electric bike voucher, from £500 per household, to £1,000 per household.

Resolved:  That application 20/505059/FULL be approved subject to conditions (1) to (30) in the report and the signing of a suitably-worded Section 106 Agreement, with delegated authority to amend the wording of the legal agreement or conditions as may reasonably be required.  Newington Parish Council to be involved in discussions regarding the Section 106 Agreement.   

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 7 December 2022.

Tabled paper for item 2.1 added 7 December 2022.

Tabled papers for item 3.1 added 7 December 2022.

Responses to questions on item 3.1 added 7 December 2022.

PART 2

Applications for which PERMISSION is recommended

The Area Planning Officer introduced the application as set out in the report and referred to the tabled update for this item.

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

A Ward Member who was also a member of the Planning Committee spoke in support of the application.

Resolved:  That application 21/503842/FULLbe approved subject to conditions (1) to (24) in the report.   

Resolved:  That application 22/500556/LBCbe approved subject to conditions (1) to (7) in the report.   

The Area Planning Officer introduced the application as set out in the report.  He advised that an additional condition should be added to the application if it was approved, to remove Permitted Development Rights (PDR) in relation to boundary treatment. 

John Collins, 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.

A Member agreed with the views of Kent County Council (KCC) Highways & Transportation in terms of the application site’s previous use, with its similar impacts on the highway.

Resolved:  That application 22/503623/FULL be approved subject to conditions (1) to (9) in the report, and an additional condition to remove Permitted Development Rights in relation to boundary treatment. 

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

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:

·         Welcomed the improvement to the windows;

·         noted there was no representation from Faversham Town Council at the meeting;

·         would have preferred it if the windows had smaller panes to match with what had been there originally; and

·         considered this would enhance the conservation area.

Resolved:  That application 22/502712/FULL be approved subject to conditions (1) to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 511.