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

(a)      The fire alarm is a continuous loud ringing. In the event that a fire drill is planned during the meeting, the Chair will advise of this.

(b)      Exit routes from the chamber are located on each side of the room, one directly to a fire escape, the other to the stairs opposite the lifts.

(c)      In the event of the alarm sounding, leave the building via the nearest safe exit and gather at the assembly point on the far side of the car park. Do not leave the assembly point or re-enter the building until advised to do so. Do not use the lifts.

(d)      Anyone unable to use the stairs should make themselves known during this agenda item.

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 Monique Bonney declared a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in respect of item 2.3 23/501317/ADV Land at Station Road; land at Market Place & land at Partridge Lane/Court Street, Faversham as she was previously the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and was also the Chair of the Regeneration and Property Committee.  Councillor Bonney left the chamber whilst the item was considered.

Councillor Mike Baldock declared a Disclosable Non Pecuniary Interest in respect of item 3.1 22/505870/FULL Land adjacent to Pebble Court Farm, Woodgate Lane Borden as he sat on Borden Parish Council, but had not discussed the application.

Councillor Chris Palmer declared a Disclosable Non Pecuniary Interest in respect of the first Planning Working Group item, 22/505618/FULL Land at School Lane, Newington.  Councillor Palmer spoke as Ward Member and then left the chamber whilst the application was considered.

To approve the Minutes of the meetings held on:

17 May 2023 (Minute Nos. 29 – 30)

25 May 2023 (Minute Nos. 45 – 52)

1 June 2023 (Minute Nos. 53 – 57)

5 June 2023 (Minute Nos. 58 – 63)

as correct records.

The Minutes of the following meetings were taken as read, approved and signed by the Chair as correct records:

17 May 2023 (Minute Nos. 29 – 30)

25 May 2023 (Minute Nos. 45 – 52)

1 June 2023 (Reconvened) (Minute Nos. 53 – 57)

5 June 2023 (Extraordinary) (Minute Nos (58 – 63)

To approve the Minutes of the Meeting held on 13 June 2023 (Minute Nos. to follow).  Minutes added 21 June 2023 (Minute Nos. 87 – 89)

To consider the following applications:

22/505618/FULL, Land at School Lane, Newington ME9 7JU

22/500007/FULL, Sheerness Bus Station, Bridge Road, Sheerness ME12 1RH

Update report for Land at School Lane, Newington added 14 June 2023.

Further update report for Land at School Lane, Newington, following site meeting, added 21 June 2023, and appendices.

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 13 June 2023 (Minute Nos. 87 - 89) were taken as read, approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

22/505618/FULL – Land at School Lane, Newington

The Planning Consultant introduced the application.  She referred to the tabled papers for the application which included:  the report, appendix and tabled update which went to the Planning Committee on 9 March 2023; an updated report, with appendices, following the site visit on 13 June 2023; and an updated report dated 14 June 2023.  The Planning Consultant explained that the applicant had advised that photovoltaic cells would be installed on the roofs of the properties.  She highlighted that highway concerns had been raised at the site visit, but reminded Members that highway issues were not part of the reasons for refusal on the previous application, and that the impact on the countryside should be the focus of debate.

A visiting Ward Member spoke against the application.

The Chair raised concern with the late submission of documents and the Development Manager explained, that after seeking advice from the Council’s solicitors, due process had taken place in the sharing of documents that had been submitted.

The Chair moved the officer recommendation to approve the application and this was seconded by Councillor James Hunt.

A Ward Member who was also a member of the Planning Committee spoke against the application, then left the Chamber during the discussion.

The Chair invited Members to make comments, and these included the following points:

·         Concerned with the impact on the highway from the proposed development, including the low bridge at Church Lane, Newington;

·         the development would be built on Grade I agricultural land;

·         supported officers’ view that they did not consider the development would impact the area;

·         concerned that this was outside of the built-up boundary, but needed to consider the Council’s lack of a 5-year housing supply;

·         clarification sought on the ‘enhanced renewable features’ and the potential  financial implications if any contaminated land was found;

·         not impressed with the ‘enhanced environmental measures’;

·         did not consider that Kent County Council (KCC) Highways & Transportation’s assumption that traffic would turn right onto Church Lane was correct as this was not what was evidenced at the site visit;

·         referring to paragraph 9.31 on the 9 March 2023 report, considered the application did create significant harm to the landscape character, and that the benefits did not outweigh the harm;

·         concerned with the impact on the rural lanes;

·         did not consider traffic could enter or exit the site safely;

·         this development would result in erosion of the countryside;

·         there could be an issue with construction traffic accessing the site and turning;

·         concerned that the Railton report, which was more detailed than the KCC report was not provided alongside the other tabled reports;

·         the nearby roads were not suited to Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs); and

·         concerned with highway safety and considered Newington could not cope with any increased traffic.

In response, the Planning Consultant outlined the environmental  ...  view the full minutes text for item 130.

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 21 June 2023.

Tabled update for item 3.2 added 21 June 2023.

PART 2

Applications for which PERMISSION is recommended

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

Steve Waterman, the Applicant, spoke in support of the application.

The Chair moved the officer recommendation to approve the application, and this was seconded by Councillor Mike Henderson.

Resolved:  That application 22/504625/FULL be approved subject to conditions (1) to (11) in the report and the receipt of a Strategic Access Management and Monitoring Strategy payment.

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

Parish Councillor Tony Trim, representing Norton Parish Council, spoke against the application.

The Chair moved the officer recommendation to approve the application, and this was seconded by Councillor Monique Bonney.

The Chair invited Members to make comments and these included the following points:

·         Clarification sought on the refusal of a similar application (19/504418/FULL) set out on page 22 of the report;

·         clarification sought on the doors and windows on the building;

·         concerned the building could become a residential use, a condition was needed to ensure the use was only for holiday let;

·         condition (3) restricted the use to holiday lets;

·         had a business case assessment been carried out?; and

·         considered it was difficult to enforce condition (3) in the report.

In response, the Area Planning Officer explained the following:  the refusal of application 19/504418/FULL was because it was a new dwelling in the countryside, whereas this application was for the conversion of a commercial building to a holiday let; planning policy supported the conversion of rural buildings to holiday accommodation, and this application was very different to unrestricted residential use in the countryside; the windows and doors were the same as those on the existing building located on the site and gave the building a residential appearance, and this was restricted by conditions; there were permitted development rights in respect of the lawful commercial use of the building and the minor changes to the windows and doors would come under this in any case; a business case assessment was only needed on a new build holiday let, not a conversion; if there was a complaint regarding the use of the building, officers could request to see the booking schedule; and he considered condition (3) was enforceable.

There was some discussion on the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 131.

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