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.

To approve the Minutes of the meeting held on 17 August 2023 (Minute Nos. 226 – 229) as a correct record.

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 17 August 2023 (Minute Nos. 226 – 229) 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 Alastair Gould explained that he had declared a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in respect of the Salters Lane item in May 2022, in relation to the Section 106 Agreement contribution to primary care facilities in Faversham.  He said that as the Section 106 Agreement was not being discussed at this meeting, he would participate in the discussion.

Councillor Claire Martin declared a Disclosable Non-pecuniary Interest in respect of item 2.5 23/501167/REM Site A, Preston Fields, Salters Lane, Faversham as she lived nearby.  Councillor Martin said she had a clear mind on the application.

The Planning Development Manager explained that the NPPF had recently been revised.  She said the changes did not impact any of the items on the agenda but explained that some of the NPPF paragraph numbers mentioned in the reports, conditions and reasons for refusal would need to be updated to reflect the changes.

The Chair moved the following motion:  That officers be given delegated authority to amend the NPPF paragraph numbers in the reports, conditions and reasons for refusal to reflect the revised numbers following the updated NPPF.  This was seconded by Councillor Tony Winckless.  On being put to the vote the motion was agreed.

Resolved:

(1)      That officers be given delegated authority to amend the paragraph numbers within the reports, conditions and reasons for refusal on the agenda to reflect the changes following the revised NPPF.

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 13 September 2023.

Item 2.2 has been withdrawn from the agenda – updated 11 September 2023.

Tabled papers for item 2.6 added 13 September 2023.

Tabled paper for item 2.6 added 14 September 2023.

PART 2

Applications for which PERMISSION is recommended

The Area Planning Officer introduced the application as set out in the report.  He explained that Minster Parish Council had objected to the window on the side elevation, but he said the existing bungalow already had a window on that side, and so there would be no increased overlooking.

George Gunton, the Agent, spoke in support of the application.

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

The Chair invited Members to make comments and points raised included:

·         The street scene was made up of different types of properties, with varying heights and this was an improvement to the existing bungalow;

·         considered that as Minster Parish Council had not responded to clarification from officers in relation to the side-facing window not being obscure glazed, that the application should not have come to the Planning Committee;

·         bungalows were needed on the Isle of Sheppey;

·         concerned with the scale and size of the new development; and

·         clarification sought as to whether an air source heat pump would be installed.

In response, the Area Planning Officer explained that the applicant had not included an air source heat pump within their application.  There was a condition which required at least a 50% reduction in emissions, and he was confident that the scheme would be energy efficient.  In response to a question, he explained that condition (3) could be amended to include the provision of an air source heat pump, subject to mitigation measures due to the noise impact from the pump.  In response to a further question, the Area Planning Officer explained that an air source heat pump could be added later by the resident under Permitted Development Rights.

Councillor Tony Winckless moved the following amendment:  That condition (3) be amended to include the installation of an air source heat pump, subject to mitigation in relation to any noise impact, and the precise wording be delegated to officers.  This was seconded by Councillor Lloyd Bowen.  On being put to the vote the amendment was agreed.

Resolved:  That application 23/502492/FULLbe delegated to officers to approve subject to conditions (1) to (12) in the report, with an amendment tocondition (3) to include the installation of an air source heat pump, subject to mitigation in relation to any noise impact.

Item 2.2 was withdrawn from the agenda.

The Area Planning Officer introduced the application as set out in the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 291.