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 Kieran Golding declared a Disclosable non-pecuniary interest in respect of item 2.2 20/500015/OUT Land at Abbeyfields, Faversham as he was a member of the Faversham Society.  Councillor Golding said he had not been involved in any meetings when the application had been considered and had an open-mind and would listen to all sides before voting.

To consider the attached report (Part 2).

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 Tuesday 27 June 2023.

Tabled updates for item 2.2 Land at Abbeyfields published 27.06.23.

Three tabled updates for item 2.2 Land at Abbeyfields published 28.06.23.

PART 2

Applications for which PERMISSION is recommended

The Planning Consultant introduced the application as set-out in the report.  She reported that the Environment Agency (EA) had no further comments.

Matthew Blythin, the Agent, 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 Ward Member, also a member of the Planning Committee, was disappointed that the Members that had called in the application were not in attendance.  He was also disappointed that flats were included within the development, but he welcomed the suggestions from the Active Travel Officer as set-out on page 14 of the report and queried whether the suggestions had been fully incorporated.

In response the Planning Consultant confirmed they had apart from the suggestion in paragraph 6.9 on page 15 of the report, in respect of restoring the small strip of land at the north of the development with a wide surfaced path and lighting.  She explained that officers could investigate the exact location of the railway line but if it traversed dwellings and rear gardens the suggestion could not be incorporated.  She suggested officers be given delegated authority to impose a suitably worded condition for it to be looked at and incorporated if possible.  This was agreed by Members.

The Ward Member considered condition (12) of the report in respect of submission of the travel plan was “generous” to the developer.  He asked that it be amended to read “Prior to the first occupation of the 10th dwelling…” not the 100^th as stated.  This was agreed by Members.

The Ward Member also requested an amendment to condition (11) installation of the Local Area of Play (LAP) should be implemented “….prior to the occupation of the 10^th dwelling” not the 150^th dwelling as stated.  The Planning Consultant sought delegated authority to discuss whether that was possible with the agent.  This was agreed by Members.

Members considered the report and points raised included:

·         Supported this application as it was within the built-up area of Minster;

·         did not support the application as the infrastructure on the Isle of Sheppey was at capacity;

·         the Kent County Council (KCC) Highways & Transportation’s directive had indicated that there would be no more highway improvements on the Isle of Sheppey;

·         the nearest junction to the development had an average of 12,000 vehicle movements per day; and

·         anti-social behaviour was an issue in the area and Kent Police were non-existent.

Councillor Andy Booth asked that it be minuted that he was not  ...  view the full minutes text for item 155.

The Meeting was adjourned from 7.15 pm until 7.20 pm, and from 9 pm until 9.15 pm.