Councillor Elliott Jayes (Vice-Chair) took the chair for this meeting and would be referred to as ‘Chair’ for the remainder of these minutes.

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 Extraordinary Meeting held on 6 August 2024 (Minute Nos. 154 – 165) and the Minutes of the Meeting held on 15 August 2024 (Minute Nos. 173 – 178) as correct records.

The Minutes of the Extraordinary Meeting held on 6 August 2024 (Minute Nos. 154 – 165) and the Minutes of the Meeting held on 15 August 2024 (Minute Nos. 173 – 178) were taken as read, approved and signed by the Chair as correct records.

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.

PART 1

Any other reports to be considered in the public session

The Team Leader (Planning Applications) introduced the application as set out in the report and advised that there were no updates.

The Chair moved the officer recommendation to delegate the decision to officers as per the recommendation in the report, and this was seconded by Councillor Hayden Brawn.

Resolved: That application 24/503449/PNEXT be delegated to officers as per the recommendation in the report.

PART 2

Applications for which PERMISSION is recommended

The Senior Planner introduced the application as set out in the report and advised that there were no updates.

The Chair moved the officer recommendation to grant planning permission as per the recommendation in the report, and this was seconded by Councillor Angela Harrison.

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

• Disappointed that there had been no response to the consultation;
• expansion of the college was overdue; this would make a real difference to the future of young people on the Isle of Sheppey;
• clarification sought on the proposed roof materials;
• this was an opportunity to showcase renewable energy, such as thermal massing;
• the 45% reduction in CO₂ emissions needed to be higher, especially as this was a public building;
• welcomed the application; and
• this was a good design.

In response, the Senior Planner explained that the roofing materials had not yet been agreed, but would be secured by condition at a later date.

Resolved: That application 24/501001/FULL be granted as per the recommendation in the report.

This item has been withdrawn from the agenda.

This item was withdrawn from the agenda.

The Senior Planner introduced the application as set out in the report and advised that there were no updates.

The Chair moved the officer recommendation to grant planning permission as per the recommendation in the report, and this was seconded by Councillor Angela Harrison.

Members welcomed the proposed pitched roof, the improved design and the alterations to the fenestration.

Resolved: That application 24/501571/FULL be granted as per the recommendation in the report.

The Team Leader (Planning Applications) introduced the application as set out in the report and advised that there were no updates.

Eddie Powell, a supporter, spoke in support of the application.

Thelma North, an objector, spoke against the application.

The Chair moved the officer recommendation to grant planning permission as per the recommendation in the report, and this was seconded by Councillor Angela Harrison.

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

• Clarification sought on how close the extension would be to the neighbouring property;
• suggested light measurements be taken to see the impact of the development on the neighbouring property;
• disappointed that there was not a representative from the parish council to speak on the application as they had called it in;
• the garage should be repositioned to address any potential light issues;
• clarification sought on what consideration was given to light issues; and
• considered the front garden was large enough to facilitate the new garage without any light issues.

In response, the Team Leader explained that he believed it was the proposed garage which was the concern to the neighbour, not the extension.  He explained that there was no policy requirement to carry out light measurements.  Officers had assessed the scale of the garage and the distance from the neighbouring property to come to a judgement as to whether the proposals would be harmful or not.

Resolved: That application 24/500664/FULL be granted as per the recommendation in the report.