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 Meeting held on 10 October 2024 (Minute Nos. to-follow) as a correct record.

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 10 October 2024 (Minute Nos. 329 – 340) were taken as read, approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record subject to the following amendment to Minute No 336 (2.3 22/502086/OUT Land east of Scocles Road, Minster):  That application 22/502086/OUT be deferred to allow the Chair and Vice-Chair in conjunction with the Labour and Conservative spokespersons meet with the applicant, the relevant Swale Borough Council (SBC) officers and Kent County Council (KCC) officers to make the application ready for a committee decision, and that an independent traffic survey be undertaken.

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.

Schedule of Decisions

PART 3

Applications for which REFUSAL is recommended.

The Chair reported that the Secretary of State had informed officers just less than three hours before the meeting, that under Section 77 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 they were calling in the application.  He explained that this meant the Council were no longer the determining authority but could still inform the Secretary of State what the Council’s decision would have been.  This would also form the basis of the Council’s response to the Inquiry.

The Chair reported that any registered speakers could withdraw from speaking and instead provide comments to the Secretary of State via the Planning Inspectorate (PINS) website, and that Parish Councils could apply for Rule 6 Status.

A Member thanked the officer for all his due diligence and work in producing the ‘first-class’ report.

Councillor Lloyd Bowen moved the following motion:  That if the meeting was adjourned until Monday 11 November 2024, and then again until Thursday 14 November 2024, the meetings commenced at 7 pm, not 6 pm as suggested.  This was seconded by Councillor James Hunt.  The Chair said it was not the right time to be considering such a motion and referred Members to the agenda and item 3.1.

The Principal Planning Consultant advised that following the call-in, the officer recommendation needed to be amended to read: “To delegate to the Head of Place the authority to manage and progress all aspects of the Council’s case before the Secretary of State in relation to determination of the application”.   The Principal Planning Consultant explained that whilst the report outlined the Council’s reasons for refusing the application, the Secretary of State might want the Council’s views on other areas including: delivering a sufficient supply of homes; building a strong, competitive  ...  view the full minutes text for item 376.

The Chair reminded Members that as for item 3.1, the Secretary of State had informed officers that under Section 77 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 they were calling in the application.  This meant the Council were no longer the determining authority but could still inform the Secretary of State what the Council’s decision would have been.  This would also form the basis of the Council’s response to the Secretary of State’s Inquiry.

The Principal Planning Consultant advised that following the call-in the officer recommendation needed to be amended to read: “To delegate to the Head of Place the authority to manage and progress all aspects of the Council’s case before the Secretary of State in relation to determination of the application”.   The Principal Planning Consultant explained that whilst the committee report outlined the Council’s reasons for refusing the application, the Secretary of State might want the Council’s views on other areas including: delivering a sufficient supply of homes; building a strong, competitive economy, promoting sustainable transport; conserving and enhancing the natural environment; conserving and enhancing the historic environment; consistency with the development plan for the area; and any other matters the Inspector considered relevant.

The Principal Planning Consultant reported that given the Council were no longer the decision maker, he would focus on the key issues where refusal was recommended as set out in the committee report which included: interrelationship with the Southern Relief Road; severance; modelling and mitigation; Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations: air quality and noise; and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 377.

The Meeting was adjourned at 7 pm until 7.10 pm and then again at 20.10 pm until 20.15 pm.