To approve the Minutes of the Meeting held on 11 December 2014 (Minute Nos. 405 - 411) as a correct record.

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 11 December 2014 (Minute Nos. 405 – 411) were taken as read, approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record, subject to recording Councillor Derek Conway’s apologies.

Councillors should not act or take decisions in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves or their spouse, civil partner or person with whom they are living with as a spouse or civil partner.  They must declare and resolve any interests and relationships.

The Chairman will ask Members if they have any interests to declare in respect of items on this agenda, under the following headings:

(a)          Disclosable Pecuniary Interests (DPI) under the Localism Act 2011.  The nature as well as the existence of any such interest must be declared.  After declaring a DPI, the Member must leave the meeting and not take part in the discussion or vote.  This applies even if there is provision for public speaking.

(b)          Disclosable Non Pecuniary (DNPI) under the Code of Conduct adopted by the Council in May 2012.  The nature as well as the existence of any such interest must be declared.  After declaring a DNPI interest, the Member may stay, speak and vote on the matter.

Advice to Members:  If any Councillor has any doubt about the existence or nature of any DPI or DNPI which he/she may have in any item on this agenda, he/she should seek advice from the Director of Corporate Services as Monitoring Officer, the Head of Legal or from other Solicitors in Legal Services as early as possible, and in advance of the Meeting.

The Chairman noted that with regard to item 2.2, New Rides Farm, Leysdown Road, Eastchurch, some Councillors were members of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) but this did not prejudice their ability to make a decision on the application.

To approve the Minutes of the Meeting held on 29 December 2014 (Minute Nos. to follow).

3.1 14/502473 – Hazelhope Barn, Stalisfield Road, Stalisfield, ME13 0HY

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 29 December 2014 (Minute Nos. 412 – 413) were taken as read, approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

3.1 – 14/502473 – Hazelhope Barn, Stalisfield Road, Stalisfied

The Chairman reminded Members that at the meeting on 11 December 2014 he had moved the officer recommendation for refusal which was seconded, and this recommendation remained ‘live’.

The Ward Member spoke in support of the application and considered everything was already in place on the site for this to be progressed.  He explained that there was no objection to the application from local residents and that as it was only a temporary permission this would enable the applicants to show that it was a viable business.  The Ward Member considered the proposed application was better than the building going to ruin.

In response to a question, the Development Manager explained that the tourist accommodation on the site was approved in 2005, for holiday accommodation only, not for personal use, for a period of no longer than four weeks at a time in a calendar year by an individual.

Members raised the following points:  there was no change to the character of the building; if used for residential, the holiday accommodation would be lost; there was no planning reason given at the Planning Working Group for allowing the application; this was in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB); holiday accommodation had been approved, permanent permission would not have been approved due to the site’s setting in the countryside; concerned that the applicants had moved off the site, now they wanted to return; and what would happen when the temporary permission came to an end.

The motion to refuse the application was not agreed.

Councillor Prescott moved a motion to approve the application and this was seconded by Councillor Tony Winckless.

A Member raised concern with the implications of approval of the application on further development of the site and that a precedent could be set.  The Development Manager explained that permanent permission for residential use had previously been refused in 2014 for this site.  In response to a question, the Planning Lawyer explained that reasons for approval were not currently required, and that each application needed to be considered on its own merits.

On being put to the vote, the motion for approval was agreed.  Members also agreed to delegate to officers to allow for suitably worded conditions to be added to the decision notice.

Resolved:  That application 14/502473 be delegated to officers to approve subject to suitably worded conditions.

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 7 January 2014.

PART 2

Applications for which PERMISSION is recommended

The Planning Officer reported that there was an error on page 3 of the report; the last word in paragraph 2.04 should read ‘eaves’ not ‘ridge’.  He explained that Kent County Council (KCC) Highways had objected to the application.  Their comments included:  insufficient parking provision; tandem spaces were not acceptable, there needed to be two independently accessible spaces; access and turning spaces were inadequate on some of the parking spaces; some parking spaces were not next to the property and this would encourage parking on the main road; and the proposed access from Sheppey Way was not appropriate because of the nature of the road and the proximity to the splitter road.  In response to KCC Highways comments, the Planning Officer reported that the Agent had submitted amended drawings that afternoon with the following changes:  windows on blank flank elevations; roofs on flats changed from gable to hipped to reduce bulk; visual interest to the flats including projecting bays, recessed section and projecting windows; changes to car ports locations to enhance privacy to gardens; additional planting; one additional visitor parking space and turning areas enlarged and access road widened.

The Planning Officer advised that the Agent had stated that KCC Highways reference to garages was incorrect as no garages were planned for the development, and that 76 spaces were proposed compared to the 57 required by the adopted parking standards.

The Planning Officer sought delegation to approve subject to further discussion of the Agent’s amended plans with KCC Highways.

Mr Kirby, the Agent, spoke in support of the application.

Councillor Ben Stokes moved a motion for deferral for further discussions in relation to the location of the flats and also with KCC Highways following the receipt of the amended drawings.  This was seconded by Councillor Bryan Mulhern.  On being put to the vote the motion was agreed.

Resolved:  That application 14/504557 be deferred for further discussions in relation to the location of the flats and also with KCC Highways following the receipt of the amended drawings. 

The Planning Officer drew Members’ attention to the tabled paper for this item referred to in paragraph 9.84 on page 48 of the report.  The Planning Officer highlighted a couple of errors in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 417.