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.

No interests were declared.

To consider the attached report.

The Council operates a scheme of public speaking at meetings of the Planning Committee.  Requests to speak at the meeting must be registered with Democratic Services (democraticservices@swale.gov.uk or call 01795 417328) by noon on Friday 13 March 2015.

The Major Projects Officer outlined the application and provided an overview of the six sites included within the proposal.  He reported that Chalkwell Coach Hire had provided further comments which he summarised.  He advised that the applicant had addressed these concerns by providing a swept path analysis, which demonstrated that there was sufficient space within the site to cater for longer buses.  Kent Police have advised that they do not wish to add to their initial comments.  He advised that 25 further letters have been received from third parties, and 2 further objections.

Maidstone Borough Council had raised no objection to the proposal and 22 further letters of support had been received, including from Trenport Investments, Swale Skills Centre and Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School raising new issues, which he summarised.  One further representation had been received making general observations.

The Major Projects Officer advised that with regard to Developer Contributions, and further to Paragraphs 7.16 to 7.18 on Page 31 and the relevant section of the appraisal, paragraphs 9.61 to 9.69, on pages 44 and 45, the applicant had provided a statement which was tabled.

With regard to the proposed retail floor-space and the potential implications for town centre vitality and viability, and further to Paragraphs 9.07 to 9.18, on pages 34 to 36, the applicant had provided a ‘Supporting Statement’ in order to justify the approval of the proposed retail space without restrictive conditions, other than condition (28) on Page 53 of the report.  The Major Projects Officer considered that a further planning condition was required to control the type of retail permitted on the site and that the wording of condition (28) required amendment.  He referred Members to the tabled paper setting out an amended condition (28) and additional condition (44). 

The Major Projects Officer reported that an amended Landscape Report, six additional landscape plans, and further amended plans had been received. These plans sought to address a number of points about the architecture and urban design of the developments and the implications for residential amenity. He considered that many of the points raised had not been addressed but the applicant had submitted an explanatory statement, which sought to explain their response to the requested amendments and this response was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 563.