To approve the Minutes of the Meeting held on 23 July 2015 (Minute Nos. 128 - 133) as a correct record.

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 23 July 2015 (Minute Nos. 128 – 133) were taken as read, approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

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.

Councillor Tina Booth, as being a member of Eastchurch Parish Council, declared a non-pecuniary interest in respect of items 2.6 (15/501978/FULL) and 6.1 (APP/V2255/W/15/3014371).  Councillor Tina Booth left the room during consideration of these items.

To approve the Minutes of the Meeting held on 3 August 2015 (Minute Nos. to follow).

15/503484/FULL (2.4) – Chapel Farm, Hillside Road, Stalisfield, Kent, ME13 0JE

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 3 August 2015 (Minute Nos. 142 – 143) were taken as read, approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record, subject to the inclusion of Councillor Andy Booth’s apologies.

2.4 15/503484/FULL – Chapel Farm, Hillside Road, Stalisfied, Kent, ME13 0JE

The Chairman moved the officer recommendation for approval and this was seconded.

Resolved:  That application 15/503484/FULL be approved subject to conditions (1) and (2) in the report.

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 12 August 2015.

PART 2

Applications for which PERMISSION is recommended

Parish Councillor Tutt, representing Dunkirk Parish Council, spoke against the application.

The Chairman moved the officer recommendation for approval and this was seconded.

A Ward Member spoke against the application.  He considered that the application would have a detrimental impact on the visual amenity of the streetscene and the design was poor.

In response to a query from the Ward Member, the Planning Officer stated that since the report had been written no further letters of objection from local residents had been received.  She was aware of a similarly designed extension in the Close and considered the design was appropriate for the area.

In response to a query from a Member, the Planning Officer stated that there were no parking restrictions and on-street parking was available.

A Member considered the proposal would enhance the area.

Resolved:  That 15/503828/FULL be approved subject to conditions (1) and (2) in the report.

Mr Smith, the applicant, spoke in support of the application.

A Ward Member raised concern about the loss of affordable housing in Hartlip and loss of light to the property north of the proposed extension, but noted that the occupier of that property had raised no objection.

The Chairman moved the officer recommendation for approval and this was seconded.

Members raised the following points: consider the design to be acceptable; affordable housing was at a premium and the loss of properties such as this should not be approved lightly, the Council needed to look at the issue; and appreciate that the applicant has taken time to discuss his proposals with his neighbours.

Resolved:  That 15/503997/FULL be approved subject to conditions (1) and (2) in the report.

The Planning Officer confirmed that following recent parish boundary changes the application was within Watling ward.  She also clarified that the application was for the storage of the caravans during the winter season only; the caravans would be unoccupied during this period.  The Planning Officer further stated that the caravans must have been occupied by an agricultural worker in the preceding agricultural season which meant that the caravans could not just  ...  view the full minutes text for item 150.

To decide whether to pass the resolution set out below in respect of the following item:

That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7.

1.    Information relating to any individual.

2.    Information which is likely to reveal the identity of an individual.

3.    Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information). See note below.

4.    Information relating to any consultations or negotiations, or contemplated consultations or negotiations, in connection with any labour relations matter arising between the authority or a Minister of the Crown and any employees of, or office holders under, the authority.

5.    Information in respect of which a claim to legal professional privilege could be maintained in legal proceedings.

6.    Information which reveals that the authority proposes

(a)  To give under any enactment a notice under or by virtue of which requirements are imposed on a person; or

(b)  To make an order or direction under any enactment.

7.    Information relation to any action in connection with the prevention, investigation or prosecution of crime.

Resolved:

(1) That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 2, 3 and 6 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act:

1. Information relating to any individual.

2. Information which is likely to reveal the identity of an individual.

3. Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

4. Information relating to any consultation or negotiations, in connection with any labour relations matter arising between the authority or a Minister of the Crown and any employees of, or office holders under, the authority.

5. Information in respect of which a claim to legal professional privilege could be maintained in legal proceedings.

6. Information which reveals that the authority proposes:

(a) to give under any enactment a notice under or by virtue of which requirements are imposed on a person; or

(b) to make an order or direction under any enactment.

7. Information relating to any action taken in connection with the prevention, investigation or prosecution of crime.

To consider the attached report (Part 6).

6.1 – APP/V2255/W/15/3014371: The erection of four wind turbines with maximum blade tip height of 126.5 metres and associated works/infrastructure at New Rides Farm, Leysdown Road, ME12 4DD (Application SW/13/1571).

The Chairman moved the officer recommendation and this was seconded.

Resolved:  That, potential harm to the health of sufferers of tinnitus and hearing aid users, be removed from the reason for refusal for APP/V2255/W/15/3014371.

The meeting was adjourned at 9.05pm and reconvened at 9.10pm.