The Chairman will advise the meeting of the evacuation procedures to follow in the event of an emergency. This is particularly important for visitors and members of the public who will be unfamiliar with the building and procedures.

The Chairman will inform the meeting whether there is a planned evacuation drill due to take place, what the alarm sounds like (i.e. ringing bells), where the closest emergency exit route is, and where the second closest emergency exit route is, in the event that the closest exit or route is blocked.

The Chairman will inform the meeting that:

(a) in the event of the alarm sounding, everybody must leave the building via the nearest safe available exit and gather at the Assembly points at the far side of the Car Park; and

(b) the lifts must not be used in the event of an evacuation.

Any officers present at the meeting will aid with the evacuation.

It is important that the Chairman is informed of any person attending who is disabled or unable to use the stairs, so that suitable arrangements may be made in the event of an emergency.

The Chairman ensured that those present were aware of the emergency evacuation procedure.

To approve the Minutes of the Meetings held on 10 March 2016 (Minute Nos. 584 - 592) and the Extraordinary Meetings on 30 March 2016 (Minute Nos. to follow) and 31 March 2016 (Minute Nos. to follow) as correct records.

The Minutes of the Meetings held on 10 March 2016 (Minute Nos. 584 – 592) and the Extraordinary Meetings held on 30 March 2016 (Minute Nos. 627 – 629) and 31 March 2016 (Minute Nos. 630 – 633) were taken as read, approved and signed by the Chairman as correct records.

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 declared an interest in respect of item 2.2 15/501134/FULL Shurland Hall, High Street, Eastchurch and left the Chamber during consideration of this item.

Councillor Nicholas Hampshire declared an interest in respect of item 2.8 15/507804/FULL Land at Woodgate Lane, Borden as he was also a member of Borden Parish Council, and the applicant was the Chairman of the Parish Council.

Councillor Peter Marchington declared an interest in respect of item 2.2 15/501134/FULL Shurland Hall, High Street, Eastchurch as the applicant was known to him.

Councillor Mike Baldock declared an interest in respect of item 2.8 15/507804/FULL Land at Woodgate Lane, Borden and explained that he would speak in his capacity as Ward Member.

To approve the Minutes of the Meeting held on 21 March 2016 (Minute Nos. 617 - 619) as a correct record.

2.6 15/503652/FULL, 15/503656/LBC and 15/503659/ADV 5 Market Street, Faversham, ME13 7AH

2.1 15/507023/FULL Dukes Shaw, Bexon Lane, Bredgar, ME9 8HG

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 21 March 2016 (Minute Nos. 617 – 619) were taken as read, approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record subject to noting that in respect of the first paragraph on page 635, the site was not ancient woodland.

15/503652/FULL, 15/503656/LBC and 15/503659/ADV – 5 Market Place, Faversham, ME13 7AH

The Chairman moved the officer recommendation to approve the application and this was seconded.

A Ward Member spoke sympathetically on the amount of work that was needed at the property. 

Members raised the following points:  this was an excellent scheme; this was in the core shopping area of the town, the property had always been a retail outlet, and this would be a loss of retail use; concerned with losing any shop from the key retail area; the proposal would improve the exterior of the property; and there would still be some retail use on the site.

In response to a question, the Chairman confirmed that the adjoining property, was non-retail.

Resolved: 

That application 15/503652/FULL be approved subject to conditions (1) to (4) in the report.

That application 15/503656/LBC be approved subject  to conditions (1) to (13) in the report.

That application 15/503659/ADV be approved subject to conditions (1) to (6) in the report.

15/507023/FULL – Dukes Shaw, Bexon Lane, Bredgar, ME9 8HG

The Chairman moved the officer recommendation to approve the application and this was seconded.

The Planner suggested that three additional conditions be added to the application, as follows:  that no more than two tents be permitted on the site, with no other leisure use; that there be no further buildings or storage structures added to the site; and that the application be solely for the benefit of the applicant.

Members raised the following points:  concerned with the proposed leisure use; concerned with the future of the land; the site would become visible if some of the trees were lost; this was a good idea, but concerned with the quality of the structures on the site; the site was not visible from the motorway or footpaths; concerned with the size of the tents, a condition on the size should be added; and concern that site is/could be used as residential.

In response, the Planner advised that the trees on the site were not of the quality that justified serving a Tree Preservation Order.  He reported that the applicant had stated that the trees would remain, subject to normal tree management.  He further advised that condition (2) in the report addressed any residential use on the site.

Councillor Mike Henderson moved the following amendment:  that the size of the tents is conditioned, i.e. modest size.  This was not seconded.

The Area Planning Officer advised that any condition needed to be precise, with dimensions and this could be difficult to enforce.

Resolved:  That application 15/507023/FULL be approved subject to conditions (1) and (2) in the report, plus an additional three conditions: that no more than two tents be permitted on  ...  view the full minutes text for item 637.

To consider the attached report (Sections 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 6 April 2016.

Tabled Paper for item 3.1 added 14 April 2016.

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 to approve the application and this was seconded.

A Ward Member had some concerns with the application.  He referred to the neighbouring property where a similar application was won on appeal and stated there was not a planning reason to refuse this application.

Discussion ensued on the parking to the front of the property and the loss of the garage space to residential use.

Resolved:  That application 15/508571/FULL be approved subject to conditions (1) and (2) in the report.

Members were advised that the Ward above needed to be amended to read ‘Sheppey East’.

The Chairman moved the officer recommendation to approve the application and this was seconded.

A Ward Member spoke in support of the application.

Resolved:  That application 15/501134/FULL be approved subject to conditions (1) and (2) in the report.

The Chairman moved the officer recommendation to approve the application and this was seconded.

Resolved:  That application 15/510368/FULL be approved subject to conditions (1) to (4) in the report.

The Area Planning Officer reported that amended plans had been received which shifted the proposed dwelling to the side, abutting no. 68 Park Drive, and this increased parking on the site.  The new plans would be consulted upon and the Area Planning Officer sought delegated authority to approve the application, subject to no fresh planning issues being raised.

Parish Councillor Lee Burgess, representing Tunstall Parish Council, spoke against the application.

Mr John Lawrence, an objector, spoke against the application.

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

The Chairman moved the officer recommendation to approve the application and this was seconded.

A Ward Member spoke against the application.  He considered that although the size of the dwelling had been reduced, the objections raised on page 22 of the report still  ...  view the full minutes text for item 638.

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

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 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 Enforcement Schedule

The Enforcement Team Manager introduced the report and provided updates where applicable.  Members went through the schedule page by page and the Enforcement Team Manager responded to questions and updated the schedule following suggestions by Members.

6.2 Ref 16/500027/CHANGE– Unauthorised Outbuilding 26 Hugh Price Close, Sittingbourne, Kent ME10 3AR

Resolved:  That an Enforcement Notice be issued pursuant to the provisions of Section 172 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, as amended, requiring the removal of the outbuilding for the reason set out in the Committee report, within 3 months of the Notice taking effect.

That the Head of Planning and Head of Legal Partnership of the Council be authorised to prepare and serve the necessary documentation, including the precise wording and reasons thereof to give effect to this decision.

6. 3     Ref      ENF GEN - Land Adjacent to Downsells Barn, Swanton Street, Bredgar

Resolved:  That an Enforcement Notice be issued pursuant to the provisions of Section 172 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, as amended, requiring that the excavated area land be returned to the same condition as the immediately surrounding land within 3 months of the Notice taking effect.

That the Head of Planning and Head of Legal Partnership of the Council be authorised to prepare and serve the necessary documentation, including the precise wording and reasons thereof to give effect to this decision.

The meeting was adjourned at 8.34pm and reconvened at 8.39pm.