Audio Recording

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.  Nobody must leave the assembly point until everybody can be accounted for and nobody must return to the building until the Chairman has informed them that it is safe to do so; 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 Meeting held on 4 April 2019 (Minute Nos. 594 - 600) as a correct record.

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 4 April 2019 (Minute Nos. 594 – 600) were taken as read, approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record, subject to noting Councillor Andy Booth’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.

(c)          Where it is possible that a fair-minded and informed observer, having considered the facts would conclude that there was a real possibility that the Member might be predetermined or biased the Member should declare their predetermination or bias and then leave the room while that item is considered.

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 Monitoring Officer, the Head of Legal or from other Solicitors in Legal Services as early as possible, and in advance of the Meeting.

Councillor Cameron Beart declared a Disclosable Non-Pecuniary Interest in respect of the deferred item, 18/501726/FULL, Land between 119a and 121a High Street, Sittingbourne, as he was Chairman of the Licensing Sub-Committee, when the licensing application had been considered.  He reminded Members that Planning and Licensing were two separate regimes.

Councillor Richard Darby declared a Disclosable Non-Pecuniary Interest in respect of item 3.1, 19/500406/FULL, Land west of 12 Main Road, Queenborough.  Councillor Darby did not speak or vote on this item.

Councillor Peter Marchington declared a Disclosable Non-Pecuniary Interest in respect of item 3.1, 19/500406/FULL, Land west of 12 Main Road, Queenborough. 

To consider the following application:

18/501726/FULL – Land between 119a and 121a High Street, Sittingbourne

Members of the public are advised to confirm with Planning Services prior to the meeting that the application will be considered at this meeting.

Requests to speak on this item must be registered with Democratic Services (democraticservices@swale.gov.uk or call us on 01795 417328) by noon on Wednesday 24 April 2019.

Reports shown in previous Minutes as being deferred from that Meeting

Mr Doug Brown, an objector, spoke against the application.

Mr Roger Etchells, the Agent, spoke in support of the application.

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

The Chairman invited Members to ask questions.

A Member asked whether the application complied with Policy DM1 of the Local Plan?  The Senior Planner explained that as the plot was vacant at the moment, there was not a loss of retail floorspace, and it was not diluting the vitality of the High Street.  The Senior Planner acknowledged that the application did not fully comply with 1c of DM1 as it would result in a concentration of non-retail frontage at this part of the High Street.  He added that in the wider context there was a diverse use of units in this section of the High Street, and more retail uses than other uses.

The Member asked whether the application was detrimental to the concentration of retail frontages and the Senior Planner said that it was not.

The Committee debated the proposal to approve the application and raised the following points:

·         It was an unfortunate position that the application had come back to the Committee, after having been considered at the meetings in November 2018 and April 2019;

·         in the immediate vicinity of the application, six out of eight of the units were non-retail, which was potentially damaging to Policy DM1, however, there was currently nothing on this site;

·         there were already enough gambling facilities in the High Street;

·         this was not desirable for Sittingbourne High Street;

·         this was positioned near to the entrance point to the Spirit of Sittingbourne development;

·         this should be treated as a new application, and not just to consider the additional conditions that had been omitted from the resolution in November 2018;

·         this should be refused;

·         this would not enhance the High Street;

·         the application was detrimental to the High Street;

·         there were similar facilities already nearby;

·         with regard to paragraph 2.05 in the report, this would not provide greater vitality, viability or diversity;

·         the application was not necessary or welcome, and would not add anything to the High Street;

·         gambling issues: mental health, addiction;

·         the application would not benefit the High Street;

·         it would have a negative impact on other businesses;

·         a retail use was needed, we should wait for that;

·         this was not the right business to attract people to the High Street;

·         some of these points were not material planning considerations, there needed to be strong planning reasons if the application  ...  view the full minutes text for item 611.

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 24 April 2019.

Tabled Update for item 2.1 added 25 April 2019.

PART 2

Applications for which PERMISSION is recommended

The Major Projects Officer referred Members to the tabled update.  He sought delegated authority to approve the application subject to two further conditions (not included in the tabled paper).  One, to ensure the gate to the site was kept unlocked for pedestrians to access the recreation ground and cross the railway line, and for it to be kept available in perpetuity.  The second, that highway works be approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.  He further explained that Kent County Council (KCC) Highways and Transportation had been happy with the application, but had required an agreement to ensure the details of the highway works were controlled by planning condition.  The Major Projects Officer explained that this would result in a wider planning benefit.  He added that KCC Archaeology had no objection to the application.  They had not requested an archaeological watching brief, but instead an archaeological condition, with a programme of archaeological works, with a timetable to be agreed.

Margaret Tilley, an objector, spoke against the application.

Mr George Wilson, the Applicant, spoke in support of the application.

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

The Chairman invited Members to ask questions.

A Member asked to see a plan of the nearby Preston Malthouse and indications of what was intended.  The Major Projects Officer showed a cross-section drawing and explained that Preston Malthouse was approximately one storey below the level of the access to the site, and there was an outside terrace wall parallel to the access road.  The slope would be planted-up, in accordance with condition (11), and this would consist of native species.  The Major Projects Officer explained that changes in the design layout of the road/junction were proposed.  It would be tarmacked, with a segregated footpath.  The road would be one-way with speed cushions to slow traffic down.

A Member asked what measures would be taken to ensure that the bank was properly maintained in the future?  The Major Projects Officer explained that the onus was on the developer to maintain the site in perpetuity after the standard five-year maintenance plan.  In response to a further question from the Member, the Major Projects Officer explained that traffic would enter the site from the B2040, and that the corner of the exit road and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 612.

The Chairman and Councillor Mike Henderson, who were not standing for election were thanked and they thanked other Members and officers.