Visitors and members of the public who are unfamiliar with the building and procedures are advised that:

(a)      The fire alarm is a continuous loud ringing. In the event that a fire drill is planned during the meeting, the Chair will advise of this.

(b)      Exit routes from the chamber are located on each side of the room, one directly to a fire escape, the other to the stairs opposite the lifts.

(c)      In the event of the alarm sounding, leave the building via the nearest safe exit and gather at the assembly point on the far side of the car park. Do not leave the assembly point or re-enter the building until advised to do so. Do not use the lifts.

(d)      Anyone unable to use the stairs should make themselves known during this agenda item.

The Chair outlined the emergency evacuation procedure.

To approve the Minutes of the Meeting held on 14 September 2023 (Minute Nos. 287 - 291) as a correct record.

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 14 September 2023 (Minute Nos. 287 – 291) were taken as read, approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

Councillors should not act or take decisions in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their families or friends.

The Chair will ask Members if they have any disclosable pecuniary interests (DPIs) or disclosable non-pecuniary interests (DNPIs) to declare in respect of items on the agenda. Members with a DPI in an item must leave the room for that item and may not participate in the debate or vote. 

Aside from disclosable interests, where a fair-minded and informed observer would think there was a real possibility that a Member might be biased or predetermined on an item, the Member should declare this and leave the room while that item is considered.

Members who are in any doubt about interests, bias or predetermination should contact the monitoring officer for advice prior to the meeting.

Councillor Tony Winckless declared a disclosable non-pecuniary interest in respect of item 3.1 23/502886/FULL 2 Walnut Court, Lammas Drive, Sittingbourne.  He explained that he supported the application and would speak as Ward Member and then not speak or vote on the item.

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 11 October 2023.

PART 2

Applications for which PERMISSION is recommended

The Area Planning Officer introduced the application as set out in the report.

The Chair moved the officer recommendation to approve the application, and this was seconded by Councillor Lloyd Bowen.

The Chair invited Members to make comments and points raised included:

·         There could be some overlooking towards the adjacent property from the proposed dormer windows;

·         considered the Parish Council should have made representations at the meeting as they had referred the application to the Planning Committee;

·         clarification sought on how the retractable pool roof would open and close and whether this would cause any noise issues; and

·         this was a large site, and a relatively modest extension.

In response, the Area Planning Officer considered there would be no harmful overlooking due to the orientation of the windows in the proposed first floor.  He said the neighbouring garage located between the application site and the adjacent property would also help mitigate any overlooking issues.  It was not clear from the application information whether the roof enclosure would be operated manually or not.

Resolved:  That application 23/502632/FULL be approved subject to conditions (1) to (3) in the report.

The Planning Consultant introduced the application as set out in the report.

Tim Malpas, the Agent, spoke in support of the application.

Parish Councillor Duncan Burnett, representing Rodmersham Parish Council, spoke against the application.

A visiting Ward Member spoke against the application.

The Chair moved the officer recommendation to approve the application, and this was seconded by Councillor Lloyd Bowen.

The Chair invited Members to make comments and points raised included:

·         Acknowledged that a robust fence needed to be in place, but considered palisade fencing to be intrusive on a rural lane, although this could be mitigated over time with additional landscaping;

·         this was an industrial type of fencing, very imposing especially taking into account the height of the verge, and it was not suitable for a rural lane;

·         suggested the fencing be moved further back to allow pedestrians to walk on the verge;

·         could see the benefits of the fence, but considered it would have an urbanising impact on the area;

·         this was an improvement to the chain link fencing;

·         the Parish Council and Ward Member should have been consulted prior to the application being submitted;

·         could not see a reason to refuse the application;  ...  view the full minutes text for item 355.