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.

No interests were declared.

10am – 17/501755/FULL 60 – 63 Preston Street, Faversham, Kent, ME13 8PG

The Chairman welcomed the applicant, agent, Town Council representatives and member of the public to the meeting.

The Senior Planning Officer introduced the application which sought part retrospective planning permission for the change of use of the ground floor to accommodate an A1 (retail) or A2 (financial and professional) or A3 (restaurant) and the retention of A5 (takeaway), the conversion of the ground, first and second floors to create one two bedroom ground floor flat to the rear of the property, and five two bedroom and two one bedroom properties; with a total increase of 10 dwellings on the site.  She explained that historical features to the front of the shop would be retained, with the addition of access doors.  These changes would be controlled by conditions.  A building to the rear of the property would be demolished.  Further changes to the rear included the inclusion of a central courtyard, parking for 11 vehicles and 16 bicycles, plus three further flats, and a staff room and shower room for the takeaway staff.  The takeaway, already on the site would remain.  There would be a ground floor lean-to for bin storage, plus a ground floor flat-roof extension for the takeaway use.  The Senior Planning Officer explained that additional ground floor windows had been installed on the buildings to the rear of the site.  She also explained that there would be a second floor extension added to the rear of the main building providing stairs to the second floor flats.

The Agent provided the background for the previous uses of the building and referred to earlier planning applications, as noted in the report.  He explained that access to the building had always been from Union Street, and the change of use meant there would no longer be commercial deliveries.  He stated that on an earlier application, won on appeal, the only objection had been the potential loss of the shop front façade.  The façade was being retained on this application.  The Agent advised that the proposal included the sub-division of the existing area to allow for improved access to the multiple units.  The access would not be changed, and although a fire tender could not attend on a swept path, and never had been able to, a dry riser would be provided.  He acknowledged that the applicant had commenced the conversion of the upper floors, as there had been no objection to that part of the application.  The Agent considered it was a simple application which would benefit the local community, as there would be no commercial vehicles entering the site.  He explained that there would be parking and a garden area at the rear of the building.

A representative from Faversham Town Council stated that the building had the largest floor space in Faversham and the Town Council considered it should be retained as retail use, and be offered to a large store.  The Agent responded by stating that the only interest had been from a fitness provider.  In response to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 188.