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 – 18/501494/FULL – St Saviours Church, Whitstable Road, Faversham, ME13 8BD

The Chairman welcomed the applicants and seven members of the public to the meeting.

The Planner introduced the application and explained that the property was a rare, late nineteenth century ‘tin’ church, and was Grade II listed, within the established built-up area of Faversham and within Faversham Conservation Area.  He explained that there was an extension to the back of the church, which was in residential use, and the main body of the church had an approved use as an artists’ studio.  The Planner explained that the building suffered from damp, it was not on the ‘At Risk’ register, but there was work that needed to be carried out to stop any further deterioration.

The Planner explained that the application was for a change of use for the main body of the church to re-instate its previous early historical use for the local community and as a centre for local cultural arts and the provision of food and drink.  The Planner confirmed that listed building consent was not part of this application.  The building would be used as a community hub, in a café style setting, and the proposed hours were 8am to 11pm, seven days a week.

The Planner advised that a licensing application had also been applied for, and he explained that the generic form from that application might have caused confusion, as it stated the venue’s use was for up to 500 people. 

The Planner outlined the objections received from the Faversham Society, Faversham Town Council and seven letters and emails from local residents, as noted in the report for the 21 June 2018 Planning Committee meeting.  He also explained that there had been 15 letters and emails of support, and these were also noted in the report.

The Planner explained that he was in ongoing discussion with the Environmental Health Manager on matters relating to the application.  He acknowledged concerns from local residents, and again referred to the numbers quoted on the licensing application, and explained that the size of the building meant that the figures of those actually able to be in the building were considerably less than the maximum figure of 500 people permitted.  He considered the proposed use was unlikely to cause anti-social behaviour, as the venue was small and would be used for cultural events, and he considered this was a good site for this type of facility.  The Planner referred to Paragraph 70 of the National Planning Policy Framework which encouraged ‘the provision and use of shared space to enhance the sustainability of communities and residential environments’.

The applicant acknowledged the concerns that local residents had raised in terms of the proposed music played at the venue.  He explained that they planned to have music events around twice a month, and he drew attention to the existing outside road noise, especially to the front of the building.  The applicant played a short recording of the type of music that would be played which he explained was classical/contemporary music.  He stated that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 103.