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.

No interests were declared.

9.30am:  SW/14/0486 (2.1) – Parsonage Farm, School Lane, Newington, Sittingbourne, ME9 7LB

The Chairman welcomed the applicants agent; representatives from Newington Parish Council; and sixteen local residents who attended in objection to the application.

The Area Planning Officer introduced the application which was for the erection of 14 3, 4 and 5 bedroom properties at Parsonage Farm, School Lane Newington.  The Area Planning Officer advised that the site was just outside of the built-up area boundary of Newington and opposite Newington Primary School.

The Area Planning Officer reported that 7 of the properties would front School Lane and 7 were located within the application site, with each dwelling having at least 2 parking spaces with garages and car barns provided.  The Area Planning Officer further reported that the proposed dwellings would have traditional pitched roofs and road surfaces would be a combination of block paving and bonded gravel.  The Area Planning Officer advised that a narrow bonded gravel footpath would provide pedestrian access to the houses fronting School Lane at the top of the bank, and a new footway link to the development which included traffic calming outside the Primary School opposite the development.

The Area Planning Officer advised that confirmation of land ownership for garages at plots 12 and 13 was awaited and Officers would update Members at the Planning Committee meeting on 9 October 2014. 

The Area Planning Officer reported that Kent County Council (KCC) Highways raised no objection and delegated approval was sought subject to the conditions outlined in the report, the signing of a suitably worded Section 106 Agreement, confirmation of land ownership for garages at plots 12 and 13 and a further condition relating to details of bin storage.

Mr Przyjenski, the Agent, advised that in preparing the application they had worked closely with Planning Officers, KCC Highways and the Conservation Officer to ensure a development which enhanced the local area and rural character of the site.

Mr Harris, representing Newington Parish Council, spoke against the proposal and raised the following concerns: disappointed with the views provided by KCC Highways and consider the proposed entrance to the site was not suitable opposite a primary school; does not address the housing needs of the village; would have a detrimental impact on the visual amenity of the area; would result in loss of light to Parsonage Farm; would lead to further congestion in Church Lane; vehicles already have problems turning into Church Lane from the A2 and the proposal would only add to this problem, having an adverse impact on the Air Quality Management Area; if approved should consider providing a mini-roundabout to access the site; views from the nearby cemetery would be lost; and no play areas had been provided on the Church Lane side of the A2.

Local residents raised the following points: why had some trees at the site been removed before an ecological report had been provided?; concern for children accessing the primary school; need to consider accumulative traffic flows during peak times; had a Construction Management Plan and Traffic Impact Study been provided?;  ...  view the full minutes text for item 257.