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 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.

10am – 2.1 16/503079/FULL 31 Galena Close, Sittingbourne ME10 5LB

The Chairman welcomed the applicant, the applicant’s agent and a representative from Bobbing Parish Council to the meeting.

The Area Planning Officer introduced the application which was for the removal of the main roof and construction of a dual-pitched roof to convert the loft into a habitable room and to extend the existing garage roof over the front door, and a first floor extension.  The Area Planning Officer reported that the proposal would alter the height and design of the existing roof to a dual pitch at 45 degrees, and the ridge height would be increased by 1.7 metres, to a height of 9.3 metres.  An open porch would be constructed at the front, together with a first floor extension which would sit flush with the existing front wall of the house.  There would be two velux rooflights and one dormer window with a pitched roof at the front.  To the rear, there would be two pitched roof dormer windows.

The Area Planning Officer reported that two letters of objection had been received from local residents, and Bobbing Parish Council had objected to the application.  The comments were outlined in the report.  The Area Planning Officer stated that the proposal was in proportion, with appropriate scale and design, and he considered the alterations to be acceptable.  It would still appear as a two-storey dwelling.  He explained that the street was a mix of dwelling types and the alterations had an acceptable impact, it was not out of keeping with the surrounding area and did not harm visual amenity.  In response to local concerns that the application would cause overlooking and loss of privacy, the Area Planning Officer explained that the distance between the properties was in excess of the normal distance required.  He noted that the garage at No.33 helped to screen the views from the dormer windows, and stated that the application would not significantly increase any overlooking that was currently experienced.  The Area Planning Officer advised that the two car parking spaces at the property were in line with the Kent County Council Highways and Transportation standards, for a dwelling with five bedrooms.

The Applicant considered the views from the dormer windows to the rear, being further in from the line of the building, resulted in minimal privacy issues.

The representative from Bobbing Parish Council spoke in objection to the application and raised concern with overlooking and privacy issues due to the proposed height.

The Ward Member raised concern with the height of the proposed alterations.

The Applicant advised that he might change the extent of the alterations to the front of the property.  The Area Planning Officer advised that this would require amended drawings.

Members toured the site and adjoining properties with the officer.