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 – (2.10) 18/503259/FULL Land at Old Billet Lane, Eastchurch, Isle of Sheppey, Kent, ME12 4JJ.

The Vice-Chairman in-the-Chair welcomed the applicants, representative of Eastchurch Parish Council, two Ward Members and members of the public to the meeting.

The Senior Planner introduced the application which sought planning permission for a material change of use of land, from a garden to a residential caravan site for stationing of caravans with residential occupation and associated development (hardstanding, utility building and cesspit) on land at Old Billet Lane, Eastchurch, Isle of Sheppey, Kent. 

The Senior Planner explained the application site measured 35 metres x 12 metres and was formerly part of a detached garden.  In 1979 permission was granted for the erection of a stable block and garage.  The Senior Planner advised that the stable block would be moved to the rear of the site, and three parking spaces would be provided at the front of the site.  The proposed utility room would measure 3 metres x 4 metres x 3.5 metres high, with a pitched roof.

The Senior Planner reported that six letters of objection from local residents had been received, and that Eastchurch Parish Council had raised objections to the application.  The site was approximately one mile from the village of Eastchurch.  The application was supported by National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) guidance.

Mr Ivor Gough, representing Eastchurch Parish Council, referred to the Parish Council’s objections, as outlined in the Planning Committee report.

In response to a query from a Member, the Senior Planner confirmed that currently there was no planning permission for the static caravan.

Local residents raised the following points: the application was impracticable; had been assured when first moved to the area that the site would not be built on; the site was too small for the proposal; no infrastructure; residents had been informed that the applicants had a sick child, how would an ambulance be able to access the site?; concerned that the applicant would not use their cesspit when built; local footpath would be lost; would the stables be bigger or smaller?; letter from the applicants had implied that all three families would be living there at the same time; the address had incorrectly been given on the Council’s website as “Brambles”, which was further down the lane, this had given the impression that the application was just an addition to that site; 4 Coastguard Cottages, were as stated in the officer’s committee report “small”, the size of the static caravan would dominate the area, this was against the Council’s policy; overlooking of gardens; there were no parking areas; had not raised concerns about ground water problems, but potential smells if the cesspit was not built; there were no pathways or street lighting at the site; Plough Road was a busy, fast road and the national speed limit applied; the current drainage system was inadequate and sometimes led to flooding and odour outside Coastguard Cottages; concern that the applicants would throw waste into adjoining gardens; local residents maintained the track to the site; access along the track was not wide  ...  view the full minutes text for item 352.