Resolved:

(1)          That Councillor Cameron Beart be elected Chairman for these Meetings.

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 – (2.4) 18/504824/FULL 16 Hawthorn Road, Sittingbourne, ME10 1BB

11.30am – (2.2) 18/504307/FULL Land rear of 343 Minster Road, Minster, ME12 3NR

12.00pm – (2.3) 18/503678/FULL 344 Minster Road, Minster, ME12 3PE.

PRESENT:  Councillors Cameron Beart (Chairman), Richard Darby, Mike Dendor, James Hall and Ghlin Whelan.

OFFICERS PRESENT:   Philippa Davies, Megan Harris and Ross McCardle.

APOLOGIES: Councillors Andy Booth, James Hunt, Ken Ingleton, Bryan Mulhern and Prescott.

The Chairman welcomed the Applicant, the Applicant’s Agent, and members of the public to the meeting.

The Senior Planner introduced the application which sought planning permission for the change of use of part of the shop to provide a one-bedroom flat.  There would be minimal external works, which would include the installation of windows to the rear elevation.  A new wall would be installed within the building to separate the flat from the shop.  The flat would be set out with one bedroom, an ensuite and a small kitchen/lounge.  Access to the new flat would be from within the shop or from Arthur Street, via an existing side entrance.

The Senior Planner reported that five letters of objection had been received, raising issues as set out in the report.  He explained that the building was within the built-up area, there were minimal external works, and the application was very different to the 2015 application, which had been refused.  The Senior Planner re-iterated that this application did not seek to extend the building.  He referred to overlooking issues which had been raised, but considered that this would not be an issue as the application was at ground floor level, and there was a two metre high fence bordering the site.

The Senior Planner reported that Kent County Council (KCC) Highways and Transportation raised no objection to the application.  Parking for the property was to the front of the building, which was already being used by the applicant who was going to occupy the flat.  He acknowledged the loss of part of the floor space of the shop, but considered this did not justify reasons for refusal.

The Applicant outlined the application and stated that there would be minimal alterations to the exterior, and that the size of the shop had become less viable, following the increase in retail competitors nearby.

The Applicant’s Agent sought clarification on why the application had been deferred for the Planning Working Group to consider.  The Chairman explained the process that had taken place at the Planning Committee on 6 December 2018, and that Planning Working Groups could be held for both minor and major applications.

Local residents raised the following points:

·        No objection to the change of use;

·        did not want to lose the railings or the parking space near the railings;

·        overlooking from the side access to opposite properties;

·        clarification was needed on the size of the proposed windows;

·        the side access walkway was very narrow and slippery, and the overflow dripped all the time;

·        assess to the property was not suitable;

·        there were anti-social behaviour problems at this location; and

·        issue with increased number of wheellie bins to the front of the property.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 411.

PRESENT:  Councillors Cameron Beart (Chairman), Richard Darby, Mike Dendor, James Hall, Mike Henderson, Ken Ingleton and Ghlin Whelan.

OFFICERS PRESENT:   Megan Harris, Ross McCardle and Jo Millard.

APOLOGIES: Councillors Andy Booth, James Hunt, Nigel Kay, Bryan Mulhern and Prescott.

The Chairman welcomed the Applicant, the Applicant’s Agent, and members of the public to the meeting.

The Senior Planner introduced the report which sought planning permission for the erection of two detached dwellings, with associated access and car parking and alterations to the existing access and parking for 343 Minster Road, Minster. He said that the proposed dwellings would measure 9m to ridge height and 5m to eaves with a footprint of approximately 11.5m by 11m as described in the report. He added that there was little visual impact and no significant increase in the volume of traffic in the proposal.  The Senior Planner advised that there had been 12 objections and no objection from any statutory consultees.

The Agent added that plans had been amended to address the previous concerns of KCC Highways and Transportation.

KCC Highways and Transportation advised that there was no objection to the proposal as the necessary off-street parking, visibility sightlines and turning facilities were provided and there was no evidence of accidents from crash data.

Minster-on-Sea Parish Council raised no objection and said that the amendments were an improvement over the historic proposals for the site.

Local residents raised the following points:

·        Overlooking between existing and proposed dwellings;

·        sought clarification on the visibility splays;

·        boundary hedge was not owned by the applicants;

·        safety concerns over the proposed new access road;

·        impact of light;

·        concerns over drainage due to topography of the land, and considered soakaways inadequate in the area;

·        suggested chalet bungalows or moving the position of the proposed houses would reduce overlooking;

·        style and design of proposed houses was not in keeping with properties at rear;

·        properties were too close to the boundary;

·        possible security issues for other properties in the area from new access road;

·        noise and air pollution issues;

·        what had changed since the previous application was refused at appeal? and

·        concern that further housing proposals on the land would be forthcoming.

Members viewed the application site with officers.

PRESENT:  Councillors Cameron Beart (Chairman), Richard Darby, Mike Dendor, James Hall, Mike Henderson, Ken Ingleton and Ghlin Whelan.

OFFICERS PRESENT:   Megan Harris, Ross McCardle and Jo Millard.

APOLOGIES: Councillors Andy Booth, James Hunt, Nigel Kay, Bryan Mulhern and Prescott.

The Planner introduced the report which sought planning permission for the erection of one detached 2-bedroom chalet bungalow measuring 13m x 8m with an eaves height of 2.8m and maximum height of 7m on land to the rear gardens of 344 and 346 Minster Road, Minster.  She advised there were 7 objections, from 4 properties, summarised in the report that went to Planning Committee on 6 December 2018.  The Planner drew attention that one parking space was included on the drawings, but 2 spaces were available.  She highlighted that whilst there would be a reduction in garden space in length at No. 344 and 346 Minster Road, the garden’s width provided adequate garden space at the existing properties and there was minimal overlooking from the proposed bungalow.

The Applicant addressed the objections received.  She said that there would be more privacy if the bungalow was built, as currently the bedroom windows of 344 and 346 Minster Road looked into the rear of properties in Glenwood Drive and Saxon Avenue.  She referred to previous complaints received from a neighbour about the height of conifer trees at the bottom of the garden and advised that these would be removed as part of the development. 

The Applicant confirmed that the dormer windows would be obscured glazed and that a dropped kerb was already in-situ to access the parking space.  She referred to drainage issues and new development in the area and confirmed that the bungalow was 330m² in total.

Local residents voiced their concerns over drainage, overlooking and noise from the proposed development.

In response to a question from a local resident, the applicant confirmed that the property would be a private dwelling.

In response to questions from Members, it was clarified by the Agent that whilst there was room for 2 parking spaces, only one was shown on the plans and that the obscured glazed dormer window would only be opening above 1.7m from the internal floor level.

Members viewed the application site with officers.