The Chairman will advise the meeting of the evacuation procedures to follow in the event of an emergency. This is particularly important for visitors and members of the public who will be unfamiliar with the building and procedures.

The Chairman will inform the meeting whether there is a planned evacuation drill due to take place, what the alarm sounds like (i.e. ringing bells), where the closest emergency exit route is, and where the second closest emergency exit route is, in the event that the closest exit or route is blocked.

The Chairman will inform the meeting that:

(a) in the event of the alarm sounding, everybody must leave the building via the nearest safe available exit and gather at the Assembly points at the far side of the Car Park.  Nobody must leave the assembly point until everybody can be accounted for and nobody must return to the building until the Chairman has informed them that it is safe to do so; and

(b) the lifts must not be used in the event of an evacuation.

Any officers present at the meeting will aid with the evacuation.

It is important that the Chairman is informed of any person attending who is disabled or unable to use the stairs, so that suitable arrangements may be made in the event of an emergency.

The Chairman ensured that those present at the meeting were aware of the emergency evacuation procedure.

To approve the Minutes of the Meeting held on 19 July 2018  (Minute Nos. 67 - 72) as a correct record.

Link to Minutes

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 19 July 2018 (Minute Nos. 67 - 72) were taken as read, approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

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.

During the discussion on the deferred item 17/500727/OUT, Councillor Baldock declared a non-pecuniary interest as he sat on Borden Parish Council but had taken no part in the discussion at their Parish Council meeting.

To consider the following application:

17/500727/OUT – Manor Farm, Key Street, Sittingbourne

Members of the public are advised to confirm with Planning Services prior to the meeting that the applications will be considered at this meeting.

Requests to speak on these items must be registered with Democratic Services (democraticservices@swale.gov.uk or call us on 01795 417328) by noon on Wednesday 15 August 2018.

Reports shown in previous Minutes as being deferred from that Meeting.

The Major Projects Officer drew attention to the tabled update.

The Chairman moved the officer recommendation to delegate approval of the application to officers and this was seconded.

Parish Councillor Clive Simms, representing Borden Parish Council, spoke against the application.

The Environmental Protection Team Leader advised that air quality levels in Swale were measured against Government standards in locations where traffic flows were highest, and Swale already monitored air quality more than any other authority in Kent.  He added that extra monitoring was taking place in and around the proposed site, but at least 12 months monitoring data would be needed before knowing what the levels were in this vicinity.  The Environmental Protection Team Leader drew attention that that the equipment used by Borden Parish Council in their air quality measuring was not certified and that the monitoring periods used were too short to be accurate and comparable with that carried out by the Council.

A Member congratulated Borden Parish Council for the work carried out on air quality monitoring and said that it was premature to make a decision on the application until the air quality data for the area of the proposed site was collected.  

In the debate that followed Members raised the following points:

·         Concern about vehicles parking along Chestnut Street, Borden affecting the sight lines to the entrance of the proposed development;

·         would the improvements to Key Street roundabout alter the layout and traffic flows?;

·         the full Air Quality report submitted by Borden Parish Council should have been considered;

·         the plans did not reflect the route of the footpath;

·         the Ecological survey was inadequate as there was a large badger sett and a colony of doormice on land in the vicinity of the application site;

·         an Archaeological survey was required

·         the site did not integrate in the urban area and the levels of affordable housing proposed should be increased to 30%, as it was for rural housing development;

·         proper screening of the site by mature trees should be provided;

·         suggested Section 106 payments for roadworks were sought in advance of the commencement of the development; and

·         concern about a possible appeal against the non-determination of the application and a possible costs application alongside the appeal.

The Principal Transport and Development Planner (Kent County Council – Highways and Transportation), advised that the proportion of the contribution sought from the development was more than had been sought from developments already granted and would be combined with the money from the Housing Infrastructure Fund bid.  The funding would allow for an interim  ...  view the full minutes text for item 182.

To consider the attached report (Parts 2, 3 and 5).

The Council operates a scheme of public speaking at meetings of the Planning Committee.  All applications on which the public has registered to speak will be taken first.  Requests to speak at the meeting must be registered with Democratic Services (democraticservices@swale.gov.uk or call 01795 417328) by noon on Wednesday 15 August 2018.

Tabled Papers for the Deferred Item and Items 2.4, 2.5, and 2.6 were published on Friday 10 August 2018.

PART 2

Applications for which PERMISSION is recommended

The Senior Planner advised that Hartlip Parish Council were unable to send a speaker but maintained their objection to the scheme.  He added that the stables were 15m east and the manure stable east, not north as stated in the report at 2.02 on page 45 of the Agenda. 

The Senior Planner drew Members’ attention that the new brick walls and gates that had recently been erected at the site were not part of this application, were unacceptable and negotiations for their removal were on-going.

 The Chairman moved the officer recommendation to approve the application and this was seconded.

A Member requested that the planning history stated on reports be in date order, most recent first.  In response to a question from a Member on the use of the car park for a private livery, the Senior Planner highlighted condition (6) and advised an amended drawing would be sought.

Resolved:  That application 17/500807/FULL be approved subject to conditions (1) to (10) in the report and amended drawings restricting the car park to a private livery use only.

Mr Aaron Holmes, the applicant, spoke in support of the application.

The Chairman moved the officer recommendation to approve the application and this was seconded.

The Senior Planner advised Members that the applicant had offered to convert the rest of his garden to provide parking.  A Member requested that this suggestion be included in the decision notice.

Resolved:  That application 18/502420/FULL be approved subject to conditions (1) to (2) in the report.

The Chairman moved the officer recommendation to approve the application and this was seconded.

Resolved:  That Prior Approval 18/501918/AGRREQ be granted.

Richard Higgins, an objector, spoke against the application.

John Collins, agent for the applicant, spoke in support of the application.

The Chairman moved the officer recommendation to approve  ...  view the full minutes text for item 183.