Agenda and minutes

Venue: Swale House, East Street, Sittingbourne, Kent, ME10 3HT

Contact: Democratic Services, 01795 417330 

Items
No. Item

Audio Recording

391.

Emergency Evacuation Procedure

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.

 

Minutes:

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

392.

Declarations of Interest

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.

 

Minutes:

Councillor Peter Marchington declared a non-pecuniary interest in respect of item 6.1 Land west of Barton Hill Drive, Minster as he traded with Attwood Farms.  He did not take part in the discussion or vote on this item.

393.

Planning Working Group pdf icon PDF 46 KB

To consider application 19/501921/FULL, Land at Belgrave Road, Halfway ME12 3EE.

 

The report considered by Planning Committee  on 7 November 2019 and the Minutes of  the Planning Working Group agreed by Planning Committee on 5 December 2019 are attached for information.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

19/501921/FULL Land At Belgrave Road Halfway Kent ME12 3EE

 

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 25 November 2019 (Minute Nos. 372- 373) were taken as read, approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record, subject to the inclusion of Councillors Fowle and Neale in attendance at the meeting, at the Planning Committee held on 5 December 2019.

 

The Senior Planner referred to the tabled updates which confirmed that the applicant had proposed that construction traffic could use an existing farm track to access the site and he clarified the off-site drainage issue.

 

The Chairman invited Members to ask questions.

 

A Member asked about the comments from Kent Police and whether the development would achieve ‘Secure by Design’ status.  The Senior Planner advised that although achieving ‘Secure by Design’ status was not a planning requirement, a number of the issues raised had been addressed due to further liaison between the developer and Kent Police. He added that condition (33) still required details of how the development would meet the principles of ‘Secure by Design’.

 

A Member referred to the tabled update and sought clarification on the construction traffic route and whether it was enforceable. The Senior Planner advised that a construction route from Queenborough Road that utilised an existing farm track was being proposed and this was considered to be permitted development.  The Senior Planner explained that the Council did not have the power to stop any vehicle using a highway if that vehicle had the right.

 

In response to a Member’s question, the Senior Planner explained that wheel washing was included as part of the requirements within condition (11) and the track would be upgraded.

 

In response to a Member’s question, the Senior Planner confirmed that approval was being sought to include the amended conditions.

 

A Member sought clarification on pedestrian and cycle access through Rosemary Avenue.   The Senior Planner explained that the existing Rosemary Avenue playing field currently had a fence around it, however the applicant had agreed to provide a contribution to remove the fence and provide a surface path to allow pedestrians and cyclists to access the site from the east.  He added that this would be included in the Section 106 Agreement, rather than via a condition.

 

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

 

Members were invited to debate the application and raised points which included:

 

·         the proposed road layout at the junction with Queenborough Road created a ‘kick’ in the road causing highway safety issues;

·         the area could not take any more increase in traffic; and

·         confusion around amendments to conditions.

 

Councillor Tim Valentine moved the following motion:

 

That, should the application be approved, the following energy efficiency condition be added:

 

The dwellings hereby approved shall be constructed and tested to achieve the following measures:

 

At least a 50% reduction in Dwelling Emission Rate compared to the target fabric energy efficiency rates as required under Part L1A of the Building Regulations 2013  ...  view the full minutes text for item 393.

394.

Schedule of Decisions pdf icon PDF 267 KB

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 Monday 16 December 2019.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

PART 2

 

Applications for which PERMISSION is recommended

 

2.1       REFERENCE NO -  19/505039/FULL

APPLICATION PROPOSAL

Conversion of the garage to a habitable space and addition of pitched roof to existing single

storey front extension. Extension to the front hard standing and extend the existing dropped

kerb.

ADDRESS86 Adelaide Drive, Sittingbourne, Kent ME10 1XU

WARD Homewood

PARISH/TOWN COUNCIL

APPLICANT Mr & Mrs Whelan

AGENT Nigel Sands and Associates

 

A Member sought clarification on the number of bedrooms and parking spaces at the property.

 

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

 

There was no debate.

 

Resolved:  That application 19/505039/FULL be approved subject to conditions (1) to (3) in the report.

 

2.2       REFERENCE NO -  19/505077FULL

APPLICATION PROPOSAL

Erection of a two storey side extension and single storey rear extension.

ADDRESS80 Norwood Walk West, Sittingbourne Kent ME10 1QF

WARD Borden and Grove

PARISH/TOWN COUNCIL

Bobbing

APPLICANT Mr P Farrell

AGENT CJS Design Services

 

There were no questions.

 

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

 

A Member commented that he understood the Parish Council’s concerns but there was sufficient land to extend the property.

 

Resolved:  That application 19/505077FULLbe approved subject to conditions (1) and (2) in the report.

 

2.3       REFERENCE NO -  19/504192/FULL

APPLICATION PROPOSAL

Conversion of existing rear extension to form one residential dwelling including raising of the

roof height. Creation of new access and parking area for the existing and proposed dwelling.

ADDRESS29 Upper Brents Faversham Kent ME13 7DP

WARD Priory

PARISH/TOWN COUNCIL

Faversham Town

APPLICANT Mr Robert Curtis

AGENT Nigel Sands and Associates

 

The Area Planning Officer drew attention to the required Strategic Access Management and Monitoring Scheme (SAMMS) payment and the response to Faversham Town Council’s objection at paragraph 7.5, page 15 of the report.

 

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

 

There was no debate.

 

Resolved: That application 19/504192/FULL be approved subject to conditions (1) to (6) in the report, and the receipt of a SAMMS contribution of £245.56.

 

2.4       REFERENCE NO -  19/502283/FULL

APPLICATION PROPOSAL

Erection of a block of 7 no. dwellings with parking, refuse and cycle store.

ADDRESSLand Adjacent To Crescent House Otterham Quay Lane Upchurch Kent ME8 7UY

WARD Hartlip, Newington and Upchurch

PARISH/TOWN COUNCIL

Upchurch

APPLICANT Heritage Designer Homes

AGENT  Mr Paul Fowler

 

Paul Fowler (Agent) spoke in support of the application.

 

The Chairman invited Members to ask questions.

 

In response to a Member’s request to add an energy efficiency condition, the Area Planning Officer said there were sometimes viability issues in smaller schemes.  The Area Planning Officer clarified that planning permission had already been granted for 5 units, KCC Highways and Transportation did not consider footway improvements to be necessary, and a delivery vehicle space was not achievable within the site.

 

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

 

In  ...  view the full minutes text for item 394.

395.

Exclusion of the Press and Public

Minutes:

Resolved:

(1) That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 5 and 7 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act:

5. Information in respect of which a claim to legal professional privilege could be maintained in legal proceedings.

7. Information relating to any action taken in connection with the prevention, investigation or prosecution of crime.

 

396.

Urgent Item - Schedule of Decisions

Minutes:

6.1 18/503135 – Land west of Barton Hill Drive, Minster

 

The Development Manager explained why the item was urgent and gave a summary of the issue.

 

Members supported the proposed action.

 

Resolved: 

 

(1)  That reason (3) of Planning Refusal Notice 18/503135 be removed.

397.

Adjournment of Meeting

Minutes:

The Meeting was adjourned from 7.32pm to 7.42pm.