To consider the attached report (Part 6).

6.1  61 Playstool Road, Newington

The Area Planning Officer introduced the report.

(1)      Resolved:  That an Enforcement Noticebe issued pursuant to the provisions of Section 172 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, as amended, requiring that the extension is demolished and all materials arising from the demolition are removed from the site within one year of the Notice taking effect.

(2)      That the Head of Planning Services and Head of Legal Services be authorised to prepare and serve the necessary documentation, including the precise wording thereof to give effect to this decision.

6.2  Land to East of Hawes Wood, Bobbing

The Area Planning Officer introduced the report.

Resolved: 

(1)      That an Enforcement Noticebe issued pursuant to the provisions of Section 172 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, as amended, requiring the use of the site as an animal sanctuary ceases; the residential use of the caravan ceases; and all the recently erected fencing within the site and along the frontage with the highway, together with the gates and posts, and all the structures, buildings and all materials arising from the demolition are removed from the site within one year of the Notice taking effect.

(2)      That the Head of Planning Services and Head of Legal Services be authorised to prepare and serve the necessary documentation, including the precise wording thereof to give effect to this decision.

6.3 Polytunnels sited on land at Brook Farm, Ospringe

The Development Manager introduced the report and responded to queries and points of clarification from Members.

Councillor Cameron Beart moved the following motion which was seconded by Councillor James Hunt:  That no action be taken.  On being put to the vote the motion was lost.

The Head of Development Services advised Members that if they wished to taken enforcement action a reason outlining the harm that the proposal may cause was required. 

Councillor Simon Clark moved the following motion which was seconded by Councillor Paul Stephen.  That enforcement action be taken and policies outlined in the report be included as reasons.  The Area Planning Officer stated that the reason needed to clearly outline the harm that would be caused.  The proposer and seconder withdrew the motion.

Councillor Elliot Jayes moved the following motion which was seconded by Councillor Lee McCall:  That the application be deferred to allow time for planning reasons to be provided so that enforcement action could be taken, and a virtual site meeting.  On being put to the vote the motion was lost.

Councillor Lee McCall moved the following motion which was seconded by Councillor Ben J Martin:  That enforcement action be taken for the following reason, the polytunnels that had been erected without planning permission were an unwelcome and intrusive development that was seriously harmful to the character and appearance of this rural area, to the natural beauty of the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), to the setting of the Whitehill conservation area, and to the settings of nearby listed buildings, contrary to policies ST7, DM14, DM24, DM32 and DM33 of Bearing Fruits: The Swale Borough Local Plan 2017, and to policies SD1, SD3, SD8 of the Kent Downs AONB Management Plan 2014 – 2019.  On being put to the vote the motion was agreed by Members.

Resolved: 

(1)      That an Enforcement Noticebe issued pursuant to the provisions of Section 172 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, as amended, requiring that the polytunnels be removed from the site within one year of the Notice taking effect.

(2)      That the Head of Planning Services and Head of Legal Services be authorised to prepare and serve the necessary documentation, including the precise wording thereof to give effect to this decision.