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 28 January 2015.

PART 2

Applications for which PERMISSION is recommended

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

The Area Planning Officer drew attention to pages 114 and 115 of the report and advised that amended plans were awaited to show additional parking bays along the access road.  He advised that the views of Kent County Council Highways were awaited.

The Area Planning Officer reported that the neighbouring parish of Bobbing had not been consulted on the scheme.  He advised that they had now been consulted, and delegation was sought to approve the application subject to the views of KCC Highways and Head of Service Delivery before the 18 February 2015 and no fresh issues being raised by Bobbing Parish Council in any representation they may wish to make.

A Member considered that vehicle barriers should be provided to prevent fly-tipping and improve security.  He also considered that the provision of security lighting should be included as a condition.

The Area Planning Officer agreed to include the request for installation of vehicle barriers with the applicant.  He drew attention to condition (12) which dealt with security lighting. 

In response to a query, the Area Planning Officer agreed to ensure that the applicant noted the recommendations of the Kent Police Crime Prevention Design Advisor and that they were implemented.

Resolved:  That application 14/505771 be delegated to officers to approve, subject to conditions (1) to (16) in the report, discuss with the applicant the possibility of providing a vehicle barrier, the receipt of amended plans in relation to additional parking bays along the access road, the views of KCC Highways, Head of Service Delivery and Bobbing Parish Council and to no fresh issues being raised in any representations they may wish to make by 18 February 2015.

The Major Projects Officer drew attention to pages 119 and 123 of the report and that the closing date for representations was 2 February 2015.

The Major Projects Officer sought delegated to approve the application subject to no substantive fresh issues being received.

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

Mrs Mollart, the Agent, spoke in support of the application.

A Ward Member stressed the importance of ensuring that conditions (6) and (8) were complied with.

Councillor Mike Henderson moved the following amendment: That conditions (5) and (6) be amended to read: ‘….before 0800 and after 2200 on Sundays and Bank Holidays.’  This was seconded by Councillor Tony Winckless.  On being put to the vote the amendment was agreed.

In response to a query about the health and safety implications of switching off  reversing beepers, the Environmental Health Officer reported that it was common practice for operators to use banks man to assist with manoeuvring of reversing vehicles.

The Senior Lawyer (Planning) advised that there was no legal requirement to have reversing beepers on vehicles. 

In response to a query about the quality of the acoustic fence proposed, the Environmental Health Officer advised that it would be built to the standards outlined in the report.   

Resolved:  That application SW/14/503850 be approved subject to conditions (1) to (8) in the report and to no substantive fresh issues being raised by 2 February 2015, with conditions (5) and (6) amended to reduce delivery hours on Sundays and Bank Holidays and condition (8) amended to require submission and approval of details of the acoustic fence.

The Area Planning Officer sought delegation to add two conditions relating to the approved plans and the retention of parking at the site.

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

Colonel Yerburgh, a supporter, spoke in support of the proposal.

Resolved:  That application 14/500234 be delegated to officers to approve subject to conditions (1) and (2) in the report and the imposition of two further conditions relating to the approved plans and the retention of parking at the site.

The Area Planning Officer reported that Natural England raised no objection.  He advised that Iwade Parish Council had submitted further comments, objecting to the application which he outlined for Members.

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

The Ward Member spoke in support of the application.  He considered the replacement dwelling and garage would not be obtrusive and was well hidden.  It would also be an improvement on the existing dwelling.

In response to a query about reducing the height of the roof, the Area Planning Officer drew attention to condition (5) which would ensure that the applicants were not able to use the roofspace of the dwelling and garage as living accommodation.

Resolved:  That application 14/504785 be approved subject to conditions (1) to (9) in the report.

PART 3

Applications for which REFUSAL is recommended

This item was withdrawn from the agenda.

PART 5

Decisions by County Council and Secretary of State, reported for information

·               Item 5.1 – Orchard Plan, Ashford Road, Badlesmere, Faversham, ME13 0NU

Appeal Allowed.

·               Item 5.2 – 18 Bayford Road, Sittingbourne

Appeal dismissed, costs application against the Council refused.