To approve the Minutes of the Meeting held on 2 March 2015 (Minute Nos. to follow).

1.    14/503846 - 349-355 Leysdown Road, Leysdown, ME12 4AS

2.    SW/14/0423 – R/o 124 Chaffes Lane, Upchurch, ME9 7BG

3.    14/505307 – Mombasa, Whitstable Road,  Faversham, ME13 8BD

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 2 March 2015 (Minute Nos. 518 – 521) were taken as read, approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record, subject to including Councillor Andy Booth’s apologies.

14/503846 (2.2) – 349 – 355 Leysdown Road, Leysdown

The Major Projects Officer reported that since the Planning Working Group met on site, two further letters of objection had been received.  Further comments, not included in the report were outlined as follows:  the proposal would overlook rear gardens and properties to the north; the type of properties was wrong for the area as there were no play facilities for children; the development was too dense; the area lacked amenities, and travel by car was required for every day activities; why did Moat Housing consider affordable housing appropriate for the area?; future residents would suffer from isolation and it would become a catalyst for social problems; affordable housing should be more centrally located; there was a lack of parking, double yellow lines and on-street parking bays should be introduced; the bus stop should be moved closer to the site; and the site used to have a 6 foot fence around it, this should be restored.

The Major Projects Officer also reported that a further neutral letter had been received which referred to three fuel tanks on the site and whether they had been removed from the site.  He drew Members’ attention to a letter received from the Agent which was tabled.

The Major Projects Officer considered the development to be acceptable and recommended that permission be granted, subject to the conditions set out on page 32 to 36 on the 19 February 2015 Planning Committee agenda, to also include the signing of a suitably worded Section 106 Agreement.

The Chairman moved the officer recommendation for approval and this was seconded.

Members raised the following points:  this was over development; out-of-keeping with the other properties in the area; disagreed with the views of Kent County Council (KCC) Highways, with regard to the bend in the road and no parking facilities; there were no work prospects nearby; limited bus service, and the Section 106 would not address these issues; Swale needed affordable housing sites, not all of them needed to be within town centres; this was a good scheme; there would be less traffic generated by this use than the previous use of the site; the site as it stood was an eyesore; this would enhance the area; concerned with the 40mph speed limit, ideally this should be reduced to 30mph; speed along this stretch of road was an issue; and  traffic calming measures should be considered.

In response to the comments on highway matters, the KCC Highways Officer explained that the proposed use would generate less traffic than the site’s previous use.  He explained that a review on speed throughout Swale had been undertaken and this area did not allude to having a 30mph speed restriction.  Any calming measures would need to be self-enforcing, and part of a larger scheme, and this could not be included within this application.

Members made further comments which included:  something was needed to improve the site, but concerned about the distance to amenities; laybys should be added to stop parking on the street; and to alleviate parking on the main road, KCC Highways, post construction of the development, should look into restricting parking on the road.

The Chairman suggested that KCC Highways be asked to look at the concerns that Members had with the on-road car parking issues, as set out above; this was agreed by Members.

Resolved:  That application 14/503846 be approved subject to conditions (1) to (25) in the report and the signing of a suitably worded Section 106 Agreement.  Members also requested that KCC Highways be advised of Members’ on-road car parking  concerns and this be reviewed once the development had been completed.

SW/14/0423 (2.1) – r/o 124 Chaffes Lane, Upchurch

The Area Planning Officer reminded Members that as reported at the meeting on 19 February 2015, that condition (8) be amended to included reference to the planting of indigenous species.

The Chairman moved the officer recommendation for approval and this was seconded.

Resolved:  That application SW/14/0423 be approved subject to conditions (1) to (10) in the report, with condition (8) amended to include reference to the planting of indigenous species.

14/505307 (2.7) – Mombasa, Whitstable Road, Faversham

The Planning Officer provided an overview of a letter received from the Agent, which had also been forwarded to Members.

The Conservation Officer explained that the area was mix of dwelling styles; he considered the three-storey gabled properties added interest to the area, and it was a good, high quality design.

A Ward Member explained that he welcomed development of the site and he had ‘warmed’ to the three-storey gable design.  He had concerns with the access, but acknowledged that this had already been approved.  He suggested improved signage at Cyprus Road.

The Chairman moved the officer recommendation for approval and this was seconded.

Resolved:  That application 14/505307 be approved subject to conditions (1) to (24) in the report.