To consider the attached report (Sections 2 and 3).

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 11 March 2015.

Application 3.2 (Standard Quay) has been withdrawn from the agenda.

PART 2

Applications for which PERMISSION is recommended

The Planning Officer sought delegation to approve subject to no fresh issues being received by the 27 March 2015 deadline.

Mr Eric Gunn, the Applicant, spoke in support of the application.

In response to a request for more details on the setting, the Conservation Officer provided information about the property.  He explained that it was within Faversham Conservation Area and it was also constrained by an Article 4 directive.  Residents would have been advised of this when the property was purchased, through the Land Registry.  He explained that the building was part of a very characterful group of buildings, and the alterations that had been carried out would have required planning permission, whether the property was in a Conservation Area or not.  The Conservation Officer outlined the special features of the property, and explained that it was quite damaging to make the alterations that had been carried out.  He advised that officers had met with the applicant and agreed a compromise which included taking the render off the front of the building, but keeping it on the side and rear.

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

Resolved:  That 14/505564/FULL be delegated to officers to approve subject to no fresh issues being received by the  27 March 2015 deadline and to conditions (1) to (3) in the report.

The Major Projects Officer sought delegation to add an extra condition regarding proposed finished floor levels.

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

A Member considered affordable housing should be included in the development.

Resolved:  That 14/502582/FULL be delegated to officers to approve subject to conditions (1) to (23) in the report, and the additional condition in respect of finished floor levels.

The Planning Officer reported that a letter had been received from the Agent responding to some of the concerns raised by neighbouring residents.  The Agent had explained that frosted glass with limited opening on the Roman Road side would be installed to address any overlooking; and access rights had been checked which allowed the right to pass and repass over the roadway to Stone Street.  The Planning Officer advised that wording on conditions (7) and (9) should include ‘to be submitted and approved in writing’.

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

Councillor Bryan Mulhern moved a motion for a site meeting.  This was seconded by Councillor Andy Booth.  On being put to the vote, the motion was agreed.

Resolved:  That 14/502582/FULL be deferred to allow the Planning Working Group to meet on site.

The Area Planning Officer reported that comments had been received from Network Rail and they raised no objection.  They had suggested an Informative in relation to the developer consulting with Network Rail’s Asset Protection to assess the operational risks during construction.

Delegation was sought to approve the application subject  to the addition of the Informative and an additional condition relating to plan numbers.

Mr Richard Lunniss, an objector, spoke against the application.

A Ward Member raised concern with the intrusive scale of the proposal, the low fence line and the impact on the neighbouring property.

Councillor Sylvia Bennett moved a motion for a site meeting.  This was seconded by Councillor Andy Booth.

Resolved: That application 14/505351/FULL be deferred to allow the Planning Working Group to meet on site.

The Area Planning Officer reported that the Applicant had submitted a Flood Risk Assessment and recommended an Informative requesting that the occupiers of the building signed up to the Environment Agency’s (EA) flood warning service.  The Environmental Health Manager raised no objection to the application; they were aware of previous complaints in relation to the existing use, but did not consider there would be an issue with the proposed use.  A condition was suggested to require further details of extraction/ventilation system.

The Area Planning Officer reported that KCC Highways raised no objection to the application.  There would be 16 parking spaces, and although this was less than the maximum 24, the site was in the town centre where parking was also available.

Delegation was sought subject to no fresh issues being raised by the 13 March 2015 deadline and to the addition of a condition requiring details of any extraction system to be submitted, and to the Informative requested by the EA.

Mr Barham, the Applicant, spoke in support of the application.

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

A Member suggested a smoking area be designated to contain any problems of noise and disturbance.

Councillor Mike Henderson moved the following addendum:  That condition (6) be amended to read ‘….purpose of a further education college ‘and training centre’….’. 

This was seconded by Councillor Barnicott.

Resolved:  That application 15/500547/FULL be delegated to officers to approve subject to no fresh issues being raised by the 13 March 2015 deadline and to the addition of a condition requiring details of any extraction system to be submitted, the Informative requested by the EA, the inclusion of the wording ‘and training centre’ in condition (6) and toconditions (1) to (6) in the report.

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

Resolved: That application 14/506753/ADV be approved subject to conditions (1) to (8) in the report.

The Area Planning Officer referred to the email sent to Members from Councillor Alan Willicombe.  He advised that conditions (5) and (7) needed to be amended to refer to approval in writing from the Local Planning Authority.

Mr John Lawrence, an objector, spoke against the application.

Mr David Tindall, the Agent, spoke in support of the application.

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

Councillor Sylvia Bennett moved a motion for a site meeting.  This was seconded by Councillor Bryan Mulhern.

Members raised the following points:  the proposed property was too large; it had been ‘squeezed’ onto the site; it was not in keeping with the surrounding area; drainage was already a problem; and a site meeting was not necessary as the details could be seen on the plans.

Resolved: That application 14/505472/FULL be deferred to allow the Planning Working Group to meet on site.

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

Ward Members supported development of the site and raised the following points: affordable housing should be included in the application; and there were parking and speeding issues on Attlee Way.

In response to a question, the KCC Highways Officer confirmed that there was provision for parking for the houses facing Attlee Way, there was also a lay-by and a chicane opposite Wyvern Close to slow vehicles down.

Resolved:  That application 14/500569/REM be approved subject to conditions (1) to (6) in the report.

The Area Planning Officer reported that amended plans had been received which showed an obscure glazed window to the flank elevation of unit one and a relocated window to unit eight to address any potential overlooking; further details of the bin and cycle storage; one bin store had been moved closer to the front of the site and one had been removed, following comments from KCC Highways.

Delegation was sought to add additional conditions requiring construction details of roof eaves, verges and bargeboards; details of dormer windows, rooflights and porch roofs, the construction of a sample panel of brickwork and removal of permitted development rights.  Conditions (12), (13), (15) and (22) needed to be amended to refer to approval in writing from the Local Planning Authority.

Mr Turcan, a supporter, spoke in support of the application.

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

Ward Members made the following comments:  site had been an eyesore; needed to be aware that site was next to Conservation Area, development needed to be sensitive and complement the area; 117 High Street needed to retain their access; the access slope was not fit for purpose; egress safety issues onto the High Street; clarification was needed on the bin store; safety issues on the current entrance; concerned with the density of the development; and welcomed development of the site.

The Area Planning Officer advised that the proposed bin storage area was now located sufficiently close to the High Street that operatives would take and return the bins.  In response to a question, the Area Planning Officer confirmed that native species were included in condition (1) in the report.

Councillor Tony Winckless moved a motion for a site meeting.  This was seconded by Councillor Prescott.  On being put to the vote the motion was lost.

Resolved:  That application SW/14/0563 be delegated to officers to approve subject to the  addition of conditions requiring construction details of roof eaves, verges and bargeboards; details of dormer windows, rooflights and porch roofs, the construction of a sample panel of brickwork and removal of permitted development rights.  Conditions (12), (13), (15) and (22) needed to be amended to refer to approval in writing from the Local Planning Authority and to conditions (1) to (25) in the report.

The Area Planning Officer advised that there was an error on condition (1) on page 99 of the report; it should read: ‘…..must be begun not later than…..’.

Mr Richard Shipman, an objector, spoke against the application.

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

Councillor Adrian Crowther moved a motion for a site meeting.  This was seconded by Councillor Mike Henderson. On being put to the vote the motion was agreed.

Resolved:  That application 14/502557/FULL be deferred to allow the Planning Working Group to meet on site.

PART 3

Applications for which REFUSAL is recommended

The Planning Officer reported that an additional letter had been received from an owner of one of the caravans which set out that as all the services were in place, similar to a domestic property, 12-month occupancy could take place.

Mr Jeff Tutt, representing Dunkirk Parish Council, spoke in support of the application.

Mr Laister, a supporter, spoke in support of the application.

Members raised the following points:  support officers’ recommendation; do not agree with holiday parks having 12-month occupancy; it would set a precedence; some residents saw this as their main residence; and this would go against policy if approved.

Resolved:  That application 14/506434/FULL be refused for the reasons set out in the report.

This application was withdrawn from the agenda.