To consider the following applications:

Def Item 1 – 21/504571/FULL Greystone, Bannister Hill, Borden

Tabled Papers added 8 December 2021.

Additional Information which might be referred to added 8 December 2021.

Def Item 2 – 21/501740/FULL Hill Farm, Rook Lane, Keycol Hill, Bobbing

Additional Information which might be referred to added 8 December 2021.

Members of the public are advised to confirm with Planning Services prior to the meeting that the applications will be considered at this meeting.

Requests to speak on these items must be registered with Democratic Services (democraticservices@swale.gov.uk or call us on 01795 417328) by noon on Wednesday 8 December 2021.

Reports shown in previous Minutes as being deferred from that Meeting

This item was withdrawn from the agenda and the above application was considered under the Planning Working Group.

The Senior Planning Officer introduced the application which had previously been considered by the Planning Committee in October 2021.  She explained that it was an enabling development to fund Demelza House hospice facilities.  The current application included revised developer contributions, with greater Section 106 contributions, additional housing and significant highway improvements.  The Senior Planning Officer referred to paragraphs 3.22 to 3.27 of the report which outlined the benefits for the hospice.

Mr Andrew Wilford, the Agent, spoke in support of the application.

The Chairman moved the officer recommendation to approve the application and this was seconded by Councillor Ben J Martin.

A visiting Ward Member spoke against the application.

In the debate that followed, Members raised the following points:

·         Welcomed the work carried out by the developer and officers which resulted in increased Section 106 Agreement contributions;

·         disappointed with the lack of affordable housing on the site;

·         this was over-intensive development and did not consider the site was large enough for 30 dwellings;

·         the design of the housing was poor;

·         concerned that the 2018 permission had commenced, despite viability arguments;

·         three of the nurse units could be considered as affordable housing as key worker accommodation;

·         welcomed the junction improvements;

·         the air quality issues had now been addressed;

·         the enabling aspect of the application outweighed the lack of affordable housing;

·         the viability assessment indicated that affordable housing would not have been delivered; and

·         the design was much better now.

A Member sought clarification on the 5-year housing supply and the Head of Planning Services advised that it was not currently possible to give a precise figure, but it was hoped this could be given before Christmas this year.

On being put to the vote, Councillor Mike Baldock requested that it be recorded that he voted against the application.

Resolved:  That application 21/501740/FULL be approved subject to conditions (1) to (44) in the report and the completion of a suitably-worded Section 106 legal agreement, and with authority to amend the wording of the legal agreement and the planning conditions as reasonably required.