PRESENT:  Councillors Adrian Crowther, Mike Henderson, Bryan Mulhern (Vice-Chairman in the Chair), Prescott and Tony Winckless.

OFFICERS PRESENT:   Peter Bell, Janet Dart, Martin Evans, Andrew Jeffers, Alun Millard and Andrew Spiers.

APOLOGIES: Councillors Barnicott, Mark Ellen, Sue Gent, Peter Marchington and Ben Stokes.

The Vice-Chairman (in the Chair for this meeting) welcomed the applicant, agents, and members of the public to the meeting.  He outlined the format that the site meeting would take and asked the Planning Officer to introduce the item.  Layout plans and drawings were displayed by the applicant’s agent.

The Planning Officer noted the site was located within the built-up area boundary of Faversham, just outside the town centre.  The site was located within the Faversham conservation area and was at present a vacant plot.  However, the site previously hosted a bungalow named ‘Mombasa’, which was granted conservation area consent for demolition in 2005.  The site was at present covered in sparse vegetation.  It fronted directly onto Whitstable Road, and was roughly rectangular in shape.  It was surrounded on three sides by existing structures; to the west was part of the adjacent retirement homes scheme, part of the complex of sheltered housing, and to the east was St Saviour’s Church, a grade II Listed ‘tin church’.  Previously permission had been granted for 3 terraced houses in 2007 but they were not built and that permission had since lapsed.

The proposal was for the construction of a trio of three bedroom houses.  They would front onto Whitstable Road, facing the park opposite.  The houses would be on three floors, with gables, thus making them two and a half storeys in height.  Each property would be served by a private garden, and there would be off-road parking for five cars in total.  Vehicle access would be from the rear of the site, via Cyprus Road.  The parking area would be screened from Whitstable Road by landscaping and a wall.

The Planning Officer advised there have been 4 letters of objection and summarised the objections.  Faversham Town Council recommended refusal, stating that the proposals were out of scale with the neighbouring buildings.  The County Archaeologist and Environment Agency had no objections.  In summary, the officers considered the proposals were in accordance with national and local planning policy.

Mr Brouard, the Agent, pointed out a number of different styles and heights of buildings that would fit in with Faversham’s architecture, and that the proposals demonstrated economic and environmental viability.  The tree provided a visual gap between the church and the development.  The materials  to be used were of a high standard.

Local residents were then invited to speak.  A resident advised that the road had been laid against the foundation of the church and was concerned the vibration may make it fall in and that it also caused damp.  He drew attention to the current problems with neighbours from Church House which cared for vulnerable people.  There was often noise and the police and other emergency services were often called out.  He had concerns about Cyprus Road being the only access.

Another resident referred to his property which was a ground floor flat on the boundary of the site.  If the houses were built he stated that he would lose 5 hours of sun a day, currently he gets sun all day.  Additionally there will be 5 windows overlooking his property.

The Conservation Officer supported the proposed plans which reinforced the character of the conservation area.  He showed pictures of a similar development in Stone Street with gables, which he considered were a good design.

Members were then invited to speak and ask any questions.  A Member asked about the plans that were submitted in 2007 and how they were different to this proposal.  The Planning Officer advised they were three terraced houses with a smaller floor plan.

A Member asked why the proposed houses were sited at the front of the land and why they could not be set further back to allow for parking in front.  The Agent advised it was a busy road and the creation of accesses onto it would be undesirable and require turning areas.  He was also keen to continue the building line with the adjacent properties.  The KCC Highways Officer agreed that turning provision would be needed and that visibility for road users turning on and off the site was important.

The Vice-Chairman asked if access via Whitstable Road could be considered.  The KCC Highways Officer stated it would need to be provided with appropriate sightlines to be acceptable.  The Conservation Officer expressed concern over the impact that the sightlines might have to the streetscene.

Members then toured the site with Officers and the agent, also inspecting the rear of the site via the Cyprus Road access.