Tabled Update added 27.09.2022

The Interim Head of Planning introduced the report and explained that work on this SPD had been ongoing since 2020, and was now in the final stage of consultation.  She outlined the ways that the consultation had been advertised and said that 24 responses had been received which were recorded in Appendix I to the report.  Proposed amendments to the SPD following the Planning & Transportation Policy Working Group meeting on 20 September 2022 were tabled at the meeting.

Members raised comments and asked questions which included:

·         On page 22 of the agenda pack, Rodmersham should be referred to as Rodmersham Parish Council;

·         who had considered the ‘alternative options’ under paragraph 4 of the report?;

·         this was a very considerable piece of work by officers which had come out as being very balanced on all the aspects within the SPD;

·         considered more improvements needed to be made on St. Michael’s Road as it looked half finished;

·         the High Street needed to be joined to the north side of the town;

·         a footbridge was needed across the railway – realised this was within the gift of Network Rail, and this should be encouraged;

·         clarification was needed on the Council purchasing leases on shops and then renting them out; and

·         requested more detail on the proposed community corner in Central Avenue.

In response, the Interim Head of Planning advised that it was considered not an appropriate option to not to have an SPD and that having one helped with planning applications in town centres.  The Chief Executive further clarified that it was the report author who considered the alternative options.

The Vice-Chair explained that she had recently met with Network Rail who were due to publish their 30-year plan shortly and this included the link bridge between the town centre and Eurolink Business Park.  She considered it would be beneficial to include their plans within the SPD.  The Vice-Chair referred to the gateway map on page 78 of the report and suggested the site of the new link should be included within the boundary of the SPD, especially if there was a request for funding in the future.  In response, the Interim Head of Planning explained that she would need to speak to the report author to determine whether that would mean further consultation if the addition was considered too large.  The Vice-Chair drew Members’ attention to page 25 of the report where Network Rail had set out proposals for the footbridge and so it was already included within the document.  The Chief Executive outlined the reasons for lease to let and explained this this was a short-term option for the Council to assist regeneration, and generally assisted smaller businesses who were not prepared to take out longer leases.  The Interim Head of Planning spoke on the proposed community centre on Central Avenue and suggested delegated authority be given to her and the Chair to make minor amendments to that scheme.  She also confirmed that within the document, the written word took precedence over diagrams and said that amendments could be made to reflect the inclusion of the footbridge in the SPD.

The Chair proposed the following amendment:  That recommendation (2) in the report be amended to include delegation to the Chair and the Interim Head of Planning for any minor amendments.  This was seconded by Councillor Monique Bonney and on being put to the vote, the amendment was agreed.

Further comments included:

·         Did not agree with the amendment to the recommendation;

·         there were mixed responses to the document and did not consider these had been included;

·         considered there was a significant number of small issues that had been raised;

·         housing issues and no mention of Kent County Council’s concerns with these;

·         considered there was no evidence to back up the crime and disorder implications set out on page 15 of the report;

·         it seemed that this was being rushed through, the SPD should be considered by the Planning and Transportation Policy Working Group and then full council.

Recommended:

(1)      That the revisions to the SPD following consultation feedback be approved.

(2)      That delegation be given to the Chair and the Interim Head of Planning to make any minor amendments to the SPD prior to it being adopted by full Council.