To consider the following applications:

1.    15/501604/FULL – 95 Borden Lane, Sittingbourne

2.    15/500303/COUNTY – Land at Cryalls Lane, Sittingbourne

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 1 July 2015.

The Development Manager reported that an amended plan of the garage had been received.  This showed the garage with a reduced width from 9 metres to 8 metres, and a reduced height from 4 metres to 3.5 metres.  He explained that the garage could be built under permitted development rights if such tolerances existed, as the new dwelling was not yet built and occupied.

The Development Manager reported that two further objections had been received, and he outlined the comments as follows:  the garage was still too high as the gardens were on a slope; a flat roof would be better; welcome the decrease in dimensions, but still too large; and the roof would be better if hipped.

The Development Manager explained that condition (19) in the report would need to be amended to reflect the submission of the amended plans.

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

Councillor Mike Henderson moved the following amendments:  That condition (2) be amended to read ‘……..renewable energy production including, but not limited to……’ and condition (6) to delete ‘where possible’.  These were accepted by the proposer and seconder.

Resolved:  That application 15/501604/FULL be approved subject to conditions (1) to (19) in the report and condition (2) be amended to read ‘……..renewable energy production including, but not limited to……’ and condition (6) to delete ‘where possible’.

Mrs Jane Howard, an objector, spoke against the application.

The Chairman moved the officer recommendation of ‘no objection be raised’ and this was seconded.

A Ward Member spoke against the application.  He welcomed the responses, but considered further information was needed on the hours of construction, and where the material was coming from.  He considered accessibility to the site along Cryalls Lane by large trucks would be difficult, and there were no passing points.

Another Ward Member raised concern with the impact of the road movements along Wises Lane on other road users.

Councillor Mike Henderson moved the following amendment:  That it be requested that KCC carried out the work within a shorter timeframe and that the two badger setts on the site be brought to KCC’s attention with the message that if the setts were disturbed, the KCC Cabinet Member may be liable to criminal proceedings.  This was agreed by the proposer and the seconder.

Resolved:  That no objection to 15/500303/COUNTY be raised and it be  requested that KCC carried out the work within a shorter timeframe and that the two badger setts on the site be brought to KCC’s attention.