To consider the attached report (Parts 2 and 5).

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 6 December 2017.

PART 2

Applications for which PERMISSION is recommended

The Chairman moved the officer recommendation to approve the application and this was seconded by the Vice-Chairman.

Parish Councillor Stephen Harvey, representing Newington Parish Council, spoke against the application.

One of the Ward Members, who was a substitute Member on the Planning Committee, considered that it was a contentious application; he raised concern regarding overlooking and he suggested that the middle window should also be obscured; and asked whether the application met the test as outlined by the Planning Inspector on page 13 of the report.

The Area Planning Officer clarified that the main dormer window of No. 9 London Road would be obscured and showed a diagram of the proposed triangular oriel window which would be half-blind; and he considered that this would address concerns about overlooking.

Members asked questions regarding the proposed driveway; the width of the garage; the size of the garden of the proposed property; and the impact of the proposal on on-street parking for residents.  The Area Planning Officer referred to page 7 of the report which stated that the garage was not being treated as a parking space as it was considered that there would be space on the driveway, and that the garden for the new property was an acceptable size (9m deep by 16m wide).  Another Member expressed concern that the application would exacerbate existing parking problems and the application would over-develop the site.

Resolved:  That application 17/503349/FULL be approved subject to conditions (1) to (13) in the report.

The Chairman moved the officer recommendation to approve the application and this was seconded by the Vice-Chairman.

The Vice-Chairman expressed his disappointment that Minster Parish Council had asked the Planning Committee to consider this application, but were not present to speak at the meeting, and asked for this to be recorded in the minutes.  Another Member echoed these sentiments and suggested that the Chairman could write to all parish councils regarding this matter, whilst another Member considered it important that parish councils had the right to ask for applications to be referred to the Committee.

Resolved:  That application 17/505484/FULL be approved subject to conditions (1) to (3) in the report.

Councillor Nigel Kay left the meeting during consideration of this application.

The Chairman moved the officer recommendation to approve the application and this was seconded by the Vice-Chairman.

Resolved:  That application 17/505160/NMAMD be approved.

The Chairman moved the officer recommendation to approve the application and this was seconded by the Vice-Chairman.

The Chairman advised that one of the Ward Members raised no objection to the application.  The other Ward Member, who was a Member of the Committee, advised that he had no objection to the application.

The Vice-Chairman asked for his disappointment that Selling Parish Council had asked for the application to be considered by the Planning Committee, but had not sent a representative to speak at the meeting, to be recorded in the minutes. 

Resolved:  That application 17/504807/FULL be approved subject to condition (1) in the report.

The Area Planning Officer advised Members that more representations had been received, and clarified that the consultation deadline was 8 December 2017.  He therefore suggested that Members should delegate authority to officers to approve the application, subject to consideration of any further consultation responses received.  He read out details of objections from the Faversham Society and from four neighbours, whose objections centred on the following themes: the size of the dwelling; setting a precedent; out-of-character for the conservation area; adverse impact on privacy and light; and lack of parking.

The Chairman proposed a site meeting, which was seconded by Councillor Mike Baldock.

Parish Councillor Peter Flower, representing Faversham Town Council, spoke against the application.

Resolved:  That application 17/505562/FULL be deferred to allow the Planning Working Group to meet on site.

The Chairman moved the officer recommendation to approve the application and this was seconded by the Vice-Chairman.

It was confirmed that the Ward Members had no objection to the application.

The same point was made regarding lack of attendance by Selling Parish Council (as made in 2.4) and it was suggested that the Chairman should write to Parish Councils regarding this, whilst another Member suggested that the procedure in the Constitution may need to be reviewed if Members were not content.  The Chairman advised that he had been discussing this issue with the Head of Planning.

Resolved:  That application 17/504375/FULL be approved subject to conditions (1) and (2) in the report.

The Area Planning Officer read out details of a letter of objection from 86 Scarborough Drive, raising concerns about the size of the screening, the height of the applicant, and concerns about overlooking and noise.  He also read out details of a letter from the applicant regarding the height of the fencing and advised that the height of the applicant was not relevant in consideration of the application.

Nicola Hollands spoke against the application and circulated photographs to Members of the Committee.

Debate ensued regarding the detail of the sunken roof; the height of the screening; and the potential for over-looking to the east and west.

The Area Planning Officer showed Members plans and photographs to illustrate the effect of the proposed screening and to show the existing site, and commented that the screening would be an improvement on the current situation, given the size of the existing window.  He also confirmed that he did not consider that the proposed doors would have any greater impact than the existing windows and referred to page 42 of the report regarding the requirement for planning permission.

A Member expressed concern regarding the height of the screen; the potential for overlooking from the step; and the design of the glass which he considered to be contrary to that suggested by Minster Parish Council.

The Area Planning Officer suggested, given the comments made, that the Committee may wish to grant delegation to Officers to permit the application subject to changes to the height of the screening and clarification regarding the design of the glass to ensure that it was continuous in length.

This was proposed by the Chairman and seconded by the Vice-Chairman.

Resolved:  That application 17/505078/FULL be delegated to Officers to approve subject to the height of the screening being increased to the height of the door and to it being continuous, with no gaps along its entire length on both sides, and conditions (1) to (4) in the report.

PART 5

Decisions by County Council and Secretary of State, reported for information

·                    Item 5.1 – 22 Kent Road, Sheerness

APPEAL DISMISSED

·                    Item 5.2 – Cranbrook Farm, Callaways Lane, Newington

APPEAL DISMISSED

·                    Item 5.3 – Land adjoining and rear of Jubilee Fields, Oak Lane, Upchurch

APPEAL DISMISSED

·                    Item 5.4 – Land adjoining Kaine Farm House, Breach Lane, Upchurch

APPEAL DISMISSED AND AWARD OF COSTS REFUSED

The Area Planning Officer answered a Member’s question regarding material considerations and when personal circumstances were given weight, and the Chairman confirmed that each application was considered on its merits.

·                    Item 5.5 – Land adjoining Sydney Cottage, Dunkirk Road South, Dunkirk

APPEAL DISMISSED

·                    Item 5.6 – 1 Broomhill Cottages, Hanslette Lane, Ospringe

APPEAL DISMISSED

·                    Item 5.7 – Land on Corner of Range Road, Eastchurch

APPEAL DISMISSED

Members spoke about the importance of local knowledge when considering applications and thanked the Area Planning Officer for his assistance.

·                    Item 5.8 – Orchard Way, Eastchurch

APPEAL DISMISSED

·                    Item 5.9 – Land at Swale Way, East Hall Farm, East Hall Lane, Sittingbourne

APPEAL ALLOWED – AWARD OF COSTS TO BOTH PARTIES REFUSED

·                    Item 5.10 – Land North of Canterbury Road, Dunkirk

APPEAL DISMISSED

Members welcomed the outcome of this appeal, and a Member expressed disappointment that it was not possible to claim costs back.