To consider the attached report (Sections 2, 3 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 10 December 2014.

SCHEDULE OF DECISIONS

PART 2 – Applications for which PERMISSION is recommended.

The Major Projects Officer reported that KCC Highways raised no objection, consistent with their response to the very similar application submitted earlier in the year.  They noted: ‘The traffic generation data has been accepted and considered a realistic indication of the proposed and existing vehicle movements through the access, given the extant agricultural use.”  They requested a condition in respect of car parking, but this was already included in the report. 

The Major Projects Officer reported that further to 3.4 on page 44 of the report the nearest dwelling was actually approximately 390 metres from the nearest dwelling (on Barton Hill Drive), not 440 metres, but this was nevertheless further than the equivalent distance under the refused scheme and within the guidelines for this type of development as outlined in the Council’s adopted Supplementary Planning Guidance for stable buildings.

The Major Projects Officer explained that the application was also supported by a Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment which had established that the impact on views would be negligible.

The Major Projects Officer considered that this was an appropriate use for the site, and that there were certainly no planning reasons for the application to be refused.

Mr Aldous, an objector, spoke against the application.

Mr Sharpe, the Agent, spoke in support of the application.

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

A Ward Member spoke against the application and raised the following points: proposed hedges would not be enough to mitigate the damage that the application would have on the area; would have an adverse impact on the local road network, particularly the A2500 Lower Road and Barton Hill Drive; traffic flow figures were flawed; for 65% of the year there were low vehicle movements at the site due to the fact that it was agricultural land; increase in horse boxes and associated traffic would cause problems to the existing road infrastructure; damage to visual amenity; vista would be damaged forever; and loss of agricultural land.

Members considered the application and raised the following points: this application was the same as the previous application which had been refused; was already a dangerous road and the application would make it worse; increase in mud on the road; was grade 3 agricultural land so not the best quality; and was a small development which would add real biodiversity improvements to the area.

In response to queries, the Major Projects Officer reported that foaling would be carried out at a site in Bredgar.  He advised that  it was proposed to take the land out of agricultural use in the short to medium term and the proposed use would allow for the land to be reverted back to agricultural use and that the Council’s agricultural consultant raised no objection.  The Major Projects Officer considered the application was a good opportunity to introduce hedging which would improve landscape quality and the visual amenity of the area. 

The motion to approve the application was not agreed.

Councillor Booth moved the following motion:  That the application be refused as it would cause significant damage to the visual amenity of the area and result in the loss of agricultural land.  This was seconded by Councillor Tony Winckless.  On being put to the vote the motion was agreed.

Resolved:  That application 14/503827 be refused as it would cause significant damage to the visual amenity of the area and result in the loss of agricultural land.  

PART 3 - Applications for which REFUSAL is recommended.

The Area Planning Officer reported that a letter had been received from the applicant’s agent commenting on the report which he outlined for Members.

Mrs Southern, the applicant, spoke in support of the application.

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

A Ward Member spoke in support of the application and raised the following points: applicants were only requesting a temporary application; new businesses often do not make a profit initially; and made sense to allow a temporary permission and then review after three years. 

Members considered the application and made points for and against the recommendation.

CouncillorWinckless moved a motion for a site visit.  This was seconded by Councillor Bryan Mulhern.  On being put to the vote the motion was agreed.

Resolved: That application 14/502473 be deferred to allow the Planning Working Group to meet on site.

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

Resolved: That application 14/503392 be refused.

PART 5 – Decisions by County Council and Secretary of State, reported for information

5.1 - Willow Farm Caravan Park, Hansletts Lane, Ospringe, Faversham

APPEAL ALLOWED.

5.2 - 8 Brogdale Road, Faversham

APPEAL ALLOWED.

5.3 – Land adjacent to Acorns, Butlers Hill, Dargate, Faversham, ME13 9HG

APPEAL DISMISSED.

5.4 – 27 Hilton Close, Faversham, ME13 8NN

APPEAL DISMISSED.

5.5 – The Faversham Club, Gatefield Lane, Faversham, ME13 8NX

APPEAL DISMISSED.

5.6 – Site at 9 Ashford Road, Faversham, ME13 8XJ

APPEAL DISMISSED.