Agenda item

(1)          Mr P M Harman informed the Committee that he was the Local Member. He had not taken part in any discussions on this proposal and was able to approach its determination with a fresh mind.

(2)          The Head of Planning Applications Group agreed that that both Dartford BC and Swanscombe & Greenhithe TC would be consulted on the construction materials to be used externally. 

(3)          In agreeing the recommendations of the Head of Planning Applications Group, the Committee added an Informative that when reviewing the School Travel Plan, the applicants should also take account of the contribution that Swanscombe Centre Carpark could continue to play in the provision of parking for the School at the beginning and end of the school day.

(4)          RESOLVEDthattheproposal be referredtotheSecretaryofState for Communitiesand Local Governmentand that subject to his decision:-

(a)       permission be granted to the proposal subject to conditions,  including conditions covering thestandard5 year timelimit; thedevelopment being carriedoutinaccordancewith thepermitteddetails; thesubmissionand approval (in consultation with Dartford BC and Swanscombe and Greenhithe TC)  ofdetailsofallconstructionmaterialstobe used externally; the submissionofa revisedSchool Travel Planpriortooccupationofthenew school anditsongoingreviewfor5 years,withmonitoring results being postedon theschool’swebsite; thesubmissionof aConstructionManagementPlan,providingdetailsof(amongst other matters)timesofaccess to the site(toavoidschool peaktimes),operative parking,wheel washingand deliveryvehicleunloadingand turning; theprovisionof theparkingand dropoffspacesshownon thesitelayoutpriorto occupation, andtheirpermanent retentionthereafter; no lighting of the MUGAtaking place withoutthewrittenconsent of the County PlanningAuthority; the submissionofa detailedmitigationstrategyfortheprotectionofGreatCrested Newtsduringconstruction; the  submission of  a  scheme  of  ecological  enhancements  to  supplement those proposed in the Ecological Appraisal; the submission of a detailed surface water strategy for approval in writing prior to the commencement of construction;  no infiltrationofsurfacewaterdrainageintotheground taking place withouttheapprovalof the County PlanningAuthority in consultationwiththeEnvironmentAgency; no  development  commencing  until  a  scheme  is  agreed  in  writing  regarding  a preliminary  risk  assessment,  site  investigation  and  verification  plan  relating  to potential contamination; the sitenot beingoccupieduntila verificationreporthas beenapproved detailingany remediationwork required;  constructionceasing if contaminationisfoundduringdevelopmentuntila remediationstrategyhas beenagreedby theCounty PlanningAuthority; no pilingor foundationdesigns which usepenetrativemethods being implemented withouttheapprovalof the County PlanningAuthority in consultationwiththeEnvironmentAgency; and thesubmissionofa nativespecieslandscapescheme,with therequirementforitto beplantedinthefirstplantingseason followingcompletionofdevelopment; and

(b)       the applicants be advised by Informative that:-

(i)           they should register the School Travel Plan with KentCountyCouncilthroughthe “Jambusters” website;

(ii)          they should ensurethatallnecessaryhighwayapprovalsand consentsare obtained;

(iii)         the developmentshouldtakeaccountoftheBatConservationTrust’s‘Batsand LightingintheUK’guidance;

(iv)         they should ensurethatworkstotreesarecarriedoutoutsideofthebreedingbirdseasonand, ifthis isnot possible,anecologist should examine the siteprior to workscommencing;

(v)          they should ensure thatallprecautionsaretakentoavoiddischargesand spillsintothe groundduringand after construction; and

(vi)         when reviewing the School Travel Plan, they should also take account of the contribution that Swanscombe Centre Carpark can continue to play in the provision of parking for the School at the beginning and end of the school day.