Agenda and minutes

            RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 9 October 2007 are correctly recorded and that they be signed by the Chairman.

The Committee noted the arrangements for the site visit to Dungeness on 12 November 2007 and the training session on Heritage and Archaeology on 26 November 2007.

RESOLVED that the half year progress against the current Business Plan be noted and that a further update report be given to the Committee in February.

(1)       Mrs V J Dagger made a declaration of personal interest as she was representing the views of her constituents.  She addressed the Committee in her capacity as local Member but took no part in the decision-making process.

(2)       On being put to the vote, the recommendations of the Head of Planning Applications Group were carried by 12 votes to 2.

(3)       RESOLVED that:-

(a)       subject to the prior satisfactory conclusion of a legal agreement to secure the Heads of Terms given in Appendix 7 of the report and the applicants meeting the County Council’s reasonable legal costs associated with this agreement, permission be granted to Application TM/07/512 for the northern extension of the existing sand quarry and restoration to agriculture, amenity and woodland using imported inert waste materials, subject to conditions covering amongst other matters duration of the permission (until 31 December 2018); requirement for annual progress reports; maximum depth of extraction (68m AOD); wastes being restricted to those types set out in the application; hours of operation; noise limits; dust controls; lighting (to minimise visual impacts); vehicle movement restrictions (60 per day – 30 in/30 out); use of existing site access only; measures to minimise mud, dust and other debris being deposited on the highway (including vehicle sheeting); landscape planting and long term maintenance; protection of existing trees; removal of permitted development rights; more detailed working, restoration and aftercare schemes; surface water drainage; appropriate soil handling and storage; ecology; and archaeology and historic landscape;

(b)       in respect of Application TM/07/3101, permission be partially granted to vary Condition 1 of Permission TM/05/1672 to relax the time limit for soil blending operations to continue only in the final location on the site plan beyond 2008 to 31 August 2018 in order to meet the revised quarry restoration timescales proposed in Application TM/07/512 (above), subject to conditions covering amongst other matters a limit on operations until sand reserves are exhausted or the end of 2015 (whichever is the sooner); and existing conditions being replicated or amended as necessary;

(c)        permission be granted to part of  Application TM/07/3100 to vary Condition 3 of Permission TM/98/1843/MR100, as amended by Permission TM/05/1173, to further relax the time limit for sand extraction and restoration by backfilling, to provide an amended timetable for implementation of restoration pursuant to Condition 2 of Permission TM/98/1843/MR100 subject to conditions covering amongst other matters duration of the Permission (until 31 December 2018); sand extraction being completed in the existing area before extraction commences in the proposed northern extension; and existing conditions being replicated or amended as necessary; and

(d)       permission be granted to part of Application TM/07/3100 to depart from the requirement of Condition 2 of Permission TM/98/1843/MR100 and for the amendment of the details of site buildings and associated facilities pursuant to Condition 21 of Permission TM/98/1843/MR100.

(1)       Mr F Wood-Brignall made a declaration of personal interest as he had previously given his views on the application.  He addressed the Committee in his capacity as local Member but took no part in the decision-making process.

(2)       Correspondence from Lydd Town Council maintaining its objection was tabled.

(3)       The Committee agreed to the inclusion of an Informative to indicate that it would wish the operation to be concluded within 10 years of the granting of permission.

(4)       RESOLVED that:-

(a)              permission be granted to the variation of Conditions 2, 3 and 13 and to the deletion of Condition 15 of Permission SH/98/322 subject to extraction of sand and gravel from the site taking place over a period of 10 years; the Scheme of Work providing for extraction to take place over 10 separate phases together with their progressive restoration upon the completion of extraction in each successive phase using imported inert waste materials; there being no restriction on where the extracted materials are subsequently exported; and to conditions including conditions requiring the progressive working and restoration of the site being carried out strictly in accordance with the application details as indicated on drawing no. AB/200 rev A. submitted with the letter from Davies Planning dated 30 March 2007; operations ceasing within 10 years from the date of the recommencement of sand extraction, and the site being restored within a further 12 months in accordance with the ‘Further Revised Restorations & Landscape Assessment’ undertaken on behalf of Brett Aggregates Ltd by Keith Funnell Associates dated February 2007 which accompanied the letter from Davies Planning dated 30 March 2007; written notice being given to the County Planning Authority at least 14 days prior to the recommencement of sand extraction at the site; and details of the proposed tree planting and seed mixes including those areas of the site to be reinstated as acid grassland being submitted to the County Planning Authority for approval within 3 months of the date of this Permission; and

(b)        the applicant be advised of the following Informatives:-

                        (i)         attention is drawn to the requirements of EDF Energy, Natural England and Network Rail as set out in their letters attached to this Application;

                        (ii)        all other Conditions imposed on Permission SH/98/322 remain in effect; and

                        (iii)       the Committee would wish to see the completion of operations within 10 years of the granting of permission.

RESOLVED that permission be granted to the proposal subject to conditions, including conditions covering the standard time limit; the development being carried out in accordance with the permitted details; and the development being carried out in such a way as to avoid the removal of existing trees and shrubs.

            RESOLVED that:-

(a)               permission be granted to the proposal subject to conditions including conditions covering the removal of the mobile building by 30 November 2010 and reinstatement of the land to its former use; and the development being carried out in accordance with the permitted plans; and

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

(i)                 the further period of retention of three years is on the proviso that urgent progress will be made with regard to the development of a scheme to provide appropriate permanent teaching accommodation at the earliest opportunity; and

                        (ii)       the Managing Director of Children, Families and Education is strongly advised to include this school in the Modernisation Programme for replacement of temporary accommodation.

RESOLVED that:-

(a)               permission be refused on the grounds that by virtue of its scale, massing and bulk, and the visual appearance of the chosen colour scheme, the fence would have an overbearing visual impact to the detriment of both the street scene and residential properties along Parsonage Chase, contrary to Structure Plan Policy QL1 and Local Plan Policy G1; and

(b)               given the retrospective nature of the application, urgent steps be taken to remove the timber boarded fence, and that this case be reported to Regulation Committee at the next available date.

            (Mr R J Parry was present for this item and spoke pursuant to Committee    Procedure Rule 2.24).

(1)               The Head of Planning Applications Group reported correspondence from Sevenoaks District Council maintaining its objection to the proposal, and the views of Westerham Parish Council and Natural England raising no objections.

(2)               On being put to the vote the recommendations of the Head of the Planning Applications Group were carried unanimously.

(3)               RESOLVED that:-

(a)               the application be referred to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government and that subject to her decision and satisfactory resolution of the outstanding issues on contamination and ecology, permission be granted to the proposal subject to conditions, including conditions covering the standard time limit, the development being carried out in accordance with permitted details; external materials; submission for approval of details and implementation and subsequent maintenance of landscaping proposals; submission for approval of details and implementation of proposed woodland management; implementation of appropriate tree protection measures; external lighting specifications being agreed; submission for approval of specifications and implementation of programmes of archaeological work and building recording before development takes place; submission for approval of details of foul and surface water drainage; measures to deal with ground contamination; ecological/protected species mitigation, monitoring and management; biodiversity enhancement, monitoring and management, as appropriate; and measures to prevent mud and debris being taken onto the public highway; and

(b)               the applicant be advised by Informative that account should be taken of the Environment Agency’s advice relating to drainage, groundwater protection and in how to deal with contaminants.

(1)       Correspondence from Swanscombe and Greenhithe Town Council was tabled maintaining its objection to the proposal and requesting a Members’ site visit.

(2)       RESOLVED that permission be granted to the proposal subject to conditions, including conditions covering the standard time limit for implementation; sample of the render; the fencing being finished in green to match the existing fencing; protection of trees during construction; replacement trees if any are removed; and the development being carried out in accordance with the permitted details.

RESOLVED that permission be granted to the proposal subject to conditions, including conditions covering the standard time limit; the development being carried out in accordance with the permitted details, details of external materials being submitted; details of a scheme of landscaping being submitted; details of cycle parking; details confirming that the development will achieve a sustainable and energy efficient building; details of foul and surface water drainage; replacement car parking being provided prior to commencement of use of the Centre; details of anti-climb measures/ barriers being submitted and installed on the building; hours of use for the Children’s Centre being restricted to 0800 to 1800 Monday to Friday; the use of the building being restricted specifically to use as a Children’s Centre only; and submission, implementation and ongoing review of a Travel Plan for the Children’s Centre.

            RESOLVED to note reports on items dealt with under delegated powers since the last meeting relating to:-

(a)               County matter applications;

(a)               consultations on applications submitted by District Councils or Government Departments;

(a)               County Council developments;

(a)               detailed submissions under Channel Tunnel Rail Link Act 1996 (None);

(a)               screening opinions under Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations 1999; and

(a)               scoping opinions under Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations 1999 (None).