Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 8 December 2009 are correctly recorded and that they be signed by the Chairman.

The Committee noted that the site visit and public meeting in respect of the Otterpool Quarry, Sellindge application would now take place on Monday, 8 February 2010. The next training session would be on the new Development Framework on Tuesday, 16 March 2010.

(1)       Mr R E Brookbank informed the Committee that he had a personal interest as he was a Member of the Sevenoaks DC Development Control Committee which had discussed the application. He had, however, not participated in this discussion and was approaching the application with a fresh mind. He was also a Member of the Sevenoaks AQMA Working Group but had not discussed the application in this Forum.

(2)       Mr K Smith informed the Committee that he had a personal interest as he knew Members of the Kent Downs AONB, who had written to object to the application.   He had not, however, participated in any discussion of the application with them.

(3)       Mr R J Parry informed the Committee that he had a personal interest as he was a Member of Sevenoaks TC which had discussed the application. He had, however, not participated or voted in the STC discussions and was approaching the application with a fresh mind.   Mr Parry also asked the Clerk to note that he had received a letter from the Kent Downs AONB, who had written to object to the application and also stated that he did not know the letter’s signatory; additionally Mr Parry stated that he had not participated in any discussion of the application with Kent Downs AONB.  Mr Parry also identified that he was acquainted with some the listed objectors and then identified the relevant names. 

(4)       Mr R F Manning made a declaration of personal interest as he had in the past been distantly related by marriage in law to the Chairman of the Kent Downs AONB, who had written to him in objection.   He had become acquainted with him without forming any close association.

(5)       Mr J F London informed the Committee that he had a personal interest as he was a Member of Sevenoaks TC which had discussed the application. He had, however, not participated in this discussion and was approaching the application with a fresh mind.  He was also a Member of the Sevenoaks AQMA Working Group but had not discussed the application in this Forum.  He also knew Members of the Kent Downs AONB, who had written to object to the application.   He had not, however, participated in any discussion of the application with them.  He also identified some of the objectors as people he was acquainted with. 

(6)       Nr N J D Chard was present for this item pursuant to Committee Procedure Rule 2.24 and spoke. He explained that he was a Member of the Sevenoaks AQMA Working Group but was addressing the Committee in his capacity as the Local Member.

(7)       A letter from the Chairman of the Kent Downs AONB objecting to the application had previously been circulated to members of the Committee. It was also tabled at the meeting.

(8)       Two further items were tabled at the meeting. These were e.mail correspondence dated 14 January 2010 and 20 January 2010 between Mr Tony Van Gool, a local objector and Mr J Wooldridge,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

RESOLVED to note matters dealt with under delegated powers since the last meeting relating to:-

(a)               County matter applications;

(b)               consultations on applications submitted by District Councils and Government Departments;

(c)               County Council developments;

(d)               Screening opinions under Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations 1999; and

(e)               Scoping opinions under Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations 1999 (None).

The Chairman informed the Committee that Mr Jerry Crossley had been forced to miss his first meeting of the Committee in over twenty years. The Committee passed on its best wishes for a speedy recovery.