Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 15 July 2020 are correctly recorded and that they be signed by the Chairman. 

The Head of Planning Applications Group updated the Committee on progress in respect of the intended site inspection of Covers Farm in Westerham.  She explained that, having investigated the possibility of using a drone, she had been forced to conclude that for a number of reasons, this option would not appear to be practical.  She would continue to investigate alternative arrangements.

(1)          Mr J Burden informed the Committee that he was a Member of the Kent and Medway Economic Partnership in his capacity as Leader of Gravesham BC.  He had not, however, participated in any discussions of the planning application and was therefore able to approach its determination with an open mind. 

(2)          Ms K Constantine, Mrs R Binks and Mr B Lewis were present as Local Members and spoke.  In addition, Mr P Messenger had indicated his intention to be present.  Due to technical difficulties, he was unable to speak, but the Chairman agreed to accept a question which he was able to ask through the Teams Chat Function.  This was duly responded to by the Head of Planning Applications Group.   

(3)          The Clerk to the meeting read out representations from Mr David Morrish of CPRE Kent as well as the response on behalf of the applicants from Ms Katie Pettit (KCC Principal Transport Planner – Strategy).

(4)          On being put to the vote, the recommendations of the Head of Planning Applications Group were carried by 8 votes to 5.  The Chairman ruled that although Mr H Rayner was unable to state his vote due to technical difficulties, his intended vote would be counted as set out in the Teams Chat Function as he had clearly been present throughout the entire discussion of the application. 

(5)       RESOLVED that   subject  to   compliance  with   the   agreed   Memorandum  of Understanding:-

(a)         permission be granted to the proposal subject toconditions, includingconditionscoveringthe standard3 yeartime limitfor implementation; thedevelopmentbeing carriedout inaccordance withthe permitteddetails;   thesubmission andapproval ofdetails ofall materials tobe usedexternally prior to thecommencementof theconstructionof thestationand carpark; hesubmission priorto thecommencement ofthe constructionof the stationand carpark ofa detailedschemeof externallightingincludingluxlevelsand lightspilldiagrams and detailsof howthe lightingaims tominimiseimpacts to foragingandcommuting bats; thesubmission ofa biodiversityplandemonstrating biodiversitynet gain; tree retentionand protectionof those trees which are to beretained,includingroot protectionareas; the submissionand approvalof ascheme oflandscaping andtreeplanting priorto the commencement ofthe development(apart fromenabling worksand site clearance),including theprovision ofearly treeplanting ifpossible; implementationof theapproved landscapingscheme inthe fir  ...  view the full minutes text for item 36.

(1)       Mr J Burden informed the Committee that,  although the four school applications which had been determined in item F2 were within the area of Gravesham BC, he had not participated in the discussions of any of them.   

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

(a)          County matter applications;

(b)        County Council developments;

(c)          Screening Opinions under the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017;

(d)          Scoping Opinions under the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017 (None);

(e)          The Urgent decision taken pursuant to the Urgent Matter protocol  in respect of the request by Gallagher Aggregates Ltd for extended operating hours at Blaise Farm Quarry, Kings Hill, West Malling to supply an urgent Brexit-related Government contract for the Ashford Inland Port Project. 

RESOLVED to note Kent County Council’s responses to the following consultations:-

(a)         The Written Statement to the Examination of the Folkestone and Hythe District Council Core Strategy Review; and

(b)       Application SW/18/502/EIHYB - Housing Proposal at Land North Quinton Road, Sittingbourne