Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Ms J Meade, Mr P Cole, Mr M Dendor and Mr C Simkins for whom Mr A Weatherhead was present.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 15 June 2022 were correctly recorded and that they be signed by the Chairman.

Sharon Thompson, Head of Planning Applications reported that following the referral of Application TM/21/1269 (KCC/TM/0090/2021) - Installation of a ground mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) array and associated infrastructure at Land at Offham Landfill Site, Teston Road, Offham; Infinis Solar Developments Ltd, the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities had decided not to call in the application for determination. Therefore, planning permission would be granted.

1) Paul Hopkins, Principal Planning Officer outlined the report and read the statement from the local Member, Mr P Cole.

2) During discussion of the application, Members agreed the addition of informatives (as detailed below at Informatives 3 and 4) relating to the landscaping scheme and the potential for heat source pumps.

3) On being put to the vote, Mr Chittenden proposed, the Chair seconded and Members RESOLVED that:

a) Permission be granted subject to the imposition of conditions covering (amongst other matters) the following:

1. The standard three year time limit;

2. The development to be carried out in accordance with the permitted details;

3. Within 3 months of the date of the decision, details of the external materials, including colour finishes, in accordance with those set out within the application shall be submitted for the approval of the County Planning Authority, and the development shall thereafter be carried out using the approved external materials;

4. The use of the development hereby permitted shall be for school use and purposes only and shall not be made available for use by the general public;

5. The measures set out in the Construction Management Strategy dated June 2022 shall be strictly adhered to for the duration of construction operations;

6. Within 3 months of the date of this decision, details of a scheme of landscaping shall be submitted for the written approval of the County Planning Authority, and such scheme shall detail all landscaping and boundary treatments including retained or additional landscaping, and shall thereafter be implemented as approved within the first planting season following completion of the works;

7. In the event of any trees, shrubs and hedges included in the landscaping scheme, approved pursuant to condition (6) above, or any replacement trees, shrubs or hedges being removed, destroyed or dying or dead within 5 years of the planting, they shall be replaced within 12 months in the same places by large nursery stock of the same species;

8. The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in such a manner as to avoid damage to any existing trees/hedges, including their root system, to be retained as part of the landscaping scheme by providing/installing tree protection;

9. Within 3 months of works commencing within the site, an ecological enhancement plan shall be submitted for the approval of the County Planning Authority, and must demonstrate how the site will be enhanced to benefit biodiversity and thereafter be implemented as approved;

10. Within 3 months of date of this decision, details of any new additional external lighting and hours of lighting operation, including the lighting of access areas, and lighting on the buildings hereby permitted, shall be submitted for the written approval of the County Planning Authority, and thereafter be implemented as approved. The external lighting scheme must adhere to the Bat Conservation Trust’s ‘Bats and Artificial Lighting in the UK’ guidance;

b) the applicant be advised by Informative that:

1. Advice that planning permission does not convey any approval to carry  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

1) Mary Green, Principal Planning Officer outlined the report and read the statement from the local Member, Mr B Sweetland.

2) Further to questions and debate, Mr Beart proposed, the Chair seconded and Members RESOLVED that:

a) the application be referred to the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities as a departure from the Development Plan on Green Belt grounds, and to consider the Sport England objection, and that SUBJECT TO his decision, and subject to the completion of a Memorandum of Understanding regarding the required monetary contribution for the School Travel Plan monitoring and Public Transport Capacity Improvements that permission be granted, subject to the imposition of conditions covering (amongst other matters) the following:

1. The standard 3 year time limit;

2. The development carried out in accordance with the permitted details;

3. The development to be carried out using external materials and colour finishes as specified within the planning application documents, unless otherwise agreed;

4. The submission and approval of the details of the Photovoltaic PV panels and any roof plant.

5. Details of external lighting, including times and days of operation and details of the timer and light sensor to be installed;

6. Any lighting proposals shall follow the recommendations within the Bats and Artificial Lighting in the UK document produced by the Bat Conservation Trust and Institution of Lighting Professionals;

7. Prior to and during construction works the precautionary mitigation for dormouse, badgers and breeding birds within the Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (Sevenoaks Environmental Consultancy. April 2021) shall be implemented as detailed;

8. Prior to and during construction works the habitat creation and reptile mitigation works within the Additional Ecological Assessment (Sevenoaks Environmental Consultancy. May 2022) shall be implemented as detailed;

9. On completion of the reptile mitigation works detailed in condition 7 (above) the grasslands must be managed as detailed in the Proposed Enhancement and Mitigation Plan within the Additional Ecological Assessment (Sevenoaks Environmental Consultancy. May 2022) shall be implemented as detailed;

10. An Impact Assessment and Conservation Payment Certificate signed by Natural England shall be submitted to the County Planning Authority for written approval. No works can commence on site until the applicant has received the full District Level Licence;

11. Measures to protect the existing trees during construction;

12. The implementation and maintenance of the Landscaping Scheme,

13. No tree removal during the bird breeding season;

14. No development shall take place until the applicant, or their agents or successors in title, has secured the implementation of archaeological field evaluation works in accordance with a Written Scheme of Investigation and timetable which has been submitted to and approved in writing by the County Planning Authority and following on from the evaluation, any safeguarding measures to ensure preservation in situ of important archaeological remains and/or further archaeological investigation and recording in accordance with a Written Scheme of Investigation and timetable which has been submitted to and approved in writing by the County Planning Authority;

15. No development shall take place until a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

RESOLVED to note matters dealt with under delegated powers since the meeting on 15 June 2022 relating to:-

E1 County matter applications

E2 County Council developments

E3 Screening Opinions under the Town and Country Planning (Environmental

      Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017

E4 Scoping Opinions under the Town and Country Planning (Environmental

                 Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017

RESOLVED to note Kent County Council’s response to the Regulation 14 Consultation on Paddock Wood Neighbourhood Plan (2022-2038).