Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 6 November 2012 are correctly recorded and that they be signed by the Chairman.

(1)       The Head of Planning Applications Group informed the Committee that the Public Inquiry into the proposed westerly extension to Hermitage Quarry, Aylesford (see Minute 2011/37) had commenced on 27 November 2012.  It was expected that the Inquiry would close on 18 December 2012 and that decision would be taken early in 2013.

(2)       The Chairman thanked Mrs Sharon Thompson, Mr Mike Clifton and Ms Angela Watts on behalf of the Committee for their hard work and professional input in this matter.

The Committee agreed to visit Tunstall CEP School during the afternoon of Wednesday, 16 January 2013 in respect of an application for temporary change of use of the land from agriculture to car parking.

(1)       Mr R F Manning informed the Committee that he had been spoken to about the application by many of his constituents in his capacity as Local Member. He also had two grandchildren who attended the school. He had not, however, in any way pre-determined the application, nor given anyone cause to believe that he had. Nor did he have a significant other interest. He was therefore able to approach this matter with a fresh mind.

(2)       Mr J R Bullock informed the Committee that he had been involved at the earliest stages of site selection in his capacity as a Tunbridge Wells Borough Councillor.  He had not, however, made any decision on which of the proposed sites should be selected, nor had he pre-determined his views on the particular site that was under consideration at the meeting.

(3)       Mr J A Davies informed the Committee that he considered that he had an Other Significant Interest in the application and would not be participating in its determination.  He vacated the Chair and left the Chamber.

(4)       Mr C P Smith thereupon assumed the Chair for this item. 

(5)       The Head of Planning Applications Group informed the Committee that 6 further letters of support had been received since publication of the report, including one from the Director of the Canterbury Diocesan Board of Education. 

(6)       The Head of Planning Applications Group informed the Committee that the phrase “Benenden Village Hall Management Committee” in paragraph 132 of the report should read “Harmsworth Memorial Trust.”

(7)       Mrs Judith Norris (Judith Norris Ltd) addressed the Committee on behalf of a number of objectors to the application.  Mrs B Holmes, Mrs Jo Bird, Mr Edward Sarton and Mrs Mary Kellett (Benenden PC) also spoke in objection.  Mr Sean Holden (local Borough Councillor), Ms Liz Butler-Graham, Mr David Harmsworth (Chair of Governors) and Mrs Jenny Reich (Head Teacher) spoke in support. Mr Chris Gabriel (KCC Property Services) and Mr Matthew Blythin (DHA Planning) spoke in reply.

(8)       The Head of Planning Applications Group agreed to amend the proposed off-site traffic calming scheme and vision splays conditions so that they would be implemented prior to the construction of the new school.

(9)       Mr R F Manning moved, seconded by Mr W A Hayton that the recommendations of the Head of Planning Applications Group be agreed.

(10)     The proposer and seconder of the motion accepted an amendment to the proposed conditions in respect of the submission of a planting and seeding scheme. This set out that the scheme would include a range of semi- mature and younger species.

(11)     The proposer and seconder also accepted an amendment to the Informative to the applicants (paragraph 132 of the report) to the effect that the applicant would be strongly urged to explore further with the Harmsworth Memorial Trust the possibility of shared school access and parking arrangements within the Village Hall.

(12)     On being put to the vote, the motion as amended was carried unanimously.

(13)     RESOLVED  that:-  ...  view the full minutes text for item 71.

(1)       Mr A R Chell informed the Committee that his granddaughter attended St Katherine’s School.  Mr C P Smith informed the Committee that he was a member of Tonbridge and Malling BC but had not taken part in any discussions of the proposal.  He also knew one of the objectors; although this was not a close personal relationship. Neither Mr Chell nor Mr Smith considered that they had a significant other interest and they both therefore were able to participate in the determination of the proposal.

(2)       In agreeing the recommendations of the Head of Planning Applications Group, the Committee included a condition ensuring that vehicle movements associated with construction activities would not conflict with the start and finish of the school day.  

(3)       RESOLVED that permission be granted to the proposal subject to conditions, including conditions covering the standard 5 year time limit; the development being carried out in accordance with submitted details; a scheme of landscaping being submitted prior to commencement of the nursery extension; restriction on the hours of operation of the proposed nursery extension to 07.30am to 6.30pm Monday to Friday only; restriction on the hours of working during construction to between 0800 and 1800 Monday to Friday and between the hours of 0900 and 1300 Saturdays with no operation on Sundays or Bank Holidays; vehicle movements associated with construction activities not conflicting with the start and finish of the school day; .restriction of the development to school use only as described in the application; submission (prior to commencement of work on site) of details of construction access, construction vehicle loading, unloading, turning, circulation and parking for the duration of the construction works; restoration and making good of any disturbed areas of field or planting; provision (prior to commencement of work on site) of parking facilities for site personnel and visitors for the duration of the construction works; provision (prior to the commencement of the development) of measures to prevent the discharge of surface water onto the highway; provision of wheel washing facilities prior to commencement of work on site and for the duration of construction; implementation of the School Travel Plan; and protection for breeding birds.  

(1)       The Head of Planning Applications Group informed the Committee of correspondence from Mr M J Jarvis, the Local Member, fully supporting the application.

(2)       RESOLVED that permission be granted to the proposal subject to a condition requiring the chalet buildings to be removed from the site in the event of these buildings no longer being needed for the use applied for.

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 or Government Departments (None);

(c)               County Council developments;

(d)               Screening opinions under the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations 2011; and

(e)               Scoping opinions under the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2011 (None).