Agenda item

(1)       Mr N J D Chard was present for this item subject to Committee procedure Rule 2.21 and spoke.

(2)       Mr R E Brookbank informed the Committee that he was acquainted with Cllr Matthew Dickens who had corresponded on the application.  This acquaintanceship was not a close personal association and he was, therefore able to approach the determination of the application with a fresh mind.

(3)       Mrs S V Hohler informed the Committee that she had previously been involved with the School in her role as Cabinet Member for Education, Learning and Skills. She had not been involved in this particular application up to this point and was, therefore able to approach the determination of the application with a fresh mind.

(4)       Mr R J Lees informed the Committee that his niece attended the Knole Academy.   This was neither a disclosable pecuniary interest, nor an other significant interest which would lead him to pre-determine the application. He was therefore able to approach determination of the application with a fresh mind.

(5)       The Head of Planning Applications Group informed the Committee of correspondence from Sport England withdrawing its objection subject to the inclusion of three additional conditions.  She therefore presented a revised recommendation, including the three conditions requested.

(6)       In agreeing the revised recommendations, the Committee also agreed to the strengthening of the landscaping condition by the addition of the words: “with particular emphasis on integrating the development into its sensitive setting.”

(7)       RESOLVED that:-

(a)          the application BE REFERRED to the Secretary of State as a departure from the Development Plan on Green Belt grounds, and that subject to his decision permission be granted to the application subject to conditions, including conditions covering the submission and implementation of a Community Use Agreement; details of the design and layout of the playing pitches and artificial grass pitch; the submission of a playing field restoration scheme, and the restoration of the playing field; the standard time limit (5 years in this instance); the development being carried out in accordance with the permitted details; removal of the modular classroom building and completion of the south eastern car park within one month of completion and decant into the new build; the submission of details of all materials to be used externally; details of all external lighting, including hours of operation; a scheme of landscaping, including hard surfacing, its implementation and maintenance with particular emphasis on integrating the development into its sensitive setting; the provision of trees to the boundary with number 4 Oast Cottages; measures to protect those trees to be retained; a habitat management plan/biodiversity enhancement strategy, including monitoring and management; no tree removal taking place during the bird breeding season; the development according with the recommendations of the ecological survey; reptile mitigation and fencing; a programme of archaeological works; “Secured by Design” principles being adopted; a BREEAM rating of ‘Very Good’ being achieved; details of community use relating to use of the indoor and outdoor facilities, including hours of use; the submission of an updated Travel Plan within six months of occupation, and ongoing monitoring and review thereafter; the provision and retention of car parking, coach parking/waiting, cycle parking, access, circulatory routes and turning areas; further works with regard to contaminated land; details of surface water drainage; details of piling and other penetrative foundation designs; control of surface water drainage; hours of working during construction and demolition being restricted to between 0800 and 1800 Monday to Friday and between the hours of 0900 and 1300 on Saturdays, with no operations on Sundays and Bank Holidays; a construction management strategy, including access, lorry routing, parking and circulation within the site for contractors’ and other vehicles related to construction and demolition operations; 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 and soakaways, contamination, watercourses and fuel/chemical storage.