Agenda item

(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:-

(a)       permission be granted to the application subject to conditions, including conditions covering a 5 year implementation period; the development being carried out in accordance with the permitted details; details of all external materials being submitted for approval;  the submission of off-site traffic calming scheme measures and their implementation prior to the construction of the new school;  the submission of details of visibility splays (including details of hedgerow planting), their implementation prior to the construction of the new school and maintenance in perpetuity thereafter; details of car park surface treatment being submitted for approval; vehicle and cycle parking (as proposed in the application) being provided prior to first occupation of the new school; details of all fencing (including specification and colour treatment) being submitted for approval; details of public right of way surface treatment(s) being submitted for approval; details of site levels, finished floor levels and building heights being submitted for approval; details of sustainable energy measures (including Ground Source Heat Pump, photovoltaic panels and solar thermal hot water) being submitted and implemented prior to first occupation; submission of a School Travel Plan, its implementation and ongoing monitoring; submission of a Community Use Scheme (covering proposed hours of use); details of a reptile mitigation strategy being submitted and implemented prior to the removal of the hedgerow; erection of reptile fencing prior to the commencement of construction activities; removal of vegetation being carried out outside of the bird breeding season (or being supervised by a qualified ecologist); full implementation of the ecological recommendations for precautionary mitigation being carried out prior to commencement and during the construction of the development; submission of a site biodiversity management plan covering the green roof, meadow areas and native hedgerows; submission of a detailed landscape/vegetation planting and seeding scheme (to include a range of semi- mature and younger species), its implementation within the first planting season following the completion of the development and its maintenance for a period of 5 years thereafter; tree protection details being implemented (as detailed in the application) in accordance with British Standard 5837:2005 (as amended); submission of lighting details for car park/general areas for approval; no external lighting being installed on or around the Multi Use Games Area; submission of foul and surface water drainage schemes for approval; submission for approval of a Code of Construction Practice (including measures such as wheel cleaning equipment, parking and storage of materials during construction activities); the hours of construction (08:00 to 18:00 hours Monday to Friday and 08:00 to 13:00 on Saturdays, with no working on Saturday afternoons, Sundays, Bank and Public Holidays); measures to prevent mud and debris being tracked out onto the public highway; parking being made available within the site for construction operatives vehicles during construction activities; and removal of Permitted Development Rights; and

(b)       the applicant be advised that notwithstanding the conclusion that the access and car parking arrangements considered as part of this application are considered acceptable in planning and highway terms, the applicant is strongly urged to explore further with the Harmsworth Memorial Trust the possibility of shared school access and parking arrangements with the Village Hall. The applicant is therefore requested to initiate further discussions with the Harmsworth Memorial Trust to consider again the options for such a possibility and to inform the County Planning Authority of the outcome before any development is commenced.