Agenda item

(1)             Mr T L Shonk informed the Committee that the Head Teacher of The Foreland had spoken to him about the proposal.  Mr Shonk had in no way given an indication that he might have pre-determined the application and was therefore able to approach it with a fresh mind. 

(2)          Correspondence from the Local Member, Mr M Heale raising concern regarding pedestrian access to the proposal and from Mrs Z Wiltshire the Member for the adjacent Division (in support) was tabled. 

(3)          In agreeing the recommendations of the Head of Planning Applications Group, the Committee decided to amplify one of the conditions by requiring the completion of agreed satisfactory off-site highways works prior to first occupation of the development. 

(4)          The Committee also agreed to an amplification of the Memorandum of Understanding as set out in (4) below. 

(5)          RESOLVED that:-

(a)       the proposal be referred to the Secretary of State for

Communities and Local Government and that subject to his decision, and subject to a Memorandum of Understanding between the applicant and Kent County Council Highways and Transportation to address the provision of the required offsite highway works, permission be granted to the proposal subject to conditions, including conditions coveringthe standard time limit; the development being carried out in accordance with the permitted details; the submission of details of all materials to be used externally; the submission of the scheme of landscaping; the provision and permanent retention of the car parking, cycle parking, drop–off and turning/loading/unloading areas as shown on the submitted plans; the completion of agreed, satisfactory off-site highway works prior to first occupation of the development; the submission of an updated Travel Plan within 6 months of the date of occupation; staggered/offset school start and finish times; the development being undertaken in accordance with the recommendations of the Ecological Scoping Survey; a BREEAM rating of ‘Very Good’ being achieved; the submission of a specification and timetable for the implementation of a programme of archaeological work; control of surface water drainage and infiltration to ground; control of the development should land contamination be identified; hours of working during construction and demolition being restricted to between 0800 and 1800 on Mondays to Fridays and between the hours of 0900 and 1300 on Saturdays, with no operations on Sundays and Bank Holidays; the submission of a Construction Management Strategy, including the location of site compounds and operative/visitors parking, details of site security and safety measures, lorry waiting and wheel washing facilities, signage to prevent use of Newlands Lane beyond the school access, and details of any construction accesses and management of the site access to avoid peak school times; and measures to prevent mud and debris being taken onto the public highway;

(b)       the Memorandum of Understanding set out in (a) above will require that the applicants and Kent Highways and Transportation monitor safe crossing measures for the Pysons Road/Margate Road Junction and pursue any necessary improvements required by Kent Highways and Transportation; and         

(c)       the applicant be advised by Informative that:-

(i)        their attention is drawn to the letter from Public Rights of Way which contains general informatives with regard to works adjacent to and/or on a Public Right of Way. It is also advised that the granting of planning permission confers on the developer no other permission or consent or right to close or divert any Public Right of Way at any time without the express permission of the Highways Authority;

(ii)     their a attention is drawn to the letter from KCC Highways and Transportation in which it is noted that it is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that all necessary highway approvals and consents where required are obtained and that the limits of the highway boundary are clearly established in order to avoid any enforcement action being taken by the Highway Authority. The applicant must also ensure that the details shown on the approved plans agree in every aspect with those approved under such legislation and common law. It is therefore important for the applicant to contact KCC Highways and Transportation to progress this aspect of the works prior to commencement; and

(iii)  the potential for biodiversity enhancement opportunities should be further explored.