Agenda item

(1)            Mr A R Bassam made a declaration of Personal Interest as the former Chairman of Governors of the Axton Chase School. He took no part in the decision-making process.

(2)            Mr T A Maddison and Mr J I Muckle explained that they both knew Dr Howard Stoate, MP who had objected to the Proposal. They did not declare an Interest as Dr Stoate had objected in his capacity as a Member of Parliament.

(3)            A letter from Mr P Ramsey dated 12 May 2009 had previously been circulated to all Members of the Committee together with correspondence from Mr C Anderson dated 19 May 2009, which appended letters from Synergy Planning and Property Consultants dated 20 March 2009 and 16 April 2009.  

(4)            The Head of Planning Applications Group reported late correspondence from Southfleet Parish Council, a local resident in Essex Drive and further correspondence from and on behalf of local residents in Main Road.

(5)            Mr P Ramsey, a local resident and Mr A Street from Synergy (on behalf of Mr G Anderson, a local resident) spoke in opposition to the Proposal.  Mr J Thatham of Jestico and Whiles and Mr F Green, Chief Executive – Leigh Academies spoke in reply.

(6)            On being put to the vote, the recommendations of the Head of Planning Applications Group were carried by 11 votes to 1 with 1 Abstention.

(7)             RESOLVED that the application be referred to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government as a departure from the Development Plan and that subject to her decision permission be granted to the proposal subject to conditions, including conditions covering the 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; details of all external lighting; a scheme of landscaping, including hard surfacing, its implementation and maintenance; provision of a landscaped buffer zone adjacent to the eastern car parking area; measures to protect those trees to be retained; a habitat/biodiversity enhancement strategy, including monitoring and management; protection of badgers from construction activities; submission of protected species surveys and subsequent mitigation; no tree removal during the bird breeding season; the development according with the recommendations of the ecological survey; details of fencing, gates and means of enclosure, including colour finishes; archaeological works; “Secured by Design” principles being adopted; a BREEAM rating of ‘Very Good’ being achieved; the playing field being provided and marked out as shown on the proposed site plan; the submission of a playing field improvement scheme; details of the protective fencing to be erected around the existing playing field during construction; protection and future retention of playing fields; a community use agreement relating to use of the indoor and outdoor facilities, including hours of use; implementation and ongoing review of a revised School Travel Plan; the development being carried out in accordance with the Flood Risk Assessment; further works with regards to contaminated land; noise restrictions on fixed plant; no flood lighting being erected on the multi-use games area, or elsewhere on the site without the written permission of the County Planning Authority; 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; the provision of a construction management plan, including access, 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.