Minutes:
EXEMPT ITEMS
(Open Access to Minutes)
(Members resolved under Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972 that the public be excluded for the following business on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 5 and 6 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act)
1. The Head of Planning Applications introduced the report which covered the work of the Planning Enforcement Team since 30 January 2024. She said 7 strategic cases and a further additional site accounted for more than half of the current workload and those sites were being prioritised.
2. Members discussed the activities at Raspberry Hill Park Farm, Hoads Wood, Swanton Lane, and Warden Point/Third Avenue, Eastchurch and the recent press coverage for some of these sites.
3. Mr Chittenden said for many years planning enforcement had been understaffed and expressed the need for more resource within planning enforcement to achieve results.
4. The Planning Enforcement Team Leader gave an update on unauthorised (or part unauthorised) planning enforcement matters setting out actions taken or contemplated at Hoads Wood, Bethersden, Ashford; Swanton Lane, Littlebourne, Canterbury; Ancient Woodland Adjacent to Knoxfield Caravan Site, Dartford; Oaktree Farm, London Road, Halstead; Warden Point/Third Avenue, Eastchurch, Isle of Sheppey; Raspberry Hill Park Farm, Iwade; Manor Farm, Willow Lane, Paddock Wood; Knowle Farm, Malling Road, Teston; Court Paddock Farm, Ightham; Former Travel Lodge/Brother Hood Woods, Boughton Bypass Dunkirk; The Pines Nursery, Gravel Castle Road, Barham; Pike Road/Thornton Kennels, Tilmanstone; Shelford Landfill, Broad Oak Road, Canterbury; Cube Metals, Unit A, Highfield Industrial Estate, Bradley Road, Folkestone; R S Skips, Apex Business Park, Shorne; East Kent Recycling, Oare Creek, Faversham; Borough Green Sandpits, Platt; Wrotham Quarry (Addington Sandpit), Addington, West Malling; H & H Celcon, Ightham.
5. In relation to Hoads Wood, Bethersden, the Committee agreed that the recommendation at paragraph 22 of the report be amended.
6. In relation to Warden Point, the Committee agreed that the recommendation at paragraph 42 of the report be amended.
7. In relation to Raspberry Hill Park Farm, the Committee agreed that the recommendation at paragraph 51 of the report be amended.
8. The Committee agreed that an additional meeting of the Regulation Committee be arranged, to consider a report setting out a planning enforcement framework to include:
• The legal framework available to the Council and other regulatory parties in addressing the strategic cases linked to alleged waste crime cases.
• A cost and resource assessment.
• Collaborative working with other regulatory parties.
• Counsel’s opinion regarding Raspberry Hill Park Farm.
And delegation be given to the Chair of the Committee regarding flexibility over the timing of the meeting in accordance with Member and Officer availability.
9. RESOLVED that:
a) Subject to paragraphs 5, 6 and 7 above the enforcement strategies outlined in paragraphs 16 to 128 of the report be noted and endorsed; and
b) An additional meeting of the Regulation Committee be arranged to consider a report setting out a planning enforcement framework.